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May 29, 2026 · Country Guide
The China National Immigration Administration (CNID) governs photo requirements for the Chinese ordinary passport (burgundy cover). Requirements follow the ICAO biometric standard — 35×45mm, plain white background, no glasses — with a specific face height range of 28–33mm. This guide covers CNID requirements, the ePassport IC chip, and important notes on Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan travel documents.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45 mm (width × height) |
| Background | Plain white, uniform, no shadows |
| Face height | 28–33 mm (chin to top of head, not hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted (banned since 2015) |
| Recency | Taken within 6 months |
| Colour | Full colour — no black-and-white |
| Retouching | Not permitted — must be a natural likeness |
| Format | JPEG digital or photographic print |
| Authority | China National Immigration Administration (CNID) |
Source: China National Immigration Administration (CNID) — nia.gov.cn
One of the most specific Chinese passport photo requirements is the face height— measured from the chin to the top of the head (not the top of the hair). This measurement must fall between 28mm and 33mm within the 35×45mm photo frame.
Unlike some countries that measure head height (chin to top of hair), CNID measures to the top of the cranium. This distinction matters particularly for applicants with high or voluminous hair styles, who may need to position their head lower in the frame to comply.
The face must be centred horizontally. Both eyes must be open and clearly visible, and the camera must be at eye level — no angled or tilted head positions.
China banned glasses in passport photos in 2015, aligning with the ICAO biometric standard. All types of glasses must be removed before taking your passport photo, including:
Contact lenses are permitted provided they do not change your natural eye colour and do not cause visible tinting or red-eye effects in the photo.
CNID requires a plain white background — not off-white, not light grey, and not light blue. The background must be uniformly lit with no shadows, patterns, gradients, or objects visible behind the subject.
Your face must clearly contrast with the white background. Applicants with very pale skin or white hair should take particular care to ensure adequate contrast, using slightly off-angle lighting if needed to separate the face from the background without creating shadows.
China issues biometric ePassports with an embedded IC chip. The chip stores the holder's facial biometric data — extracted from the photo submitted at application. This enables automated facial recognition at e-gates in China and at international borders.
The Chinese ordinary passport (普通护照) is the standard travel document for Chinese citizens. The diplomatic passport and official passport use the same photo format but are issued through different government channels. All types of Chinese passports are valid for 10 yearsfor adults and 5 years for children under 16.
Note: Residents of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan use separate travel documents issued by their respective authorities — not the mainland Chinese ordinary passport.
Each of the following jurisdictions issues its own travel document with separate photo requirements:
If you hold one of these documents rather than a mainland Chinese ordinary passport, consult the issuing authority's specific photo requirements.
For Chinese passport renewals and new applications, the biometric photo is typically captured on-site at a Public Security Bureau (PSB) exit-and-entry administration office. Private photography studios may supply the printed photo, but must use certified equipment that produces the correct 33×48mm biometric format with a white background.
Citizens book appointments online via the National Immigration Administration app (国家移民管理局) or the official NIA portal, which specifies whether photo capture is done at the counter or an external photo must be brought. Chinese citizens abroad apply through consulates and embassies, where the 33×48mm format standard still applies.
Chinese citizens travelling to Schengen countries on a short-stay visa must bring a photo that conforms to the EU/ICAO standard: 35×45mm — a different format from the 33×48mm used for the Chinese passport. Key requirements:
| Country | Size | Face/head height | Background | Max photo age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 35×45mm | Face 28–33mm | Plain white | 6 months |
| Japan | 35×45mm | Head 32–36mm | Plain white | 6 months |
| South Korea | 35×45mm | Head 32–36mm | White only | 6 months |
| Singapore | 35×45mm | Head 25–35mm | White only | 6 months |
| India | 35×45mm | Head 25–35mm | Plain white | 6 months |
All countries listed are ICAO signatories and issue biometric ePassports. Always verify current requirements with the official authority before submitting.
Chinese ordinary passport photos must be 35×45mm (width × height), following the ICAO standard. The face height (chin to top of head, not including hair) must be 28–33mm within the photo.
No. CNID banned glasses in passport photos in 2015, in line with the ICAO biometric standard. All types of glasses — including prescription and reading glasses — must be removed.
The background must be plain white. Unlike some countries that accept off-white or light grey, CNID requires a uniform plain white background with no shadows, patterns, or colour variations.
No. Hong Kong SAR residents use a HKSAR passport issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. Macau SAR residents use a Macau SAR passport. Taiwan residents use a Republic of China (ROC) passport issued by MOFA Taiwan. These are separate travel documents with their own application processes.
In a Chinese passport photo (35×45mm), the face height — measured from chin to the top of the head (not the top of the hair) — must be between 28mm and 33mm. The face must be centred horizontally in the frame.
Yes. Chinese citizens living abroad can apply for or renew their ordinary passport at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. The same photo requirements apply: 35×45mm, white background, face height 28–33mm, no glasses, taken within 6 months.
Always verify current requirements with China National Immigration Administration (CNID) at nia.gov.cn or your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. Requirements are subject to change. This guide is for informational purposes only.
Eugen Schnellbach
Founder of ID Wizard · Optician · Cross-border commuter CH/DE
As an optician, Eugen advises customers every day on the image requirements for official documents. As a cross-border commuter between Switzerland and Germany, he knows the requirements of both countries’ authorities first-hand.
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