Photo Requirements for Canadian Passport

Overview

Canadian passport photos must meet strict specifications. Applications will be refused if photos do not comply. The rules on this page apply to applications submitted in person or by mail; online renewals require a digital passport photo and follow different instructions.

Number of photos required

You must submit 2 identical and unaltered photos with each passport application (adult or child) when applying in person or by mail.

Where to get photos taken

Have your photos taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio. Do not use home-printed photos or heavyweight paper prints—photos must be professionally printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper.

Size and face measurements

Photos must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high). The height of the face (chin to crown/top of head) must measure between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches).

Practical tip: ask the photographer to confirm the final print size and the face height measurement before leaving the studio.

Image quality

Photos may be in colour or black and white. They must be clear, sharp and in focus, with uniform lighting and no shadows, glare or flash reflections. The photo must show a clear difference between your face and the plain white or light-coloured background and must reflect your natural skin tone.

Practical tip: avoid wearing white clothing because it can blend into the background and lead to rejection.

Originals and alterations

Photos must be original and not altered or edited in any way. Alterations include technical corrections or enhancements (colour, brightness, contrast, sharpness), cropping around the head and shoulders (for example cutting and pasting against a white background), editing facial features, removing scars/birthmarks/red-eye, changing hair or clothing colour, or changing the background or removing shadows. Photos altered by software, filters, or AI tools will be rejected.

Actionable step: request an unedited print from the studio and confirm no digital enhancements were applied.

Facial expression

Passport photos should show a neutral facial expression, as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). That means your eyes are open and clearly visible, you are looking straight at the camera, your mouth is closed, and you are not smiling or frowning.

Note for infants: newborns may have a range of facial expressions, which is acceptable.

Appearance and posture

Photos must show how you look now—taken no more than 6 months before your application date. Your face and shoulders must be centred and squared to the camera (not tilted). The background must be plain white or light-coloured and must show a clear difference between the subject’s face and the background.

For children: photos must not show your hands or your child’s hands.

Lighting and shadows

Lighting must be uniform with no shadows around the ears, in the background, or across the face or shoulders. There must be no glare or flash reflections.

Practical tip: ask the photographer to check for shadows and glare on the preview before printing.

Glasses, sunglasses and tinted lenses

Glasses are accepted only if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses or tinted eyeglasses are not accepted—including tinted prescription lenses—even if the eyes appear visible.

Head coverings, hats and hair

Daily headwear worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons is allowed provided your full face is clearly visible and the head covering does not create shadows on your face. Hats and head coverings not worn daily for religious or medical reasons are not accepted. Hair may be worn down or up, but it must be off your face so the edges of your face are visible.

Actionable step: if you normally wear religious or medical headwear, ask the photographer to check the photo for shadows and full face visibility before printing.

Medical devices and wheelchair photos

Photos with medical headwear or a nasal cannula are accepted only if your eyes are clearly visible; you must include a signed letter of explanation with your application and a doctor’s letter may be requested. If you use a wheelchair and it has a headrest, place a plain white covering or white blanket over the headrest so your facial features and edges of your face are clearly visible against the background.

Red-eye and other unacceptable edits

Photos with red-eye effect or red-eye alterations are not accepted. Any retouching that removes or alters natural marks, scars, or other features is considered editing and will cause rejection.

Guarantor signature and photographer stamp

On the back of one of the two photos, the photographer must clearly write or stamp the date the photo was taken and the name and complete address of the photo studio. Your guarantor must clearly write the statement “I certify this to be a true likeness of (the applicant's name)” and sign their name at the bottom of that photo.

Note: if you are renewing an adult passport, a guarantor is not required.

Practical step: before leaving the photo studio, verify that the photographer has added the required date and studio information on the back of one photo and bring the photo to your guarantor for their statement and signature.

Common reasons photos are rejected (how to avoid them)

  • Wrong size or incorrect face height: confirm 50 x 70 mm and face height 31–36 mm.
  • Altered or edited photos: insist on original, unedited prints.
  • White clothing blending into the background: avoid white tops.
  • Shadows, glare, or red-eye: check lighting and lens reflections at the studio.
  • Sunglasses or tinted lenses: remove all tinted eyewear.
  • Head tilt or off-centre posture: be centred and squared to the camera.
  • Home-printed or heavyweight paper prints: use a commercial studio print on plain photographic paper.

Quick applicant checklist (actionable steps)

1. Book a commercial photo studio and tell them you need Canadian passport photos (in-person/mail application).

2. Confirm printed size 50 mm x 70 mm and face height 31–36 mm.

3. Wear non-white clothing, remove tinted glasses, and ensure hair is off the face.

4. Check that lighting is uniform and there are no shadows or glare.

5. Ask for original, unedited prints on plain photographic paper.

6. Have the photographer stamp/write the date and studio name/address on the back of one photo.

7. Bring one photo to your guarantor to write the required certification and sign it.

8. Verify both photos are identical and unaltered, and were taken within the last 6 months.

Final note

Follow these photo requirements carefully—applications will be refused if photos do not meet the standards. If you have medical reasons that prevent you from meeting a requirement, explain the reasons in writing with your application and include any required letters or doctor documentation if asked.