Canada Passport Photo Requirements 2026
A Canada passport photo must be 50×70 mm (about 1.97×2.76 inches) on a plain white background. The head — measured from chin to crown — must be between 31 and 36 mm tall. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applies these specifications to passports, PR cards, and citizenship applications, and requires that two identical printed photos be submitted on photo-quality paper.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Passport | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) | |
| Canada PR Card | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) | |
| Canada Citizenship | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain white or light-coloured. No textures, no shadows, no patterns. The photo must show clear contrast between the face and the background.
Expression and eyes
Neutral expression with mouth closed. Both eyes open and clearly visible. No smiling, no exaggerated expressions.
Glasses
Glasses are allowed if there is no glare and the eyes are fully visible. Tinted or heavily framed glasses are typically rejected.
Headwear
No headwear unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. The full face from chin to top of forehead must be visible.
Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance.
Digital format
IRCC requires printed photos for most applications — digital uploads are accepted for citizenship online applications at minimum 35×45 mm and 420 KB.
Country-specific notes
- Two identical printed photos are required for paper passport applications. One photo must be signed and dated on the back by your guarantor.
- The photographer's name, complete address, and date the photo was taken must be stamped or written on the back of one photo, or on a stamp on the back.
- Photos must be on plain photo-quality paper, no electronic alterations like filters.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Photo is not 50×70 mm — Canada's rectangular format is commonly confused with the 2×2 inch square.
- 2 Head is outside the 31–36 mm chin-to-crown range.
- 3 Glasses cause glare or hide the eyes.
- 4 Background is not a single light colour.
- 5 Photo is older than six months.
- 6 Missing photographer information on the back of printed photos.
- 7 Digital retouching or beauty filters applied.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Set the background
Stand 0.5 m in front of a plain white or light wall. Daylight from in front of you, no shadow behind.
Take the photo
Camera at eye level, about 1.5 m away. Face the camera squarely with a neutral expression and closed mouth.
Verify against IRCC rules
Photo must be 50×70 mm with head 31–36 mm tall. Our app checks every rule and produces two print-ready copies on the correct paper size.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Canada passport photo? +
How many photos do I need for a Canadian passport? +
What background should a Canada passport photo have? +
Can I print Canadian passport photos at home? +
Are glasses allowed in a Canadian passport photo? +
Does the same photo work for a Canadian citizenship application? +
Take a photo that passes — automatically.
Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.