Canada Passport Photo Size & Requirements
The official size is 50×70mm (1.97×2.76in, 1181×1654px). Check your framing here first, then get the photo taken by a commercial studio, as IRCC requires.
Drop a photo here, or click to upload
JPEG, PNG, or HEIC · nothing is uploaded, it stays on your device
or
Center your face in the oval, with your eyes on the yellow line
Converting HEIC photo…
Sorry, we couldn't read that photo. Please try a different file.
This photo is smaller than the recommended output size, so the download may look slightly soft when printed.
Missing part of the person? Use Restore. Background still showing through? Use Erase. Just want to drag or resize the photo? Switch back to Pan / zoom.
Blue band = acceptable head-height range · yellow dashed = eye line · fit your head between the solid lines
Runs entirely in your browser — your photo is never uploaded.
Background removal didn't work on this photo/browser. You can still crop and download as usual.
Print multiple copies on one sheet
Canada passport photo specification
- Print size
- 50×70mm (1.97×2.76 in)
- Digital output
- 1181×1654px
- Head height (chin to crown)
- 31–36mm (44–51% of frame)
- Background
- Plain white or light-coloured background, even lighting, no shadows
- ·Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed
- ·No glasses unless they're medically required and glare-free, and even then a signed statement from a doctor confirming they can't be removed has to go in with the application
- ·Taken within the last 6 months
- ·IRCC officially requires the photo to be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio
- ·The studio has to sign, date, and stamp the back of the photo, and give you the negatives or digital file along with the prints
Canada is stricter than most on this: IRCC requires passport photos to be taken and certified by a commercial photo studio. Treat this tool as a way to check your framing and compliance before that studio visit, not as a substitute for it.
Canadian passport photo size in every unit
A Canadian passport photo is a rectangle, not a square, which catches people off guard if they've seen a US or Indian passport photo before. Here's the 50×70mm spec converted to the units you're probably actually working in:
| Unit | Full photo | Head height (chin to crown) |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 50 × 70 mm | 31 – 36 mm |
| Centimeters | 5 × 7 cm | 3.1 – 3.6 cm |
| Inches | 1.97 × 2.76 in | 1.22 – 1.42 in |
| Pixels (this tool's export) | 1181 × 1654 px | ~44–51% of frame height |
It's worth knowing this isn't the only passport photo size out there, since a lot of people search for Canadian requirements right after (or right before) checking a different country's spec. The US and India both use a 2×2in (51×51mm) square. The UK and Australia both use a 35×45mm rectangle, smaller than Canada's. None of these are interchangeable, so a photo cut for one won't pass for another, even if it looks close.
Why you still need a studio, and what this tool is actually for
IRCC is unusual among passport authorities in requiring the photo itself to be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio. That's not optional, and it isn't something a browser tool can substitute for, since the studio also has to sign, date, and stamp the back of the print to certify it. You can't legally submit a phone selfie you cropped yourself, no matter how well it matches the spec.
What this tool is genuinely good for is catching problems before you pay for that studio visit. Upload a test shot, line it up against the crown-to-chin guide, and see whether your head size and centring would actually pass, before you're standing at a photo counter finding out the hard way. It's also handy for double-checking a studio print against the spec once you have it in hand.
Where to get a passport photo taken in Canada
Pharmacy and print-shop photo counters are the usual answer. Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs both run in-store photo services across most of the country, Walmart and Staples offer it at many locations, and CAA branches often provide it too, sometimes with a members' discount. In Quebec, Jean Coutu is a common option. Costco's photo counters have been scaled back or removed at a lot of stores in recent years, so don't assume yours still offers it.
Service, hours, and pricing genuinely differ store to store and city to city, whether you're in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, or a smaller town, so a quick phone call before you go is the difference between a five-minute errand and a wasted trip. Expect to pay somewhere around CAD $10 to $20 for a printed set of two.
One photo spec, several IRCC documents
The same 50×70mm photo specification on this page also covers most other IRCC photo documents, including citizenship certificate applications, permanent resident (PR) cards, and work or study permits. That said, details like how recent the photo needs to be, or whether a self-taken digital photo is acceptable, can differ slightly by application type. Always check the instruction guide for the specific form you're filing rather than assuming a passport photo automatically works for a citizenship or PR card application.
Related photo requirements
Common rejection reasons
Background isn’t plain or uniform
Shadows, patterns, furniture, or other people in frame are among the most common reasons photos get bounced back. Use a plain wall and even, shadow-free lighting.
Head size or position is off
Too zoomed in, too zoomed out, or off-center. Each country specifies an exact head-height range and crown position, and that's exactly what the crop guide in this tool aligns to.
Glasses, glare, or head coverings
Most countries now disallow glasses entirely (or require them glare-free with no frame over the eyes), and disallow non-religious head coverings that hide the hairline or face.
Photo is filtered, retouched, or AI-enhanced
Beauty filters, background blur, skin smoothing, and AI-generated backgrounds are explicitly rejected by several passport authorities, including the UK’s HM Passport Office.
Photo is outdated
Most countries require a photo taken within the last 6 months (the UK requires within the last month). An old photo, even a good one, can be rejected on this basis alone.
Expression or eye contact issues
Closed eyes, mouth open, smiling with teeth showing, or not looking straight at the camera are all common rejection triggers. A neutral, closed-mouth expression is the safe default.
Want the full picture across every country? See all passport photo requirements for 2026, read how to take a passport photo at home, or check what to wear and expression rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Canadian passport photo?
It needs to be 50x70mm, with the head height (chin to crown) falling between 31mm and 36mm.
Can I use a photo I took myself for a Canadian passport?
Officially, no. IRCC requires the photo to be taken by a commercial photographer or studio. What you can do is use this tool beforehand to check your framing and get a sense of whether you'll pass.
Does this tool upload my photo anywhere?
No. All the cropping and preview rendering happens locally in your browser.
What is the Canadian passport photo size in inches and pixels?
About 1.97 x 2.76 inches, or 50x70mm. This tool exports it at 1181x1654 pixels, matched exactly to that 50:70 ratio so it prints at the correct physical size.
Where can I get a passport photo taken in Canada?
Since IRCC requires a commercial photographer, most people go to a pharmacy or print shop with a photo counter: Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Walmart, Staples, and CAA all offer the service at many locations, and Jean Coutu is a common option in Quebec. Availability and pricing vary by store, so it's worth a quick call ahead to confirm your local branch actually does passport photos before you drive over.
Does Shoppers Drug Mart do passport photos?
Yes, most Shoppers Drug Mart locations with a photo counter offer Canadian passport photos, usually printed while you wait. Hours and exact pricing depend on the store, so check with your local branch first.
Does Walmart or Costco do passport photos in Canada?
Walmart Canada photo centres commonly offer passport photos. Costco is less consistent about it: photo services have been scaled back or discontinued at a number of locations, so it's worth confirming with your local warehouse before making a special trip.
Does Staples or London Drugs do passport photos?
Both are common options. Staples print and copy counters take passport photos at most Canadian locations, and London Drugs runs its own photo studios that do the same, particularly in western Canada.
Do CAA members get a discount on passport photos?
Many CAA locations offer passport photo services, and CAA membership often comes with a discount or a free set as part of a promotion. That varies by branch and by whatever offer is running at the time, so check with your local CAA office directly.
How much does a Canadian passport photo cost?
Typically somewhere in the CAD $10 to $20 range for a printed set of two, though it varies by retailer and city. This tool won't save you that cost since IRCC requires a studio-taken photo, but checking your framing here first means you're less likely to need a costly reshoot.
How long is a Canadian passport photo good for?
Six months from the date it was taken. If it's older than that when you submit your application, IRCC will ask for a new one, even if you think you still look the same.
Who signs or certifies a Canadian passport photo?
Unlike some countries where a family friend countersigns your photo, Canada puts the responsibility on the photographer: the studio has to sign, date, and stamp the back of the print to certify it was taken by them, in person, within the last 6 months.
What should I wear for a Canadian passport photo?
There is no dress code as such, just keep it ordinary: nothing that matches the plain background closely enough to blend in, and no uniform unless you are actively serving. Our what to wear guide covers clothing, makeup, and jewellery rules that hold across most passport photos, Canada included.
Can you smile in a Canadian passport photo?
No. IRCC wants a neutral, closed-mouth expression, partly because the software matching your photo against your application works best on a consistent, unsmiling face rather than a grin that changes your proportions. See our guide to smiling in a passport photo for what counts as neutral.
Can you wear makeup in a Canadian passport photo?
Yes. There's no rule against everyday makeup, the only real requirement is that your face is clearly visible and looks like you, without heavy contouring or filters changing your features.
Is the Canadian passport photo size the same as the US, UK, or Indian one?
No, and this trips a lot of people up. Canada uses a 50x70mm rectangle, the US and India both use a 2x2in (51x51mm) square, and the UK and Australia use a 35x45mm rectangle. A photo cropped for one country's spec generally won't pass for another, so make sure you're on the right page for the passport you're actually applying for.