Canadian Passport Photo: size and requirements
The Canadian Passport Photo size is 50 x 70 mm (1.97 x 2.76 inches). Plain white or light-coloured background, clearly different from the face; head 44 to 52 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-09-30 against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For a Canadian passport applied for in person or by mail (new adult passports and paper renewals). Not for an online renewal, which uses a digital photo, and not for a Canadian visa or PR card, which are 35 x 45 mm.
Have the photo taken and printed by a commercial photographer or photo studio; IRCC does not accept photos printed at home, and the lab stamps its name, address and date on the back. See all Canada documents.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 50 x 70 mm (1.97 x 2.76 inches)
- Head height
- Head 44 to 52 percent of the photo height (face height between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown)
- Background
- plain white or light-coloured background, clearly different from the face
- 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
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 591 x 827 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckCanada uses an unusual 50 x 70 mm size. A 35 x 45 or 2 x 2 photo will be refused.
- CheckIRCC says photos must be taken by a commercial photographer and professionally printed; it does not accept photos printed at home or on heavyweight paper. Take our file to a photo lab counter for printing on photo paper, and note the lab may need to stamp the back with its name, address and date.
- CheckOne of the two photos has to be signed by your guarantor on the back.
- CheckAny editing, including background replacement, must not change how you look. IRCC rejects altered photos, so use the 'keep original background' option if your background is already plain.
Known portal issues
- Note
Photos processed by online photo web services are not acceptable
Take the file to a photo lab counter (many pharmacies and camera shops have one) rather than a self-service kiosk. Read the fix
Source and verification
Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-09-30 at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
They must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high).
The height of your face must measure between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from chin to crown (top of head).
taken no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application
We don't accept photos printed at home or on heavyweight paper.
You must submit 2 identical and unaltered photos with each passport application.
be taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio
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
