Quick answer
Can a baby's eyes be closed in a Chinese passport photo?
Yes, for babies under 1. NIA's exit-entry photo guide lets under-1s have their eyes closed and does not require a natural expression, level head or front-facing pose from children under 4. Nothing may be in front of the child, such as a hand or toy, and the background must stay plain.
A Chinese passport photo for a baby or child uses the same 33 × 48 mm layout as an adult's, taken within 6 months. NIA's exit-entry photo standard makes three allowances: babies under 1 may have their eyes closed; children under 4 need not keep a natural expression, a level head or a front-facing pose; and there is more room for a child's eyes in the frame. Nothing may appear in front of the child.
These allowances come from NIA's 《出入境证件相片照相指引》, which covers passports and other exit-entry documents applied for in China. The MFA's e-passport photo spec for applications abroad does not list any exceptions for children.
What changes for children
| Rule | Under 1 | Under 4 | Older children and adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes open | Not required | Required | Required |
| Natural expression | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Head level, facing the camera | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Nothing in front of the child | Required | Required | Required |
| Plain background | Required | Required | Required |
NIA's diagram also gives children a wider eye zone: between 14 and 26 mm below the top of the 30 × 40 mm effective area, against 14 to 22 mm for adults. On a digital photo, a child's eyes may sit up to 0.6 of the image height from the top edge, against 0.5 for adults.
Faults NIA shows for children
NIA's guide includes example photos of children that fail. They show:
- a child holding a toy, or an object in front of a baby
- a child wearing a hat
- a turned face or a tilted head
- teeth showing
- a face that is too big for the frame
- a cluttered background, including a parent's hand
Photographing a baby at home
Lay your baby on their back on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above, with daylight from a window rather than a flash. Keep toys, blankets and hands out of shot. Take lots of photos and pick the one where your baby's head is straight and the face is evenly lit. Our at-home photo guide has more tips.
Children applying abroad (中国领事 app)
Parents apply for a child's passport or travel document in the 中国领事 app in the same way as for an adult, with a white-background digital photo that follows the MFA spec. Some points differ for children:
- Signature: a parent or guardian signs for children under 10, and that signature is not printed in the passport. Children aged 10 or over sign themselves.
- Interview: the MFA says minors may need a video or in-person interview.
- Photo exceptions: the MFA spec does not mention closed eyes or other allowances for babies. If your baby's photo is rejected, ask your embassy or consulate.
See passport renewal abroad for the full app process.
Children applying in China
NIA's ordinary passport service guide says children under 16 apply with a guardian, who brings proof of the relationship such as a birth certificate or the household register (户口簿). Fingerprints are optional for under-16s with a guardian's consent. A child's passport is valid for 5 years, and 10 years from age 16.
Photo receipts expire sooner for children
Guangzhou extended the validity of standard ID photo receipts from 180 days to 1 year in 2023, but kept 180 days for under-16s. Other cities set their own periods, so check the date on your child's receipt.
How to take a baby or child passport photo
- Use a plain background. Lay a baby on a plain white sheet, or sit an older child in front of a plain white wall, with soft daylight and no shadows.
A plain white sheet near a window - Keep hands and toys out of shot. Support the baby from behind or below so no hands, arms, toys or blankets appear in the photo.
A hand in the photo
Only the baby - Aim for a straight, calm face. Babies under 1 may have their eyes closed and under-4s get some leeway on pose, but a straight-on, mouth-closed photo is safest.
From directly above, phone parallel to the baby
Head turned - Crop to 33 × 48 mm. Crop the photo to 33 × 48 mm with the whole head in the frame, and use it within 6 months.
Baby and child passport photo FAQ
Under NIA's exit-entry photo standard, yes, for babies under 1. Older children must have their eyes open. The MFA spec for the 中国领事 app does not mention an exception for babies, so try for open eyes if you apply abroad.
Yes, but your hands and arms must not appear in the photo. NIA lists a hand behind or beside the baby as a fault, as well as anything in front of the child. Lay the baby on a plain white sheet or support them from behind, out of shot.
Under NIA's standard, children under 4 do not have to keep a natural expression, a level head or a front-facing pose. Teeth showing, a turned face and a hat still appear in NIA's list of faults for children, so aim for a calm, straight-on photo.
In the 中国领事 app, applicants aged 10 or over sign themselves. For children under 10, a parent or guardian signs, and that signature is not printed in the passport.
For passports applied for in China, NIA takes fingerprints from everyone aged 16 or over. For under-16s they are optional, with a guardian's consent.
5 years for children under 16, and 10 years from age 16.
Official sources
- National Immigration Administration: 出入境证件相片照相指引 (exit-entry photo guide)
- National Immigration Administration: 普通护照签发服务指南 (ordinary passport service guide)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Consular Services: 电子护照人像照片规格要求 (e-passport photo specification)
- China Consular Services: 护照/旅行证 (passports and travel documents)
- Chinese Embassy in Switzerland: 中国领事 app guide and FAQ (December 2024)
- Guangdong Provincial Government: Guangzhou extends ID photo receipt validity (2023)
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.