China Foreigner Residence Permit Photo (外国人居留证件, 33 x 48 mm): size and requirements
The China Foreigner Residence Permit Photo size is 33 x 48 mm (1.3 x 1.89 inches). 相片背景色为均匀白色，浅灰色或淡蓝色 (uniform white, light grey or light blue); head 63 to 71 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-10-07 against National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局).
For the printed photo handed in with a foreigner's residence permit application, extension, renewal or replacement at an exit-entry administration office in mainland China. Not for a Chinese visa applied for abroad, which uses the MFA template with a smaller head.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 33 x 48 mm (1.3 x 1.89 inches)
- Head height
- Head 63 to 71 percent of the photo height (头部高度 30-34 (mm), 脸部宽度 16-24 (mm); 相片尺寸 33X48, 相片有效区域 30X40)
- Background
- 相片背景色为均匀白色，浅灰色或淡蓝色 (uniform white, light grey or light blue)
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Allowed without glare or tint
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Prints needed
- 1
- We deliver
- 390 x 567 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckThe residence permit uses the NIA passport template (33 x 48 mm, head 30 to 34 mm), not the MFA visa template you used for your visa abroad (head 28 to 33 mm). The two are the same paper size but a different crop.
- CheckThe NIA guide applies the same rules to every exit-entry document, 含签证、居留许可等, so one 33 x 48 photo serves the permit and any in-country visa extension.
- CheckDark, collared clothing and no uniform; uniform lighting with no shadow or hot spot on the face; nothing and nobody else in frame.
Source and verification
Read from the official page and translated by us. Last checked 2026-10-07 at National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局).
2、填写外国人签证证件申请表，交一张符合《出入境证件相片照相指引》标准的照片；
本指引依据国际民航组织DOC 9303文件制定，适用于公安机关出入境管理部门受理各类出入境证件（含签证、居留许可等）申请时对申请人相片的要求。
相片尺寸:33X48
头部高度30-34
相片背景色为均匀白色，浅灰色或淡蓝色
近期（六个月以内）彩色相片
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.
Frequently asked questions
