Canadian Passport Photo (digital, online renewal): size and requirements
The Canadian Passport Photo size is 1200 x 1800 pixels for online upload (minimum 1200 x 1800, maximum 3000 x 4500), file under 5 MB. Plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between your face and the background; head 45 to 50 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-10-07 against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For the digital photo uploaded when renewing an adult Canadian passport online. Not for in-person or mailed applications, which need two 50 x 70 mm prints, and not for a visa, PR card or citizenship application.
Have a commercial photographer take the photo and give you the unedited original JPEG; you will enter the studio's name, address and photo date when you upload. See all Canada documents.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 1200 x 1800 pixels for online upload (minimum 1200 x 1800, maximum 3000 x 4500), file under 5 MB
- Head height
- Head 45 to 50 percent of the photo height (a chin-to-crown (top of head) measurement that's between 45% and 50% of the photo's height)
- Background
- plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between your face and the background
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Allowed without glare or tint
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- We deliver
- 1200 x 1800 px , under 5120 KB, plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckIRCC requires the digital photo to be taken in person by a commercial photographer, and the online form asks for the photographer's name, address and the date the photo was taken.
- CheckThe file must be the original JPEG saved straight from the camera, 2:3 portrait, between 1200 x 1800 and 3000 x 4500 pixels and 200 KB to 5 MB. Scans of prints are refused.
- CheckAny alteration at all, including cropping, brightness or background changes, is grounds for rejecting the application. Our tool can only check this photo, not fix it.
- CheckAsk the photographer for both the digital file and a printed set so you can fall back to applying by mail if online renewal is not an option.
Source and verification
Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-10-07 at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
be taken in person by a commercial photographer
have a 3:2 aspect ratio with the camera oriented in portrait mode
be at least 1,800 pixels high by 1,200 pixels wide
be no larger than 4,500 pixels high by 3,000 pixels wide
be between 200 KB and 5 MB in size
have a chin-to-crown (top of head) measurement that's between 45% and 50% of the photo's height
We don't accept scanned copies of printed photos.
Section 'Online renewals' of the IRCC passport photos page. Read via a text proxy because direct connections to canada.ca timed out from this network; wording was checked against the page as served.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
