China visa photo questions
Jan 24, 2019, 8:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 67
China visa photo questions
I understand that the photo has to be 48 mm x 33 mm, and not 2 inches x 2 inches like in US passports. Before I start calling AAA, FedEx/Kinko's, Walgreens, etc., can these places print 48 mm x 33 mm photos? Or should I try a photography studio?
Do passport photo places also give you a digital photo?
If I do it myself, would a white posterboard taped to a wall count as a white background? Neither my home nor my office has white walls. Since I don't have a photo printer at home, I'd have to get the photo printed at Walmart or somewhere else. Do they have the option of printing custom-sized photos, or will I have to manually cut them to size?
Do China visa services let you send multiple photos, to improve the odds of meeting requirements? Do any let you send digital photos, for them to print?
Do passport photo places also give you a digital photo?
If I do it myself, would a white posterboard taped to a wall count as a white background? Neither my home nor my office has white walls. Since I don't have a photo printer at home, I'd have to get the photo printed at Walmart or somewhere else. Do they have the option of printing custom-sized photos, or will I have to manually cut them to size?
Do China visa services let you send multiple photos, to improve the odds of meeting requirements? Do any let you send digital photos, for them to print?
Jan 24, 2019, 9:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 37
The agency I used accepted the standard 2x2 inch photo and they handled trimming them to the proper 48x33mm size. I didn't have much luck with taking the photo at home even with a good solid white background and ended up just going to Costco. That photo worked fine and considering the cost of the 10 year visa + agency fee was negligible.
Jan 30, 2019, 11:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,365
I got my photos done at AAA (I forget where my boyfriend did his, maybe a drugstore), but we asked both places not to cut them and we cut them ourselves. Honestly though when I was at the LA Chinese Consulate, they didn't seem to be that picky as I glance at others' photos.
Jan 31, 2019, 7:53 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,037
I got my photos done at AAA (I forget where my boyfriend did his, maybe a drugstore), but we asked both places not to cut them and we cut them ourselves. Honestly though when I was at the LA Chinese Consulate, they didn't seem to be that picky as I glance at others' photos.
Feb 3, 2019, 9:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,219
Same with me, they didn't seem to care at the Chicago Consulate. But I used my phone then printed it out at Walgreens for ~$0.50
Feb 22, 2019, 9:46 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,333
I went to a passport photo studio to get mine, and he charged extra for the custom size. Later on when my husband needed one, I found an old 2x2" passport photo left over from a prior trip and successfully trimmed it to 48x33 mm without affecting the required dimensions for the face. The consulate in LA accepted it, no questions asked.
Feb 22, 2019, 10:18 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 22
Feb 25, 2019, 9:40 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
The Chinese visa processing centre in Toronto (which isn't located at the consulate itself) is VERY picky about the photo size. When they reject your photo, they will point you to the photo booth in the corner that will happily take your photos in the correct size for an overinflated price.
Feb 25, 2019, 10:12 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,037
The Chinese visa processing centre in Toronto (which isn't located at the consulate itself) is VERY picky about the photo size. When they reject your photo, they will point you to the photo booth in the corner that will happily take your photos in the correct size for an overinflated price.