As China continues to optimize its visa policies, the China Online Visa applications(COVA) photo requirements in 2025 have also seen some updates. This guide will walk you through the latest specifications, photo tips, and common pitfalls to help ensure your visa photo gets approved the first time.
📸 Section 1: China visa Photo Requirements
For China Online Visa applications(COVA) submitted in the United States, only a digital photo is required. Once uploaded successfully with your visa application form, no printed photo is needed.
The easiest solution? Take a photo with your phone and edit it to meet the official standards.
Basic Photo Specifications:
- White background
- Forehead must be fully visible (hair should not cover the forehead)
- Closed lips and no teeth showing
⚠️ Section 2: Important Notes
- AI-generated photos are prohibited (Some consulates have started detecting these)
- Avoid wearing glasses if possible
- Wear dark-colored clothing for better contrast
- Infant photos: Lying-down shots are allowed (use a white sheet as background), but eyes should ideally be open
- No government uniforms allowed, including military, police, or any attire with official insignia
- Religious head coverings are allowed, as long as facial features remain visible
- Do not use the same photo as your passport — the visa photo must be different
🎨 Section 3: How to Make a White Background
There are many free apps available to remove photo backgrounds. Choose whichever suits you best.
But the easiest method? Use the built-in background remover on your iPhone — no app or computer required!
✅ iPhone Background Removal – Step-by-Step (Free & Fast)
⏱ Time Required: About 30 seconds
đź’ˇ Advantages: Free, quick, no extra downloads
Step-by-step:
1, Open your iPhone Photo Album → Select a clear photo
2, Long-press on the subject until the outline glows → Tap “Copy” from the pop-up menu
3, Open the iphone Notes app → Start a new blank note → Long-press and select “Paste”
Export PNG with transparent background: Tap the Share button and select “Save Image” — you now have a photo with a white (transparent) background! And It was successfully uploaded.
Once uploaded into the China visa application form, use the cropping tool in the system to align your image properly.
Please Note: Sometime the downloaded image is in PNG format with a transparent background. When you upload, the background maybe black, Don’t worry, you can simply open the PNG image and save it in JPG format. Since JPG does not support transparency, it will automatically fill the transparent background with white.
Want Someone to Handle the Application Process for You?
If you are short on time or simply do not want to deal with the online application yourself, Visit China Visa Center provides all-inclusive China visa application assistance.
Our All-Inclusive Service Can Include:
- Help completing the online application
- Free consultation
- Free photo cropping and formatting
- Document printing
- Application review
- Checklist and document guidance
- In-person passport submission
- Passport pickup
- Secure return shipping options
- No credit card processing fees
- No hidden service fees
For China visa, Our service fees are typically $155–$255, depending on processing speed.
For Canton fair, the fee will be depend on service you select.
Official government visa fees are separate and are typically $140–$165, depending on the applicant and current government fee schedule.
Refund Guarantee
If your visa is not granted, our service fee is eligible for a full refund under our service guarantee and applicable terms.
How to Start with our all inclusive China visa service
1: Place Your Order
2: Start With Our China visa Short Form
Complete the China Visa Short Form
Have questions?
Call: 202-202-2888
Email: service@visitchinavisa.com
Important Disclaimer
Visit China Visa Center is a private visa application assistance and courier service. We are not a government agency, law firm, or representative of the Chinese government.
Processing times, visa requirements, fees, and eligibility rules are subject to change and remain under the control of the Chinese embassy or consulate.
All visa decisions are made solely by the appropriate Chinese embassy or consulate.
Our service fees are separate from official government visa fees.
For the latest official requirements, applicants should always refer to the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for their jurisdiction.
