Canada
Photo requirements for passports, visas, and ID cards. Includes dimensions, background rules, and biometric requirements for 5 document types.
Passport
50 × 70 mm
Visa
35 × 45 mm
Student Visa
35 × 45 mm
PR Card
50 × 70 mm
Baby Passport
50 × 70 mm
Helpful pages for document photos in Canada
Use these pages to move from country-level requirements to a specific document format, troubleshooting help, and print guidance.
Main document requirements
Open the main document requirements page for this country to see dimensions, background rules, and face-position guidance.
Why photos get rejected
Fix the most common background, framing, and expression problems.
Passport Photo Size Guide
Compare this country's dimensions with other common formats.
How to print passport photos
Print at home or at a pharmacy without scaling errors.
About photo requirements
When applying for a Canadian passport, your photos must strictly adhere to the standards set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These requirements are notably stringent, as the IRCC mandates specific dimensions and a guarantor signature on the back of one photo to verify your identity. Ensuring your image meets these professional criteria is essential for a smooth application process through official government channels.
Canadian printed passport photos must be 50 x 70 mm, with a 31-36 mm head, and taken by a commercial photographer. Clear glasses are allowed if the eyes remain visible without glare.
See the full 50 × 70 mm passport specifications for exact dimensions, face position, and background rules.
Online renewal requires the photographer's original, unaltered JPEG: 3:2 portrait, 1200 x 1800 to 3000 x 4500 pixels, 200 KB to 5 MB. Do not crop or edit it.
Common issues
The most frequent cause for rejection in Canada is poor lighting, specifically shadows cast on the background or across the face. Applicants often fail because their head is tilted or their expression is not perfectly neutral, which the IRCC software flags immediately. Additionally, failing to have the photographer’s name, address, and the date the photo was taken stamped or written on the back of one print will result in an automatic rejection.
Learn more about common passport photo rejection reasons and how to fix them, or check our passport photo size guide for a global comparison.
Local tips
Have a commercial photographer supply the printed photos or original digital file. Home prints and edited files are not accepted.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our DIY passport photo guide or learn how to print passport photos at home.
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