Canada passport photo requirements
Canada uses a taller 50×70 mm photo and hands much of the responsibility to a guarantor: the photographer and the guarantor write on the back of the print. Because the back of the photo carries declarations, it makes sense to print a few copies from the same file.
Crop to this size
Opens the cropper with 50 × 70 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1⅞ × 2¾ in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 591 × 827 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | 31–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured, with no shadows or texture |
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last 6 months.
- Expression. Neutral face, mouth closed, no smiling.
- Glasses. Not allowed — you must remove them, including lightly tinted lenses.
- Headwear. Only for religious or medical reasons, and never obscuring the face.
- Photo stock. Printed on plain, unaltered photographic paper. No staples, paper clips, tape or ink marks on the face of the photo.
- Endorsement. On the back: the photographer’s name, the studio address and the date the photo was taken. A guarantor signs and dates it for passport applications.
- Editing. No retouching, filter or beauty mode. The photo must be a true likeness.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG, sharp and free of compression artefacts
- Framing
- Identical 50×70 mm crop — head 31–36 mm, centred, white background
- Where it is used
- The online passport renewal service, which publishes its own file-size window on the upload page
Common reasons photos get rejected
- Glare on the skin, forehead or glasses-free face from a direct flash.
- A photo taken by the applicant at arm’s length, or a photo of a photo.
- Uneven or coloured lighting on the white background.
- A scanned print with visible paper texture or screen reflections.
- Missing photographer details or guarantor signature on the back.
Official sources
- Government of Canada — passport photo requirementsSizes, head measurement, background, endorsements and FAQs.
- IRCC — photo requirements for immigration applicationsRules for permanent residence, study and work permit photos.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.