Passport Photo — Canada Requirements

Photo Dimensions

Size: 50 × 70 mm

Digital File Specifications

Minimum width: 1200 px

Maximum width: 3000 px

Minimum file size: 200 KB

Maximum file size: 5120 KB

File format: JPEG

Tips for Getting the Right Size

• Use idpic.app to automatically crop and resize your photo to the exact required dimensions — no manual calculation needed.
• Keep your face centred in the frame with your head fully visible from crown to chin.
• When printing, ensure you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") to preserve the correct dimensions.
• Your face should fill the correct proportion of the photo. idpic.app shows a face guide overlay to help you position correctly.

Background Specification

Plain white or light grey background required. The background must be a single, uniform, light colour — either white or a neutral light grey. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

How to Get the Right Background

• Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background.
• Use even, diffuse lighting — a window or softbox pointed at the background helps.
• A plain white or light-coloured wall, a white sheet, or a dedicated photo backdrop all work well.
• Use idpic.app to automatically replace your background with the correct colour — no manual editing required.

Glasses requirements

Glasses are not allowed for this photo. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo. This is the official requirement for Canada.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

• Remove all glasses — including prescription glasses — before taking the photo.
• Contact lenses are fine and do not need to be removed.
• If you wear glasses regularly, check that there are no indentations on your nose from the frames.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Wrong background. Canada Passport photos require a plain Plain light background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Retake the photo against a flat, evenly lit backdrop.
• Wearing glasses. Glasses are not permitted in Canada Passport photos. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo.
• Face obscured by head covering. Religious head coverings are allowed, but your full face — from chin to forehead — must remain visible with no shadow cast on it.
• Face size out of range. Your face must fill between 44% and 51% of the photo height. Move closer to or further from the camera and recrop.
• Photo too old. Canada Passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Take a new photo if yours is older.
• Digital file doesn't meet spec. Online submissions must be a JPEG file matching the exact pixel dimensions and file size the portal requires. Re-export your photo at the correct size before uploading.
• Low resolution or blurry. Your photo must be sharp and at least 300 pixels on its shortest side. Use good lighting and hold the camera steady.
• Shadows. Shadows across your face or on the background — often from overhead lighting or a nearby wall — are a common rejection reason. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
• Wrong expression. Smiling, frowning, closed eyes, or an open mouth can cause rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
• Wrong paper or printing. Home-printed photos on regular paper, or prints with a glossy coating that catches light, are often rejected. Print on quality matte photo paper at full size and 100% scale.

About photo requirements

Canadian passport photos are unusual in two respects: they must be taken by a commercial photographer, and the photographer's name, address and the date must be printed or stamped on the back of one of the two prints. A self-taken photo, however compliant, does not satisfy the requirement.

The photo must be a recent color or black-and-white image with a plain white or light-colored background and a neutral expression. Canada also requires an uncommonly precise face height measured from chin to crown, which is why photographers use a marked guide. Two identical prints are required, not one.

Submitting the photo

Both prints go with the paper application. One carries the photographer's details and the date on the back; for a first application or a child's application, the guarantor also signs that print. The image is not uploaded — the Canadian process remains paper-based for the photograph.

Common issues

The rejection specific to Canada is the missing or incomplete photographer stamp, which invalidates an otherwise perfect photo. Beyond that, the tight chin-to-crown measurement catches photos that would pass elsewhere, and prints on non-photographic paper are returned.

Baby and child photo rules

Children under 6 may have relaxed requirements for expression and eye position. Babies can be photographed lying on a white sheet or held upright. The child must be the only person in the photo — no hands, toys, or pacifiers should be visible.

Read our complete guide to baby passport photos