Quick answer
Do Chinese applicants need a photo for a UK visa?
Usually not in advance. PRC passport holders apply online for a Standard Visitor visa, then attend a visa application centre in China, where fingerprints and a photo are taken. If you are asked to upload one, it must be at least 600 × 750 pixels, a JPEG of 50 KB–6 MB, on a plain light background.
PRC passports are on the UK's visa national list, so a visit needs a Standard Visitor visa rather than an ETA. You apply online at GOV.UK, then attend a visa application centre in China, where your fingerprints and photo are taken. That means you normally do not need a printed or digital photo (英国签证照片) in advance. If an application does ask you to upload one, it must be at least 600 × 750 pixels, a JPG of 50 KB–6 MB, on a plain, light-coloured background.
UK visa photo: taken at the centre, or uploaded
| Standard Visitor visa from China | Photo taken at the visa application centre, with your fingerprints |
|---|---|
| If you upload a photo | At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, vertical |
| File | JPG or JPEG, at least 50 KB and no more than 6 MB |
| Background | Plain and light-coloured, in clear contrast to you |
| What it shows | Your head, shoulders and upper body, with no other people or objects |
| Expression | Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no hair in front of your eyes |
| Glasses | Not unless you have to; never sunglasses or tinted lenses, and no glare or frames covering your eyes |
| Editing | No filters or other changes; not mirrored or flipped, and not a photo of another photo |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons |
The upload rules are from UK Visas and Immigration's photo guidance, published 12 February 2026. They apply when an application asks you to provide a digital photo. For a Standard Visitor visa applied for from China, GOV.UK says your photo is taken at your appointment, along with your fingerprints.
Get ready for the photo at the centre
Wear a plain top that contrasts with a light background, tie back hair that falls over your eyes, and take off glasses unless you have to wear them. These are the same things UKVI checks in uploaded photos.
How Chinese applicants apply
Apply online at GOV.UK, no earlier than 3 months before you travel, and book an appointment at a visa application centre as part of the application. At the appointment you:
- prove your identity with your passport
- have your fingerprints and a photo taken
- provide the documents that show you are eligible for a Standard Visitor visa
You get your passport back the same day, although the centre may keep some other documents. Each family member needs their own application, fee and appointment. The UK's visa application centres in China are run by VFS Global; use the GOV.UK visa application centre finder for the current locations.
Photos of children
If an application asks you to upload a photo of a child, the child must be alone in the picture, and babies must not hold toys or use dummies. Children under 6 do not have to look straight at the camera or have a plain expression, and babies under one do not have to have their eyes open.
Your Chinese passport photo will not be used
The visa application centre takes a new photo, so you do not need your Chinese passport photo. For other countries' rules, see visa photos for Chinese citizens.
How to get your UK visa photo right
- Apply online at GOV.UK. Fill in the Standard Visitor visa application no earlier than 3 months before you travel, and pay the fee.
- Book a visa application centre appointment. Choose a centre in China as part of the online application.
- Get ready for the photo. Wear a plain top, keep your hair away from your eyes and take off your glasses unless you have to wear them.
- Attend with your passport and documents. Your fingerprints and photo are taken at the centre, and you get your passport back the same day.
Sample photos
Samples show pose, lighting and background. Crop your own photo to the United Kingdom visa size.
United Kingdom visa photo FAQ
Usually not. For a Standard Visitor visa applied for from China, your fingerprints and photo are taken at the visa application centre.
It must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, a JPG or JPEG of 50 KB to 6 MB, vertical, on a plain light-coloured background, showing your head, shoulders and upper body. If the file is not a JPG, such as a HEIC photo from an iPhone, convert it with the free 123PhotoTool JPEG converter.
No. PRC passports are on the UK's visa national list, so you need a visa to visit, not an electronic travel authorisation.
Only if you have to. If you do, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must not be covered by the frames, glare, reflection or shadow.
No earlier than 3 months before you travel.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa
- GOV.UK: Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission
- GOV.UK: Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor: Visa national list
- GOV.UK: Find a visa application centre
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.