Canadian Passport Photo Requirements
The Canadian passport photo requirements in short: 50×70mm (1.97×2.76in), a plain white background, a head height of 31 to 36mm, and a photo taken by a studio within the last 6 months. Check your framing here first.
Same size and background rules — infant mode swaps the crop guide for a lay-flat framing box. See our infant photo guide.
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Canadian passport photo requirements at a glance
- 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. That surprises a lot of people who have seen a US or Indian passport photo before. Here is the 50×70mm requirement converted into the units you are most likely working in:
| Unit | Full photo | Head height (chin to crown) |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 50 × 70 mm | 31 to 36 mm |
| Centimeters | 5 × 7 cm | 3.1 to 3.6 cm |
| Inches | 1.97 × 2.76 in | 1.22 to 1.42 in |
| Pixels (this tool's export) | 1181 × 1654 px | About 44 to 51% of frame height |
This is not the only passport photo size out there, and plenty of people check Canadian requirements right before or after looking up another country. The US and India both use a 2×2in (51×51mm) square. The UK and Australia use a 35×45mm rectangle, which is smaller than the Canadian size. A photo cut for one country will not pass for another, even when it looks close.
Canadian passport photo requirements for background, expression and glasses
Beyond the size, IRCC checks the photo itself. These are the Canadian passport photo requirements that matter most:
- Background: plain white or light-coloured, with even lighting and no shadows behind you.
- Expression: neutral, with both eyes open and your mouth closed.
- Glasses: leave them off. They are only allowed when medically required and glare-free, and in that case the application needs a signed statement from a doctor confirming they cannot be removed.
- Head size: 31 to 36mm from chin to crown, centred in the frame.
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months.
- Who takes it: a commercial photographer or studio, who signs, dates and stamps the back of the print.
Why a Canadian passport photo has to be taken at a studio
IRCC is unusual among passport authorities because it requires a commercial photographer or studio to take the photo in person. That rule is not optional, and a browser tool cannot replace it, since the studio also has to sign, date and stamp the back of the print. A phone selfie that you cropped yourself cannot be submitted, however closely it matches the size.
What this tool does well is help you catch problems before you pay for the studio visit. Upload a test shot, line it up against the chin-to-crown guide, and see whether your head size and centring would pass. It is also handy for double-checking a studio print against the Canadian passport photo requirements once you have it in hand.
Where to get a Canadian passport photo taken
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, and Walmart and Staples offer it at many locations. CAA branches often provide it too, sometimes with a members' discount. In Quebec, Jean Coutu is a common option. Costco has scaled back or removed its photo counters at many stores, so do not assume yours still offers passport photos.
Service, hours and pricing differ from store to store and city to city, whether you are in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa or a smaller town. A quick phone call before you go can turn a wasted trip into a five-minute errand. Expect to pay around CAD $10 to $20 for a printed set of two.
Do the same photo requirements apply to other IRCC documents?
The same 50×70mm photo size also covers most other IRCC photo documents, including citizenship applications and permanent resident (PR) cards. Smaller details can still differ by application type, such as how recent the photo must be. The citizenship photo, for example, has a shorter 6-month window, while the PR card allows 12 months. Always read the instruction guide for the exact form you are filing instead of assuming a passport photo will work. Our guides to theCanada PR card photo sizeand theCanadian citizenship photo requirementscover those differences.
Related photo requirements
Common reasons a Canadian passport photo gets rejected
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.
Canadian passport photo requirements: frequently asked questions
What are the Canadian passport photo requirements?
The photo must be 50x70mm, with your head measuring 31mm to 36mm from chin to crown. It needs a plain white or light background and a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. It must also be taken by a commercial photographer or studio within the last 6 months, and the studio signs, dates and stamps the back of the print.
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.