head 50–66 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceNational Immigration Administration of China
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended China permanent residence card photo size is 33 × 48 mm. Plain white background. Head occupies 50–66% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 33 × 48 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–66% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Plain white background. Make photo background white — China permanent residence card → |
| Pose | Full face, looking directly into the camera, head and shoulders fully visible. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. |
| Glasses | Glasses permitted only if eyes are fully visible and there are no reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 33 × 48 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.3 × 4.8 cm |
| Inches | 1.3 × 1.89″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 390 × 567 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 780 × 1134 px |
China permanent residence card (中国绿卡 / "Chinese Green Card") photos are administered by the Public Security Bureau / National Immigration Administration (NIA). The format follows the Chinese 33×48mm standard with white background.
China's permanent residence card is one of the particularly restrictive — historically requiring 5 years of continuous residency, married 5+ years to Chinese citizen, or significant investment. Applications include in-person biometric capture (photo + fingerprints) at NIA/PSB offices.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons China permanent residence card photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements National Immigration Administration of China publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo not 33×48mm | Reprint at Chinese unique size |
| Background not pure white | Re-shoot against white backdrop |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 50–66 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 33 × 48 mm.
Glasses only if no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 9 (3 × 3) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | National Immigration Administration of China |
|---|---|
| Source | China entry-exit document photo upload guide |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the China permanent residence card photo is 33 × 48 mm. The head occupies 50–66% of the photo height.
Usually no older than six months; some immigration offices ask for a more recent one. Take a new photo that looks like you on the day you apply.
Plain white background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Only if the size and rules are the same and the photo is still recent. Otherwise take a new one: the same selfie can be turned into photos for both documents.
Take a new photo: it should show how you look now — hairstyle, beard, glasses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the China immigration office.
33 × 48 mm = 3.3 × 4.8 cm = 1.3 × 1.89 inches. At 300 dpi that is 390 × 567 pixels; at 600 dpi, 780 × 1134 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.