China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo requirements
The 33 × 48 mm photo rules set by National Immigration Administration (NIA) via public security exit-entry offices for the China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo?
NIA's service guide for permanent residence does not set a separate photo size for the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. Exit-entry offices use NIA's exit-entry standard: a 33 x 48 mm colour photo taken within 6 months on a white, light grey or light blue background. The exact number of photos and any studio receipt requirement are set locally.
China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (外国人永久居留身份证, often called the 永居证 or five-star card) is issued to foreigners granted permanent residence. NIA's service guide for permanent residence does not set a separate photo size. Applications go to public security exit-entry offices, which use NIA's exit-entry standard: a 33 x 48 mm colour photo taken within 6 months on a white, light grey or light blue background.
Because the national guide is silent on photos, the exact number of photos and whether a studio photo receipt (回执) is needed are set locally. NIA lists fees of 1,500 yuan for the permanent residence application and 300 yuan for the card. NIA began issuing a new version of the card on 1 December 2023.
China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by National Immigration Administration (NIA) via public security exit-entry offices:[1]
| Print size | Not stated in NIA's permanent residence service guide; 33 x 48 mm (NIA exit-entry standard) is the safest size |
|---|---|
| Head height | 30–34 mm high, face 16–24 mm wide |
| Background | White, light grey or light blue; white is the safest choice |
| Colour | Colour; dark clothes with a collar, no uniforms |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| File size | 20–80 KB, if a file is asked for |
| File format | JPEG, 24-bit colour, if a file is asked for |
| Pixels when printed | 390 × 567 px at 300 dpi · 780 × 1134 px at 600 dpi (calculated) |
Key requirements
- No national photo size
NIA's permanent residence service guide does not state a photo size. The exit-entry offices that handle applications use NIA's exit-entry photo standard, 33 x 48 mm, for the documents they issue.
- Photo rules are set locally
A 2024 Chongqing public security Q&A (seen only in search results and not confirmed) is reported to say that swapping to the new card needs three recent 2-inch, front-facing, bareheaded photos and a photo collection receipt (照片采集回执). 2-inch sizes vary between studios, so the local exit-entry office should be asked how many photos it wants, in what size, and whether it needs a receipt from an approved studio.
- Head size
Head 30–34 mm high and face 16–24 mm wide on the 33 x 48 mm print.
- Clothing
Dark clothes with a collar; no uniforms.
- The 2023 card
NIA began issuing a new version on 1 December 2023. Cards issued earlier stay valid until they expire, holders may apply to swap them for the new design, and the new card can be used on its own as proof of identity, for example at hotels or when buying tickets, without a passport.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Ask the exit-entry office how many photos it wants, in what size and whether it needs a studio receipt
- Use a colour photo from the last 6 months on a plain white background
- Wear dark clothes with a collar
- Bring a few identical prints on photo paper, and a JPEG of 20–80 KB in case a digital copy is requested
Don't
- Wear a hat or tinted glasses
- Wear a uniform
Sample photos
How a China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 33 × 48 mm, head height and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
Tinted glasses should not be worn.
Headwear and religious dress
No hat.
Printed and digital photos
Print identical copies on photo paper at 33 x 48 mm unless the office says otherwise. If a digital file is requested, use a JPEG of 24-bit colour and 20–80 KB.
Where to submit the photo
At the city-level public security exit-entry office for the place where the applicant mainly invests or lives long-term. NIA says a decision on permanent residence is made within 6 months. Basic materials listed by NIA are a valid foreign passport, a health certificate and a certificate of no criminal record from abroad, plus the documents for the category applied under. Fees listed by NIA: permanent residence application 1,500 yuan; Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card 300 yuan; replacing a lost or damaged card 600 yuan; renewing a card on expiry 300 yuan.
How to get your China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card: 33 × 48 mm print, white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: no national photo size; photo rules are set locally; head size; clothing.
- Prepare a print or digital file. Print identical copies on photo paper at 33 x 48 mm unless the office says otherwise. If a digital file is requested, use a JPEG of 24-bit colour and 20–80 KB.
- Submit the photo with your application. At the city-level public security exit-entry office for the place where the applicant mainly invests or lives long-term. NIA says a decision on permanent residence is made within 6 months.
China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo FAQ
NIA's service guide for permanent residence does not state one. The exit-entry offices that handle applications use NIA's exit-entry photo standard, 33 x 48 mm, for the documents they issue, so that is the safest size to bring unless the office says otherwise.
NIA lists 1,500 yuan for the permanent residence application and 300 yuan for the card. Replacing a lost or damaged card costs 600 yuan, and renewing a card when it expires costs 300 yuan.
NIA says a decision on permanent residence is made within 6 months.
No. NIA says cards issued before 1 December 2023 stay valid until they expire, and holders may apply to swap them for the new design.
NIA says the new card can be used on its own as proof of identity, for example at hotels or when buying tickets, without a passport.
At the city-level public security exit-entry office for the place where the applicant mainly invests or lives long-term.
Related photo specifications
Other China documents
- Passport photo 33 × 48 mm
- Visa photo 33 × 48 mm
- Visa (COVA online application digital photo) photo 33 × 48 mm
- ID card photo 26 × 32 mm
- Driving licence photo 520 × 756 px
- Residence permit for foreigners photo 33 × 48 mm
- APEC business travel card photo 30 × 40 mm
- Exit-Entry permit for travelling to and from hong kong and macao photo 33 × 48 mm
- Travel permit to and from taiwan for mainland residents photo 33 × 48 mm
- National computer rank examination photo 33 × 48 mm
- Putonghua proficiency test photo
- Social security card photo 26 × 32 mm
Residence and work permits nearby
- China residence permit for foreigners photo 33 × 48 mm
- Japan residence card (alien registration) photo 30 × 40 mm
- Mongolia residence permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- South Korea alien registration photo 35 × 45 mm
Also 33 × 48 mm
- Macau visa photo 33 × 48 mm
- All China photo specifications
- Residence and work permits: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 33 × 48 mm photo
- Photo specifications in Asia
Official sources
- National Immigration Administration. 外国人永久居留资格审批服务指南 (permanent residence service guide) nia.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- National Immigration Administration. 新版外国人永久居留身份证 (new Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, 2023) nia.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- National Immigration Administration. 出入境证件相片照相指引 (exit-entry photo guide) nia.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with National Immigration Administration (NIA) via public security exit-entry offices before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
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"China foreign Permanent Resident ID Card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/china/permanent-residence-card-photo