Quick answer: A China residence permit photo must be 33 × 48 mm with plain white background. Head occupies 50–66% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
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| Format | 33 × 48 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–66% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Plain white background. |
| 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. |
| Digital resolution | Check the authority portal before digital upload |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | min 20 KB · max 80 KB |
| 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.
China residence permit (居留许可 / jūliú xǔkě) photos are administered by the Public Security Bureau (PSB / 公安局) Entry-Exit Administration. The format is 33×48mm — UNIQUE same as Chinese visa (different from ICAO 35×45 or 51×51).
Uniform background with no gradient: white, light grey or light blue. JPEG 20-80 KB for digital submission, 24-bit RGB, paper photos scanned at 300 DPI or better.
Z-visa holders apply for the residence permit within 30 days of arrival in China; validity 90 days to 5 years based on employment contract. Photo captured on-site at the PSB office during biometric capture (fingerprints + photo).
| Authority | National Immigration Administration of China |
|---|---|
| Source | Guidelines for Travel Documents Photographs (出入境证件相片照相指引), 2011 |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — exact |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for China residence permit applications. The final decision always belongs to National Immigration Administration of China, but these are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Upload a portrait — the tool crops, removes the background and checks compliance against the 33 × 48 mm rule automatically.
Plain white background. Plain, evenly lit, no shadow or texture. The photo is bound to your active legal residence status — immigration reviewers compare your live appearance to the photo at submission appointments, so quality matters.
Use daylight from a window in front of you. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadow under the brow. Many residence permit reviewers run an automated check before the in-person appointment — uneven lighting fails this check.
Camera at eye level, head straight, looking at the lens. Even a 5° tilt is grounds for rejection at the automated review stage. Place your phone on a stack of books to keep it steady.
Square shoulders, both visible. Centre your head in the frame. Residence permit applications often require both a digital upload AND a physical print — the same photo must work in both formats.
Glasses permitted only if eyes are fully visible and there are no reflections Removing glasses is the safest option for residence permit photos because the document validity is tied to legal status checks that may happen years later.
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. Residence permit photos are biometrically compared during status renewals — match the neutral expression style of an existing passport photo so future renewals do not flag inconsistency.
Solid dark colours that contrast with the background. Avoid uniforms, religious headwear except where permanently worn, and any clothing or accessories that cover the neckline or face.
Use a photo taken within the last three months. Residence permits are tied to active legal status — submitting an older photo, even one that technically meets the dimension rule, frequently triggers manual review and slows the application.
National Immigration Administration of China publishes the following rejection codes. Knowing the exact code on your notice tells you precisely what to fix in the reshoot.
| Code | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
CN-RP-01 |
Photo not 33×48mm (Chinese unique size) | Reprint at China-specific 33×48mm |
CN-RP-02 |
Digital file outside 20-80 KB | Re-encode within the 20-80 KB range published by NIA |
CN-RP-03 |
Background patterns or shadows | Re-shoot against plain white backdrop |
CN-RP-04 |
Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
Residence permits are tied to your active legal status. Most authorities require a photo taken within the last three months — older photos, even ones that look similar to your current appearance, are routinely rejected.
Plain white background is required. Immigration submission portals run a strict automated background check. Patterned wallpaper, off-white shade or shadow gradient are all rejection triggers.
Reusing your existing passport photo for a residence permit application is a common rejection cause. Even if dimensions match, immigration authorities typically require a fresh photo for each application.
Head must be straight and centred. Tilt above 3–5° fails the ICAO alignment check applied at both the automated pre-screening and the in-person biometric appointment.
If you have noticeably changed hair, weight, beard or facial features since the photo was taken, the immigration reviewer will reject the photo at the in-person submission stage and require a new one.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye area, or any clothing that covers the chin or face cause rejection at the automated stage. Religious head covering is acceptable only when permanently worn and documented in the application.
Smile, raised eyebrows or parted lips cause rejection. Residence permit photos must use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports.
The China residence permit photo must be 33 × 48 mm. The head must occupy 50–66% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Plain white background. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns or off-white shades typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the China immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
Anfas.Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. The final decision to accept or reject a document photo rests solely with the issuing authority. Requirements change — always verify on the official authority portal before submitting.