Quick answer: This China work permit preset uses 33 × 48 mm with plain white background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, see glasses rule. It is based on official general guidance; verify the final submission route on the authority portal. Last verified .
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| Format | 33 × 48 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| 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 | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| Digital resolution | Check the authority portal before digital upload |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | Check the authority portal before upload |
China work permit (外国人工作许可证) photos are administered by the **State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs / SAFEA** (now under Ministry of Science and Technology). The format follows the Chinese 33×48mm standard with white background. Three-tier system: Class A (high-end foreign talent), Class B (foreign professional personnel), Class C (ordinary foreign workers). Work permit application is the first step — after issuance, applicant applies for the Z visa abroad, then converts to residence permit within 30 days of China entry. Photo submitted via the foreign experts services portal.
| Authority | State Council of China / Foreigner Work Permit system |
|---|---|
| Source | Foreign Investment Guide of the People's Republic of China (2024) |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — general |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for China work permit applications. The final decision always belongs to State Council of China / Foreigner Work Permit system, 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. Use a flat, evenly lit light-coloured wall. Work permit applications typically pass through both automated and manual review — inconsistent backgrounds fail the automated stage and slow the entire process.
Even frontal daylight from a window. Avoid mixed light sources (window + ceiling light) — they create colour casts that the automated colour-check stage rejects.
Camera at eye level, head straight, eyes looking directly at the lens. Work permit photos use the same alignment standard as passports — a 5° head tilt fails automated screening.
Square shoulders, both visible. Head and upper shoulders centred in the frame. Work permits are often reused across border crossings — proportional consistency with your passport photo helps verification.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections Remove glasses for the shoot. Work permit photos are used at workplace verification and border control over the permit's validity — any glare risk compounds over time.
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. Work permit biometric data is compared against passport biometric data at border control — match the same neutral expression you used (or would use) for your passport photo.
Civilian clothing only — no work uniforms, military or law-enforcement clothing, branded company attire, or any clothing that obscures the neckline. Religious head covering is allowed only where it is permanently worn.
Submit a photo taken within the last six months. Many work permit authorities also accept a recent passport photo for the application — verify the dimensions match 33 × 48 mm before reusing.
State Council of China / Foreigner Work Permit system 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-WP-01 |
Photo not 33×48mm | Reprint at Chinese unique size |
CN-WP-02 |
Digital file outside 40-120KB | Re-encode within limits |
CN-WP-03 |
Background not pure white | Re-shoot against white backdrop |
Work permit photos must show you in civilian clothing. Uniforms (military, law-enforcement, medical, hospitality), branded company attire, or any work-specific accessories are routinely rejected.
Plain white background is required. Work permit applications pass through both automated and manual review — inconsistent backgrounds fail the automated stage and slow the entire application timeline.
Head must be straight and centred. Work permit photos use the same ICAO biometric standard as passports — head tilt above 3–5° fails automated screening.
Both eyes must be fully visible with no lens glare. Tinted lenses, hair across the eye area, or shadow under the brow ridge all cause automated rejection.
Smile, raised eyebrows or parted lips cause rejection. Work permit biometric data is checked at border crossings against your passport biometric template — match the same neutral expression.
Most work permit authorities require a photo taken within the last six months. Reusing a passport photo from a previous year, even if it technically meets the dimension rule, is grounds for rejection.
Blur, overexposure, low resolution or visible compression artefacts cause rejection. The submission system requires minimum resolution and file size limits — see the spec table above for exact values.
This China work permit preset uses 33 × 48 mm based on the official guidance available for this route. Use the 70–80% head-height profile unless the authority portal gives a more specific instruction. Work permit applications typically use the same biometric standard as passports for the China authority.
Sometimes. If your visa or passport photo was taken within the last six months and matches the work permit profile, reusing it may be acceptable. Check the spec table above and the source authority page for any work-permit-specific differences.
Plain white background. Even, shadow-free lighting is critical because work permits often go through both automated and manual review stages, and any inconsistency between them slows the application.
Most work permit applications accept photos taken within the last six months. Submit a photo that reflects your current appearance because the permit card is checked at workplaces and border crossings throughout its validity period.
No. Uniforms, military or law-enforcement clothing, religious headwear (except for permanent religious exception), or any clothing that obscures the neckline is typically rejected for China work permit photos.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the China work permit authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice. The refund covers the €4.99 download fee.
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.