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Visa photo preset

HEIC to JPG for a China visa photo

Convert an iPhone HEIC photo to a JPG cropped to 420×560 pixels and compressed under 120 KB — the COVA maximums for the Chinese online visa application. Conversion runs in your browser, and every finished file shows its exact size so you can confirm the 40 KB–120 KB band.

Output: JPG 420×560 px, exact crop ≤ 120 KB Final size shown per file

Drop HEIC files here

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Private metadata removed automatically

When you need this preset

The Chinese online visa application (COVA) takes a digital photo as a JPEG within a tight size band, and iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. A fresh iPhone photo is in the wrong format, usually the wrong shape, and far too large in file size for the COVA upload — a HEIC file is often several megabytes. This page converts that photo to JPG, crops it to the exact pixel size COVA accepts, and compresses it under the 120 KB cap, so the file is ready to submit.

It handles the file preparation only. Getting the photo itself right — a pure white background, both ears visible, no glasses, correct head size and neutral expression — is on you, following the official COVA guidance. This tool changes the format, dimensions, and file size; it does not judge whether the picture meets the visa rules.

What the COVA photo spec says

Per the COVA photo requirements on visaforchina.cn and the Chinese consular portals, the photo must be a JPEG, from 354×472 up to 420×560 pixels, with a file size between 40 KB and 120 KB, on a pure white background. In printed terms the head measures 28 to 33 mm, both ears must be visible, and glasses are not permitted in most cases. This page preselects the 420×560 maximum and a 120 KB target so the file fits the top of the accepted range.

Note that the 40 KB figure is a minimum: the file must not fall below it. This page compresses under the 120 KB cap and shows the final size of each finished file so you can confirm it also clears 40 KB. The COVA system, launched in September 2025, runs automated photo checks and commonly rejects photos for background colour, glasses, or ear visibility — so a correctly sized file still has to pass COVA’s own review when you upload it.

What this tool does and does not do

This tool converts HEIC to JPG, crops to 420×560 pixels, compresses under 120 KB, and removes private metadata from the saved file. It does not check background colour, ear visibility, glasses, head size, or expression, and it does not enhance, retouch, or replace the background. heictoimg.com is not an official or government-approved visa tool and does not guarantee that your photo will be approved or accepted by COVA or any consular portal — COVA’s own checker has the final say. You must verify your photo against the current official requirements for your own application. Nothing here is legal or immigration advice.

Private, local conversion

Everything runs in your browser using WebAssembly — your selected image files are not uploaded to heictoimg.com servers. The JPG is re-encoded from decoded pixels, which removes original private metadata such as GPS location, camera details, and the original photo timestamp. You can process up to 50 files at once on desktop and up to 10 on phones and tablets.

Frequently asked questions

Does this page make my photo pass the COVA photo check?

No. It prepares the file: it converts your HEIC photo to JPG, crops it to 420×560 pixels, and compresses it under the 120 KB cap. It does not check background colour, ear visibility, glasses, head size, or expression. The COVA system runs its own automated photo check when you upload, and its checker has the final say — this tool cannot predict that result.

What are the China visa photo requirements?

Per the COVA photo requirements, the photo must be a JPEG, from 354×472 up to 420×560 pixels, with a file size between 40 KB and 120 KB, on a pure white background. In printed terms the head is 28–33 mm, both ears must be visible, and glasses are not allowed in most cases. This page preselects the 420×560 maximum and a 120 KB cap.

Why does my file need to stay under 120 KB but not too small?

COVA accepts a file size band of 40 KB to 120 KB. This page sets a 120 KB target so the JPG fits under the cap, and every finished file shows its final size so you can confirm it also clears the 40 KB minimum. A 420×560 JPG from an iPhone photo normally lands inside that band.

Why does COVA reject so many photos?

The COVA online system, launched in September 2025, runs automated photo checks and commonly rejects photos for the wrong background, glasses, or ears that are not fully visible. Those are photo-taking issues, not file-format issues. Take the photo carefully against a pure white background with both ears showing, then use this tool only to get the file into the right format and size.

Are my photos uploaded to your servers?

No. Conversion, cropping, and compression all run in your browser using WebAssembly. Your selected image files are not uploaded to heictoimg.com servers. The JPG is re-encoded from decoded pixels, which strips private metadata such as GPS location and camera details.

Will this guarantee my visa photo is accepted?

No. heictoimg.com does not guarantee visa approval or acceptance by COVA, any Chinese consular portal, or any agency, and is not an official or government-approved photo tool. COVA’s own checker decides acceptance. Always verify the current official requirements for your own application.

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