Canada Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Canadian passport photos must be 50×70 mm (2″×2¾″) with a plain white background and a face height of 31–36 mm. Glasses are not permitted. This guide explains every IRCC requirement and shows you how to take and validate your photo at home for free. See the detailed Canadian passport photo specifications for exact dimensions and formatting rules.

Canadian passport photo specifications at a glance

How to take a compliant Canadian passport photo

• 1

  Use a plain white background

  Canadian passport photos require a plain white background. Unlike the UK, light grey is not accepted — the background must be white. There must be no shadows, patterns, or objects behind you.

  • Stand 50 cm (20 in) from the wall to prevent shadows on the background
  • A plain white door or blank wall works perfectly
  • Avoid cream or off-white backgrounds — these may be rejected
  • idpic.app automatically replaces the background with the correct white colour
• 2

  Get the lighting right

  Even, shadow-free lighting is required. Shadows on your face or background will cause the photo to be rejected by the Canadian passport office.

  • Face a window — natural diffused daylight is the best light source
  • Never stand with a window behind you (creates dark, backlit photos)
  • Avoid direct sunlight — it creates harsh shadows under your nose and chin
  • If you are indoors, use two lamps at 45° on either side of your face.
  • No flash — it creates uneven lighting
• 3

  Position your face correctly

  Your face must be centred and fill a specific portion of the frame. The face height (chin to crown) must be between 31 mm and 36 mm in a 70 mm tall photo.

  • Look directly at the camera — no turning or tilting
  • Neutral expression: mouth closed, face relaxed
  • Eyes must be fully open and clearly visible
  • Remove glasses — Canada now requires glasses to be removed
  • Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of your face
  • No head coverings unless worn for religious reasons
• 4

  Guarantor signature (if required)

  If you cannot confirm your identity online, you may need a guarantor to sign the back of one of your two photos. This is common for first-time applicants and children.

  • Guarantor must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older
  • Must have known you personally for at least 2 years
  • Must have a valid Canadian passport
  • They write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name]" on the back
  • They sign and print their name, passport number, and phone number
  • Online applications may not require a guarantor signature
• 5

  Validate and download for free

  Open your photo in idpic.app. The AI automatically removes the background, checks face position and eye openness, resizes to exactly 50×70 mm, and exports a print-ready file.

  • No account or sign-up needed
  • Your photos never leave your device
  • Meets all IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) requirements
  • Download a print-ready file with your correctly sized photo

Common reasons Canadian passport photos are rejected

• Wearing glasses (not permitted for Canadian passport photos)

• Non-white background (cream or grey is rejected)

• Shadows on face or background

• Face height outside 31–36 mm range

• Head tilted, turned, or chin raised

• Smiling or open mouth

• Eyes not fully open or not looking at camera

• Photo taken more than 6 months ago

• Low resolution or pixelated image

Related resources

Frequently asked questions