My visa photo was rejected because I smiled. China takes passport photos very seriously.

ChinaTravelMemo

My friend from Brazil applied for a Chinese tourist visa in São Paulo. She submitted her application with a photo she took at a local studio.

It was rejected.

The reason:

She was smiling.

Chinese visa photos require a neutral expression. No smile. No teeth showing. No raised eyebrows. You must look like you're about to have your mugshot taken.

Chinese visa photo requirements:

Size: 33mm x 48mm (not the standard US 2x2 inch)
Background: White or light blue only
Expression: Neutral. No smile. Mouth closed. Eyes open.
Head position: Face the camera directly. No tilt.
Glasses: Allowed if you wear them daily, but no tinted lenses. No glare.
Head covering: Only for religious reasons, and the full face must be visible.
Photo age: Taken within the last 6 months.

Common rejection reasons:

• Smiling (the #1 reason)
• Wrong size (US passport photos are too square)
• Dark background
• Wearing a hat (unless religious)
• Photo too old (looks significantly different from current appearance)
• Head tilted
• Shadows on the face
• Red-eye

Where to get the right photo:

At the consulate/visa center:
• Many Chinese visa centers have photo booths
• They know the exact requirements
• Cost: ¥30-50 ($4-7)

At a professional studio:
• Tell them it's for a Chinese visa
• Bring the exact specifications
• Make sure they use the 33x48mm size

DIY at home:
• Stand against a white wall
• Use a tripod or ask a friend
• No flash (causes shadows)
• Crop to 33x48mm using an online tool
• Print on photo paper

My friend's solution:

She went back to the same studio. Told the photographer: "Chinese visa. No smile. Look depressed."

The photographer understood immediately. He took one photo. Perfect.

Her visa was approved 4 days later.

"I look like a criminal in my Chinese visa photo. But it was approved on the first try, so I guess that's the look they want."

Anyone else had visa photo drama?