COVA (China Online Visa Application): known issues

COVA (China Online Visa Application) is the portal in China used for Chinese Visa Photo for COVA Online Application. We list 1 message it shows when a photo upload fails, why each appears and what to change before uploading again, each traced to the portal's own wording or a verified user report. The portal and its staff make the final decision on every photo.

Official page: https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/201612/t20161206_4410998.htm

Messages and what to do

1. COVA automatic photo check refuses the file

   First step: Re-crop so the face size is right even if that trims some hair at the top; the MFA says the voluminous hair can be trimmed off.

Documents submitted through this portal

• Chinese Visa Photo for COVA Online Application (digital upload)

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.