CN China Social Security Card 32x26 mm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: printed photo must measure exactly 32 mm in height and 26 mm in width with tolerances ±1 mm
• Head size and position: head (from chin to top of hair) must occupy 70–80% of photo height (approx. 22–26 mm) and be centered horizontally
• Background: plain white or off-white background without patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Facial expression: neutral expression with closed mouth, natural look, no smiling or frowning
• Eye contact: direct gaze at the camera with eyes fully open and clearly visible without hair covering
• Lighting and exposure: even lighting with no shadows, glare or red-eye; natural skin tones without over/underexposure
• Glasses and eyewear: thin-rimmed glasses allowed if lenses are clear with no glare; tinted or thick frames prohibited
• Head coverings: only allowed for religious reasons and must not obscure face, forehead or cast shadows; full facial features required
• Clothing and accessories: everyday attire contrasting with background; uniforms and hats prohibited except religious headwear
• Photo quality: high resolution, clear and sharp without creases, marks, ink spots or printer lines
• Recent photo: taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance; outdated photos will be rejected
• Photo finish: printed on high-quality photo paper with matte or glossy finish and no visible texture or graininess

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Prepare and capture your portrait photo
• Choose a neutral, light-colored background free of shadows or patterns
• Position the subject facing the camera directly with a centered head and shoulders framing
• Ensure even, soft lighting on the face—no harsh shadows, over-exposure, or under-exposure
• Maintain a natural, relaxed facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed
• Remove glasses, hats, and any headwear unless worn daily for religious reasons (ensure ears and the full outline of the face remain visible)
• Use a camera or smartphone capable of at least 8 MP, set to the highest resolution and disable filters or beauty modes
• Place the camera at eye level, hold it 1–5 m away, and fill the frame so the head (from chin to crown) occupies 70–80% of the image height
• Second step: Process, format, and finalize your 32 × 26 mm photo
• Transfer the original high-resolution image to a computer—never work from a compressed screenshot
• Open in professional editing software (e.g., Photoshop, GIMP) and set the canvas or crop tool to exactly 32 mm width × 26 mm height at 300 dpi
• Center the head vertically and horizontally; verify that the head height measures 24–28 mm within the crop (Chinese SSN tolerance ±2 mm)
• Adjust brightness/contrast only to maintain natural skin tones and ensure the background remains uniform white or off-white
• Save the file as a JPEG with minimal compression (quality level 90–100%) or as a PNG if permitted by your local issuing office
• Print on high-quality, matte or semi-gloss photo paper—no inkjet bleed, visible pixels, or printer streaks
• Inspect the printed photo under natural light; confirm sharp focus, accurate colors, and exact 32 × 26 mm dimensions with a ruler
• Staple or adhere the photo to your SSN application form following your municipal Social Security bureau’s submission guidelines

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Dimensions and Head Positioning: Crop to a precise 32×26 mm frame with your head filling 70–80% of the vertical space and leaving a ~4–5 mm top margin—incorrect sizing is the top reason for instant rejections.
• Uniform Light Background: Use a smooth white or light-grey backdrop with zero shadows or textures—any background irregularity can trigger manual review delays.
• Even Front Lighting: Illuminate your face evenly from the front to eliminate shadows under the chin and around the nose—uneven lighting obscures facial features and leads to auto-rejects.
• Neutral Expression and Clear Eyes: Keep a relaxed, natural expression with mouth closed and eyes fully visible (no tinted or heavy-frame glasses)—glare or obscured eyes prevent accurate biometric matching.
• High Resolution and Sharpness: Capture at a minimum of 600 dpi with no filters or over-compression—blurry or pixelated photos are routinely refused in digital verification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CN China Social Security Card 32 × 26 mm Photo Requirements Guide ensures your application proceeds smoothly by standardizing every detail. Adhering to these key points will help you avoid rejections and delays:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 32 mm wide × 26 mm high with no cropping or scaling
• Head size & positioning: face height 70–80 % of photo; centered both vertically and horizontally
• Background: plain white, uniform lighting, no shadows or patterns
• Expression & gaze: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera
• Attire & accessories: plain, dark‐colored clothing; no uniforms, logos, or distracting accessories
• Glasses & headgear: remove all eyewear and hats unless worn for medical/religious reasons (full face must remain visible)
• Image quality: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), true color balance, sharp focus, no red-eye or retouching beyond natural skin tone
• Print specifications: matte or semi-matte finish on durable photo paper, no fingerprints or creases

By carefully following each specification—from capture through final print—you’ll ensure your social security card photo meets official Chinese standards and avoids costly reshoots or application delays.