Canada Passport Photo

Canada Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains some of the most detailed passport photo specifications of any country. The Canadian passport photo measures 50 x 70 mm (2 x 2 3/4 inches) -- taller and narrower than the 2x2-inch square used by the United States, which frequently causes confusion for dual citizens or those accustomed to US specifications. Canada is also one of the few countries that still accepts black-and-white photos, though colour is strongly recommended.

What makes Canada's system particularly distinctive is the guarantor and photographer requirements. For first-time applications, one of your two photos must be signed on the back by a guarantor -- a Canadian citizen who has known you for at least two years and can certify your likeness. Additionally, all passport photos must be taken by a commercial photographer (not self-taken), and the photographer must stamp or write their studio name, address, and the date on the back of at least one photo. These back-of-photo requirements are strictly enforced, and missing or illegible information is a common cause of application returns.

The full specifications are published at canada.ca and in the detailed Passport Photo Specifications PDF (revised 2015, still current).

Canada is also a good example of why "passport photo" is not a universal template. If you are comparing formats, our 50x70mm Photo page is the right internal cross-check, not a generic 35x45mm guide. For a real-world retail reference, CAA Atlantic's official passport photo page shows the kind of in-branch service many Canadians still use.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 inches x 2 3/4 inches)
• Face height (chin to crown): between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches to 1 7/16 inches)
• Face centered within the frame
• Two identical, unaltered prints required

Digital specifications (online renewal):

• Format: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) only
• Minimum dimensions: 420 x 540 pixels
• Maximum file size: 5 MB
• Saved directly from the camera file -- not resaved, re-exported, or processed through editing software
• Colour or black-and-white (colour recommended)

Background and lighting:

• Plain white or light-coloured background
• Clear contrast between the subject and the background
• No shadows on the face or behind the subject
• Even, balanced lighting
• No patterns, objects, or textures in the background

Expression and pose:

• Neutral facial expression -- no smiling, frowning, or squinting
• Both eyes open and clearly visible
• Mouth closed
• Looking directly into the camera
• Face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera -- no tilting or turning

Glasses: Should be removed. Glasses with visible frames, glare, or reflections will cause rejection. IRCC strongly recommends removing all eyewear.

Clothing:

• Avoid wearing white or very light clothing, as it blends into the background and causes rejection
• No uniforms (military, sports, airline, etc.)
• No head coverings except for religious reasons (full face must remain visible)

Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months and accurately reflect your current appearance.

Back-of-photo requirements (critical):

• The photographer must write or stamp the date the photo was taken, the photographer's name, and the studio address on the back of one photo. Stick-on labels are not acceptable.
• For first-time applications: a guarantor must write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [applicant's full name]" on the back of one photo and sign it.

Professional photographer requirement: Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer or at a commercial photo studio. Self-taken photos, even if technically compliant, are not accepted for printed submissions.

How to Take Your Canadian Passport Photo at Home

For online renewals, IRCC accepts digital photos that meet their specifications. While printed photos must be taken by a commercial photographer, the digital photo for online renewal has slightly more flexibility -- though it must still meet all dimensional and quality requirements.

Camera setup: Use a smartphone or digital camera with at least 5 megapixels. Have another person take the photo from about 1.5 metres away, at eye height. Use the rear camera. Ensure the photo is saved as a JPEG directly from the camera without any post-processing.

Background: Stand in front of a plain white wall. Ensure there are no patterns, picture frames, power outlets, or shadows visible. If you have light-coloured or white hair, consider using a very light grey background for better contrast. Stand about 20 cm from the wall.

Lighting: Natural daylight from a window directly facing you is ideal. Position yourself so light falls evenly across both sides of your face. Avoid side lighting, backlit situations (window behind you), and overhead-only lighting. Do not use flash.

Framing: Frame the photo to show your full head, neck, and the top of your shoulders. Your face (chin to crown) should measure between 31 and 36 mm when printed at 50 x 70 mm -- this means your face should occupy approximately 44-51% of the vertical frame. Leave space above the head and below the shoulders.

Clothing tip: Wear a dark or medium-coloured top that contrasts clearly with the white background. White, cream, and very light-coloured tops cause the shoulders to blend into the background, which is a specific IRCC rejection reason.

Critical: Save the file as JPEG directly from the camera. Do not open it in a photo editor, apply any filters, crop it using editing software, or re-export it. IRCC requires the original camera file.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Canada

• Shoppers Drug Mart -- CAD 12.99-14.99 for 2 photos. Over 1,300 locations across Canada, making it the most accessible option. No appointment needed. Staff are generally trained on passport photo requirements. The photographer stamps the back with the store's name, address, and date.
• Walmart -- CAD 12.97 for 2 photos. Available at most Walmart Supercentre locations with a photo department. Slightly cheaper than Shoppers, but the photo department is not always staffed -- call ahead to confirm availability.
• Staples -- CAD 21.99 for 2 printed photos. Digital copies may be available separately, or as a combo for approximately CAD 24.99. Less convenient for passport photos specifically, but reliable.
• London Drugs -- CAD 16.99-19.99 for 2 photos. Primarily in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba). Professional quality with guaranteed compliance.
• CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) -- Free or discounted for members at participating offices. Availability varies by province.
• Independent photo studios -- CAD 15-30 depending on location and service. Often the most knowledgeable about exact requirements, particularly for complex cases (children, religious head coverings, etc.).

Budget tip: For online renewals, take the digital photo yourself and ensure it meets the 420 x 540 pixel minimum in JPEG format. This costs nothing. For in-person applications, Walmart at CAD 12.97 is the least expensive major chain option.

Photos for Babies and Children

Canadian child passport photos follow the same 50 x 70 mm dimensions and face height requirements (31-36 mm) as adult photos. IRCC acknowledges that photographing infants and very young children presents challenges, but the accommodation is limited.

Infants and newborns:

• Some latitude is given for facial expression -- it is acknowledged that achieving a perfectly neutral expression from a newborn is difficult
• Eyes should ideally be open, but slight variations are tolerated for very young babies
• The child must be the sole subject in the photo -- no hands, parents, or objects visible
• Lay the infant on a plain white or light-coloured sheet and photograph from above
• No pacifiers, toys, hats, or headbands
• The face must be fully visible and centered

Toddlers and young children:

• Neutral expression required (or as close as possible)
• Both eyes open, looking at the camera
• No toys, objects, or other people in the frame
• The same 31-36 mm face height applies

All children:

• Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer (this applies to children as well)
• Must be taken within the last 6 months
• For first-time child passport applications, the guarantor must sign the back of one photo with the "true likeness" declaration
• Both parents or legal guardians must consent to the application

Practical advice: Many commercial photographers who specialize in passport photos have experience with children and babies. They often have props (white sheets, supportive chairs) and techniques to get compliant photos quickly. Scheduling the appointment during the child's most alert and calm period (after a nap, after feeding) significantly improves the chances of getting a usable photo.

Common Rejection Reasons

IRCC reviews every submitted photo and will return applications with non-compliant photographs, adding weeks to processing time. The most frequent rejection causes:

1. Missing or illegible back-of-photo information -- The photographer's stamp (name, address, date) must be clearly legible on the back of one photo. Stick-on labels are not acceptable. Many rejections stem from faded stamps, illegible handwriting, or missing information entirely.
2. Incorrect face height -- The face must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown. Photos where the face is too small (subject too far from camera) or too large (too close) are rejected. This is measured precisely.
3. Wearing white clothing -- A surprisingly common rejection cause. White tops blend into the white background, making the shoulders and neckline indistinguishable. IRCC will return photos where the subject's clothing does not contrast with the background.
4. Smiling or non-neutral expression -- Any visible smile, teeth, raised eyebrows, or squinting. IRCC is strict about neutral expression for biometric matching purposes.
5. Glasses with glare or visible frames -- While not explicitly banned (as in the US), IRCC strongly recommends removing glasses. Any glare, reflection, or frame that obscures the eyes will be rejected.
6. Shadows on the face or background -- Uneven lighting creating visible shadows, particularly under the nose, chin, or behind the ears.
7. Photo older than 6 months -- The date stamped by the photographer is checked against the application submission date.
8. Self-taken or altered photos -- Photos not taken by a commercial photographer (for print submissions), or digital files that have been processed through editing software, cropped, or filtered.

Digital vs Print Submission

Online renewal (digital):

• Available for eligible adult passport renewals
• Upload a JPEG file, minimum 420 x 540 pixels, maximum 5 MB
• Must be saved directly from the camera -- not re-exported or processed
• Colour or black-and-white accepted (colour recommended)
• No photographer stamp or guarantor signature needed for online renewal
• The system performs automated compliance checks

In-person or mail (print):

• Submit two identical, unaltered colour (or black-and-white) prints
• 50 mm wide x 70 mm high
• Must be taken by a commercial photographer
• Back of one photo: photographer's stamp with name, address, and date (no stick-on labels)
• For first-time applications: guarantor's "true likeness" declaration and signature on the back of one photo
• For renewals: no guarantor signature needed, but photographer stamp is still required

First-time vs renewal:

• First-time applicants must apply in person and need a guarantor (Canadian citizen, known you 2+ years, 18+, holds a valid Canadian passport)
• Renewal applicants applying by mail or online do not need a guarantor
• All in-person and mail applications require printed photos from a commercial photographer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I submit black-and-white passport photos in Canada? A: Yes. Canada is one of the few countries that accepts both colour and black-and-white passport photos. However, IRCC recommends colour photos, and most commercial photographers shoot in colour by default.

Q: Can I take my own passport photo for an online renewal? A: For digital submissions via the online renewal portal, the photo does not need to be taken by a commercial photographer. However, it must meet all technical requirements (420 x 540 pixels minimum, JPEG, neutral expression, white background, etc.). For printed submissions, a commercial photographer is required.

Q: What is a guarantor and when do I need one? A: A guarantor is a Canadian citizen (age 18+) who has known you for at least 2 years and holds a valid Canadian passport. They sign the back of one photo certifying your likeness. You only need a guarantor for first-time passport applications -- renewals do not require one.

Q: Why is the Canadian passport photo 50x70mm instead of the 2x2-inch square? A: Canada follows its own specification rather than the US 2x2-inch standard. The taller 50x70mm format allows more of the head, neck, and shoulders to be visible, which aids in identification. Do not submit 2x2-inch (51x51mm) US-format photos for a Canadian passport.

Q: Can I wear a hat or head covering in my Canadian passport photo? A: Head coverings are only permitted for sincerely held religious beliefs. The covering must not obscure any part of the face. No hats, caps, or fashion headwear are allowed.

Q: My child is a newborn. How do I get a compliant passport photo? A: Take the baby to a commercial photographer experienced with infant passport photos. The child should be laid on a plain white sheet and photographed from above. No pacifiers, toys, or other objects. The baby's full face must be visible. Some flexibility on expression is allowed for very young infants, but the face height (31-36 mm) still applies.

Q: Can the photographer use a stick-on label on the back of the photo? A: No. IRCC explicitly states that stick-on labels are not acceptable. The photographer must write or stamp (with a rubber stamp or handwriting) the date, studio name, and studio address directly on the back of the photo.