Chinese Passport
Photo Requirements
Australia 2025
中国护照照片要求
ZH-CN · PASSPORT PHOTO GUIDE
Living in Australia and need to renew your Chinese passport or apply for a Chinese visa? Chinese photo specs are completely different from Australian requirements - this guide covers every official rule from the Chinese Consulate.
Quick Reference · Chinese Consulate 2025
Photo size33 × 48 mm
Head height (chin–crown)28–33 mm
BackgroundPure white only
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed
Ear visibilityBoth ears required
GlassesThin-rimmed only
Photo ageWithin 6 months
Digital (COVA)40–120 KB JPEG
Print qualityGlossy, professional
33 mm
48 mm
What’s in this guide
Chinese photos are 33×48mm - not standard Australian size
The most common mistake is using Australian-sized prints (35–40×45–50mm) for Chinese applications. Chinese consulates strictly enforce 33×48mm and will reject any other size.
White background ONLY - grey is rejected
Unlike Australian photos which accept light grey, Chinese consulates require pure white. Off-white and light grey will be rejected without exception.
Real results
Your photo, compliant.
Drag the slider to see exactly how we turn an everyday selfie into a Chinese-consulate-compliant 33×48mm photo.
Common mistakes
Consulate-ready
Before
After
33 × 48 mm · Pure white · Both ears visible
Original photo
PassPhoto result
Grey background
Ear hidden by hair
Pure white bg
Both ears visible
Drag to compare · Touch-friendly
Photo size
33 × 48 mm
Background
Pure white
Both ears
Required
Detailed requirements
Every rule, explained clearly.
The Chinese Consulate checks every one of these. Miss even one and your application will be delayed or rejected.
01 · SIZE
Photo Size - 33 × 48mm
Chinese passport photos are 33mm wide and 48mm high - a unique size not shared by Australian, UK or US passports. Your face (chin to crown) must measure 28–33mm, filling about 65–75% of the photo height. The face must be horizontally centred.
Do not use standard Australian 35×45mm. They will be rejected without exception.
02 · BACKGROUND
Pure White Background
The background must be pure white - not cream, not off-white, not light grey. Chinese consulates use colour-matching tools to verify background purity. Even slightly grey or warm-toned backgrounds will fail.
Stand at least 1 metre from the wall. No shadows on the background.
03 · EXPRESSION
Neutral Expression
Your expression must be completely neutral - no smiling, no frowning, no raised eyebrows. Mouth must be closed. Eyes fully open, looking directly at the camera lens, not the preview screen.
Head tilt <20° left/right, <25° downward. Straight forward only.
04 · EARS
Both Ears Must Be Visible
This is a specific Chinese requirement not required by Australian passports. Both ears must be clearly visible. Hair must be pulled back or pinned away from the ears. Long hair covering one or both ears will cause rejection.
Check both ears are fully visible. This is frequently overlooked.
05 · LIGHTING
Uniform Lighting
Lighting must be uniform across your entire face. No shadows on the face or the background. Natural skin tones must be accurately represented. Flash photography that creates bright spots is not acceptable.
Overcast natural daylight or two balanced light sources - no single flash.
06 · GLASSES
Glasses - Different from Australian Rules
Unlike Australia which bans all glasses, Chinese rules technically allow thin-rimmed, non-tinted glasses with non-reflective lenses - provided frames do not cover the eyes. In practice most consulates prefer no glasses and may reject regardless.
Safest approach: remove glasses. Sunglasses, tinted, thick frames always rejected.
07 · FOREHEAD
Forehead Must Be Visible
Your entire forehead must be clearly visible - no fringe or bangs covering any part of the forehead. The Chinese photo specification requires the hairline to be visible as part of proper head height measurement and facial recognition.
Pin back hair away from forehead. Both eyebrows must be visible.
08 · EDITING
No Photo Manipulation
Photos must be completely unedited. The Chinese government’s COVA system uses automated image analysis to detect manipulation including background replacement, skin smoothing, red-eye removal and colour adjustments.
Original photo only. No beauty filters, no background removal, no editing.
09 · PASSPORT MATCH
Cannot Match Existing Passport Photo
Your new photos must not be identical to, or closely similar to, the photos used in your current or previous passport. If you are renewing, you need genuinely new photos taken recently - not copies of old ones.
Take fresh photos. Do not reuse images from your current passport application.
Critical difference
Chinese vs Australian -
not the same.
These are the two most commonly confused specifications. Chinese and Australian passport photos are fundamentally different - using the wrong one will result in rejection.
Chinese Passport / Visa Photo
For Chinese consulate and visa applications
Photo size33 × 48 mm
Head height28–33 mm
BackgroundPure white ONLY
Ears visibleBoth ears required
GlassesThin non-reflective permitted
ForeheadMust be fully visible
DigitalJPEG, 40–120KB
Same as current passport?Cannot match
Australian Passport Photo
For Australian Passport Office
Photo size35–40 × 45–50 mm Different
Head height32–36 mm Different
BackgroundWhite OR light grey Different
Ears visibleNot explicitly required
GlassesBanned entirely Stricter
ForeheadShould be visible
DigitalJPEG, 600 dpi min
Same as current passport?Not restricted
Quick reference
Do’s & Don’ts for Chinese photos.
You MUST do this
Photo size exactly 33mm wide × 48mm high
Pure white background - not grey, not cream
Both ears fully visible
Forehead clearly visible - no fringe
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look directly at the camera lens
Uniform lighting, no shadows on face or background
Colour photo (RGB 24-bit true colour)
Taken within the last 6 months
High-resolution professional print, no marks
You must NEVER do this
Use standard Australian-sized prints (35–40×45–50mm)
Use a grey or off-white background
Let hair cover your ears
Wear sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed glasses
Smile or open your mouth
Have shadows on your face or the background
Edit, filter or retouch the photo in any way
Submit a black and white photo
Use the same photo as your current passport
Print on inkjet paper - professional print required
Avoid rejection
Why Chinese passport photos
get rejected in Australia.
The most common reasons Chinese consulates in Sydney and Melbourne reject photos submitted by Australian-based applicants.
01
Wrong photo size - using Australian dimensions
The most common mistake. AusPost and Officeworks produce Australian-sized prints (35–40×45–50mm). Chinese photos must be exactly 33×48mm. Even a few millimetres difference is rejected.
Order 33×48mm
02
Grey or off-white background
Australian photo studios often use light grey backgrounds which are fine for Australian passports. Chinese consulates require pure white only. Even subtle warm tones or grey casts will fail.
Pure white only
03
Hair covering one or both ears
Chinese requirements explicitly state both ears must be visible. Long hair covering ears is the second most common rejection cause for female applicants in Australia. Hair must be pulled back or pinned to reveal ears.
Pin hair back
04
Photo identical to current passport
Chinese rules specifically prohibit using the same photo as your existing passport. For renewals, you must take genuinely new photos - not copies, not re-prints of your current passport photo.
Fresh photos only
05
Shadows on face or background
Single-source lighting, overhead flash or proximity to background walls all create shadows. The Chinese consulate’s automated systems flag even subtle shadows that human reviewers might overlook.
Stand 1m from wall
06
Digitally edited photo
The COVA system uses automated image analysis to detect manipulation. Background replacement, skin smoothing, red-eye correction and beauty filters all fail detection.
Original photo only
07
Incorrect digital file size (COVA)
For online COVA applications, the file must be JPEG, 40–120KB, and 354–420 × 472–560 pixels. Photos outside this range are rejected by the automated system before a human reviews them.
40–120KB JPEG
08
Inappropriate glasses
While thin non-reflective glasses are technically permitted, sunglasses, tinted lenses, thick frames, frames covering the eyes, or any glasses causing reflections or glare are rejected. Most consulates now reject all glasses in practice.
Remove glasses
Step by step
How to take your Chinese
passport photo at home.
You can take the photo yourself - but you still need professional printing at the correct 33×48mm size. Follow these steps for a consulate-accepted result.
STEP 01
Set up a pure white background
Hang a white bedsheet, use a white wall, or tape white poster board behind you. The background must be pure white - not cream, not grey, not yellow-tinted from warm room lighting. Check in camera live view before shooting.
Pro tip: A daylight-balanced LED or shooting near a north-facing window on a bright day gives the truest white. Warm incandescent bulbs add a yellow cast that fails colour-matching at the consulate.
STEP 02
Stand at least 1 metre from the background
This is the most important setup step. If you’re too close to the wall, your body casts shadows on the background - an automatic rejection for Chinese photos. Stand or sit at least 100cm from the wall behind you.
Pro tip: Use two light sources - one on each side of your face at 45° angles and equal distance. This eliminates facial shadows. If outdoors, face diffused cloud-filtered daylight.
STEP 03
Pin your hair back - reveal both ears
This step is unique to Chinese passport photos. Both ears must be fully visible. If you have long hair, pull it behind both ears or tie it back. Your forehead hairline must also be visible - no fringe across the forehead.
Important: This is the second most common rejection reason in Australia. Check in a mirror that both ears are fully visible before shooting.
STEP 04
Position camera at eye level
Camera or phone must be exactly at eye level - not above (causes you to look down) or below (causes upward tilt). Your face should be centred and fill the frame so the 33×48mm crop gives 28–33mm head height.
Pro tip: Disable all beauty/enhancement modes. Turn off Portrait Mode, Smart HDR, Beauty Mode and Skin Smoothing. These constitute digital manipulation and will be detected and rejected.
STEP 05
Take the photo - check ears, expression, shadows
Look at the camera lens (not the screen). Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes fully open. Head straight forward. Take 10+ shots. Review on a large screen: both ears visible, no shadows, pure white background, straight head position.
Checklist before submitting: Both ears visible · Forehead visible · Pure white background · No shadows · Neutral expression · Not the same as current passport
STEP 06
Upload to PassPhoto - we handle the rest
Upload your home photo to PassPhoto. Our expert team resizes it to the exact 33×48mm Chinese specification, checks every consulate requirement, and delivers professionally printed photos to your Australian door. Digital file sent same day.
Why PassPhoto: Most Australian photo studios don’t know the 33×48mm Chinese spec. PassPhoto pre-loads it automatically. You select China, we apply the exact right dimensions - no measuring, no guessing.
Consulate information
Chinese Consulates in Australia.
Chinese passport renewals and visa applications must be submitted directly to the consulate or through the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). All require 33×48mm photos with white background.
Sydney
Consulate-General
+ CVASC
+ CVASC
Consulate (passport renewal)
39 Dunblane Street, Camperdown NSW 2050
CVASC (visa applications)
Level 16, 59 Goulburn Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
CVASC hours
Mon–Fri · Application: 9:00–14:00 · Collection: 9:00–15:00
Contact
+61 2 9475 8800 · sydcenter@visaforchina.org
Serves
NSW, QLD, ACT, NT
Melbourne
Consulate-General
+ CVASC
+ CVASC
Consulate (passport renewal)
77 Irving Road, Toorak VIC 3142
CVASC (visa applications)
Ground Floor, 570 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
CVASC hours
Mon–Fri · Application: 9:00–14:00 · Collection: 9:00–15:30
Contact
+61 3 9937 2308 · melcenter@visaforchina.org
Serves
VIC, TAS, SA, WA
Brisbane
Consulate-General
Consulate
Level 9, 160 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Important note
Ordinary passport visa applications from QLD are now processed through the Sydney CVASC (59 Goulburn Street, Haymarket)
Photo requirement
Same 33×48mm, white background for all applications
PassPhoto tip
Order online, receive 33×48mm prints at your Brisbane address in 1–2 days - no trip to Sydney required for the photo
Serves
QLD (visa via Sydney CVASC)
Chinese consulates do NOT take passport photos on-site
Unlike Australian post offices, Chinese consulates and the CVASC do not provide photo-taking services. You must arrive with your compliant 33×48mm white-background photos already printed. PassPhoto delivers them to your door before your appointment so you arrive prepared.
Why PassPhoto
Built for Chinese expats
in Australia.
Human Expert Review
Every photo is checked by a trained human expert against the Chinese consulate’s actual requirements - not Australian standards. We know the difference between the two and catch mistakes before you submit.
100%
33×48mm Exact Spec
Pre-loaded Chinese dimensions - no measuring, no guessing, no wrong size.
Acceptance Guarantee
Free reprint if your photos are rejected by the Chinese consulate or CVASC.
Same-Day Digital
COVA-ready digital file emailed same day. Printed photos delivered in 1–2 business days.
Delivered Australia-Wide
Free tracked delivery to any Australian address.
From $8
Digital from $8. Printed and delivered from $10. No hidden fees.
FAQ
Chinese passport photo questions answered.
Everything you need to know about getting the right photo for your Chinese passport or visa application from Australia.
Still have questions? Our team is available to check your photo and ensure it meets all Chinese consulate requirements before printing.
Order now and get expert review →A Chinese passport photo must be exactly 33mm wide × 48mm high. This is unique to Chinese applications and different from Australian passport photos (35–40×45–50mm). Head height must be 28–33mm from chin to crown. For digital COVA applications, the file must be JPEG between 40–120KB, approximately 354–420 × 472–560 pixels.
No. Australian passport photos are the wrong size (35–40×45–50mm vs the required 33×48mm) and often use a light grey background which Chinese consulates reject. You need specifically sized 33×48mm photos with a pure white background for any Chinese passport or visa application.
Pure white only. Light grey backgrounds are explicitly rejected by Chinese consulates. This is one of the most critical differences from Australian requirements. Chinese consulates use colour-matching to verify background purity, and even subtle grey or warm-toned backgrounds will fail.
Yes - this is a specific Chinese requirement. Both ears must be clearly visible, which means hair must not cover either ear. This rule is explicitly stated in Chinese passport and visa photo requirements and is one of the most common rejection causes for female applicants in Australia.
Technically, thin-rimmed, non-tinted glasses with non-reflective lenses are permitted for Chinese passport photos, provided frames do not cover the eyes. This is different from Australian rules which ban all glasses. However, most Chinese consulates strongly prefer no glasses and many will reject regardless. The safest approach is to remove glasses entirely.
Chinese passport renewals in Australia must be submitted directly to the Chinese Consulate General (not the CVASC, which handles visas only). You’ll need: your current passport, valid residency proof, completed application form, and 2–4 passport-sized photos (33×48mm, white background). Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks. Contact the consulate in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane for current requirements.
You can ask, but there’s a significant risk of getting the wrong size. AusPost and Officeworks staff are trained for Australian passport specs and may produce Australian-sized prints even if you ask for Chinese photos. You must explicitly request 33×48mm prints and verify the size before paying. PassPhoto pre-loads the Chinese specification automatically - there is no size confusion possible.
For Chinese visa applications: typically 1 photo required, but bring 2 identical copies in case the online upload fails. For passport renewal: the consulate will advise, but typically 2–4 photos are required. All photos must be identical, taken in the same session. PassPhoto’s print orders include 4 prints which covers most application requirements.
COVA (Chinese Visa Application) is China’s online visa application system. The digital photo must be JPEG format, 40–120KB in size, and 354–420 × 472–560 pixels. The same rules apply: white background, neutral expression, both ears visible, no editing. PassPhoto’s digital photo plan ($8) delivers a COVA-compliant digital file emailed same day.
First, get the specific rejection reason from the consulate - they should provide this in writing. The most common causes are wrong size, grey background, hair covering ears, or photos matching the existing passport. If you ordered through PassPhoto and our photo was rejected for a compliance reason, we will reprint and redeliver at no charge - that’s our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Understanding Chinese Passport Photo Requirements in Australia
For the estimated 1.2 million Chinese-born residents living in Australia, renewing a Chinese passport or applying for a Chinese visa requires navigating photo requirements fundamentally different from those of the Australian Passport Office. The most critical difference is size: according to the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) and the Chinese Consulate General, photos must be exactly 33mm wide by 48mm high — a specification distinct from Australia's 35–40×45–50mm standard.
The background requirement is equally strict. While the Australian Passport Office accepts light grey backgrounds, the Chinese Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — per their official photo guidelines — require pure white only, verified electronically. Off-white, cream or light grey backgrounds that pass at AusPost will be rejected at the Chinese consulate without exception.
The ear visibility requirement is another Chinese-specific rule that catches many applicants by surprise. Unlike Australian, UK and US passport photos, Chinese consulate regulations — as published in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC guidelines — state that both ears must be fully visible. For applicants with long hair, this means hair must be pinned back or tied away from the ears before the photo is taken.
The COVA (China Online Visa Application) system adds a digital photo requirement for online applications. Per COVA technical specifications, the digital file must be JPEG format, between 40 and 120 kilobytes, at a resolution of 354–420 by 472–560 pixels. Photos that pass manual inspection at the consulate window may still fail the automated COVA system if file size or pixel dimensions are outside specification.
PassPhoto was built specifically to solve these problems for expats living in Australia. When you select China as your country, the 33×48mm specification and pure white background requirement are automatically applied before printing — based directly on the official requirements above. Every photo is reviewed by a trained human expert against the Chinese consulate's actual requirements before dispatch. Professional prints are delivered to any Australian address in 1–2 business days from $10, or a COVA-ready digital file is emailed the same day from $8.
Related countries
Also need photos for another country?
Each country has different requirements. Click to see the full guide.
Your Chinese passport photo,
done right - first time.
done right - first time.
Expert-reviewed. Exact 33×48mm. Pure white background. Delivered to your door or emailed same day.