Canada Passport Photo Size: Exact Dimensions & Rules

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a distinctive 50×70mm photo — not the common 35×45mm standard — so a photo sized for another country is wrong from the start. The rule that triggers the most Canadian rejections, though, is not the size: IRCC requires a commercial photographer to take the photo and stamp or handwrite their name, address, and the exact date on the back of one print. At-home prints and stick-on labels are automatic rejections. The biggest 2025–2026 change is the expanded online renewal system: IRCC now enforces stand-alone digital photo specs and refuses scans of paper prints. The head must measure 31–36mm chin-to-crown.

Canada Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Every value below is the current official requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the federal department that issues Canadian passports. The authoritative source is IRCC's passport photo specifications page on the Government of Canada website at canada.ca — Canada publishes separate specs for printed photos and for digital photos uploaded through the online portal, so this table lists both.

Exact Dimensions: MM, Inches, and Pixels

The official Canada passport photo size is 50 mm wide × 70 mm tall. In inches, that is 2 × 2.75 inches — taller than the square 2×2 format used by the United States.

For digital submissions, pixel dimensions depend on your scan or camera resolution:

300 DPI is the minimum acceptable resolution for printed passport photos. If you are submitting digitally through IRCC's online portal, the pixel rules are different from print: the portal accepts JPEG files that are at least 1200 × 1800 pixels and at most 3000 × 4500 pixels, in a 2:3 portrait orientation, with a file size between 200 KB and 5 MB. Note that the digital photo must be an original camera file from a commercial photographer — IRCC does not accept a scan of a printed photo.

Not sure what resolution your image is? Use our DPI checker to verify before submitting.

IRCC Face Position and Framing Rules

IRCC specifies precise framing measurements. Getting these wrong is the single most common reason for rejection.

Face height: The distance from chin to crown of head must measure 31 mm to 36 mm in the printed photo. That translates to roughly 62–72% of the total frame height.

Head position:

• Face the camera directly — no tilting, no turning
• Both ears should be visible (hair can partially cover ears)
• Head centered horizontally in the frame
• Natural head position, not tilted forward or backward

Crown clearance: Leave approximately 5–10 mm of space between the top of the head and the top edge of the photo. Too much space pushes the face too low. Too little space crops the head.

Shoulder line: Shoulders should be visible at the bottom of the frame. The photo should capture from approximately mid-chest upward.

Expression: Neutral expression with mouth closed. No smiling, squinting, or raised eyebrows. Eyes open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera lens.

Background Requirements

IRCC requires a plain white or light grey background with no patterns, shadows, or other objects visible. The background must be uniform — no gradients, no visible texture.

If your photo has a colored or cluttered background, you can change the image background to white using Pixotter's background removal tool before resizing to the correct dimensions.

Lighting: Even lighting on the face with no harsh shadows. The background should appear consistent from edge to edge. Side lighting that casts a shadow on the background wall is a common rejection trigger.

Common Rejection Reasons

IRCC processing centers reject passport photos for these issues most frequently:

1. Wrong dimensions. The photo is not 50×70 mm, or the face height falls outside the 31–36 mm range. This is the easiest problem to fix — resize your photo to 590×826 pixels at 300 DPI.

2. Shadows on background. Even faint shadows behind the head or shoulders trigger rejection. Photograph against a large white surface with the subject standing 30–50 cm away from the wall.

3. Glare or tint on glasses. IRCC allows non-tinted prescription glasses, but only if your eyes are fully visible and there is no glare or reflection on the lenses. Tinted, photochromic ("transition"), and sunglass lenses are never permitted. Because eliminating glare under studio lighting is difficult, IRCC recommends removing glasses entirely to avoid a rejection.

4. Red-eye or glare. Camera flash reflecting in the eyes. Use indirect lighting or a diffused flash.

5. Photo older than 6 months. IRCC requires the photo to represent your current appearance. Significant changes in hair, weight, or facial features since the photo was taken can cause rejection.

6. Digital manipulation. IRCC prohibits retouching that alters your natural appearance. Basic adjustments to brightness and contrast are acceptable. Skin smoothing, blemish removal, or feature alteration are not.

7. Incorrect file format or size. Digital submissions through the IRCC portal must be JPEG format, between 200 KB and 5 MB, sized 1200 × 1800 px to 3000 × 4500 px. Other formats (PNG, HEIC, WebP) are rejected by the upload portal.

8. No photographer details. For printed photos, the back of one print must carry the commercial photographer's name, address, and the date taken — stamped or handwritten. Stick-on labels are an automatic rejection, and a print with no photographer information at all will not be accepted.

Preparing a Canadian Passport Photo

Unlike many countries, Canada requires that a commercial photographer capture your passport photo — IRCC will not accept a passport photo you take and print entirely yourself. That said, understanding the technical specs helps you check the photographer's work before you submit it and avoid a wasted trip. Use these checks:

What to confirm with the photographer:

• Plain white or light-coloured background, evenly lit, with no shadows on the face or behind the head
• You are positioned 30–50 cm in front of the background to keep shadows off the wall
• The camera is at eye level so your head is not tilted forward or backward
• The photo is shot at high resolution so it meets the 1200×1800 px digital minimum

Before the shot:

• Decide on glasses — non-tinted prescription frames are allowed, but glare-free shots are hard, so most applicants remove them
• Remove hats and head coverings (religious head coverings worn daily are permitted)
• Face the camera directly with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open

Checking the file before you submit:

1. Confirm a 5:7 aspect ratio for prints, or a 2:3 portrait ratio for the digital portal, with the head at the correct height
2. Remove the background if the photographer's backdrop is not perfectly uniform
3. Resize to 590×826 pixels at 300 DPI for print reference, or check the digital file falls between 1200×1800 and 3000×4500 pixels
4. Confirm the digital file is JPEG and between 200 KB and 5 MB

Digital vs Print Submissions

Canada accepts passport photos in both formats depending on your application method.

Online applications (digital): Submit through the IRCC portal. JPEG format, 200 KB–5 MB, between 1200×1800 and 3000×4500 pixels in a 2:3 portrait ratio. The digital photo must be the original file from a commercial photographer's camera — not a scan of a print — and you type the photographer's name, address, and the date taken into the portal yourself.

Mail or in-person applications (print): Two identical prints at exactly 50×70 mm, taken by a commercial photographer. The back of one print must carry the photographer's stamp or handwritten name, address, and date. IRCC does not accept passport photos that you print at home, and a stick-on label instead of a stamp or handwriting is an automatic rejection.

Which to choose: Online applications process faster (typically 10 business days vs 20 for mail). Digital submission also eliminates print quality as a rejection variable. If you do need printed copies, our passport photo printer guide covers paper selection, printer settings, and layout templates for printing compliant photos at home.

Passport Photo vs Citizenship Photo vs Visa Photos

Canadian document photos share similarities but have key differences:

Canadian passport and citizenship photos use identical specifications. PR card photos follow the same standard. The main practical difference: citizenship ceremony photos require a specific declaration printed on the back that is not required for passport photos.

If you are applying for visas to other countries alongside your Canadian passport renewal, prepare each photo separately — do not assume one size fits all. For country-specific dimensions, see our guides on Indian passport photo size, China passport photo size, and UK passport photo size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Canada passport photo size in pixels?

The printed Canadian passport photo is 50 × 70 mm, which is 590 × 826 pixels at 300 DPI or 1180 × 1652 pixels at 600 DPI. The IRCC online portal uses a different rule: digital photos must be at least 1200 × 1800 pixels and no larger than 3000 × 4500 pixels, in a 2:3 portrait orientation. Sizing a Canadian photo to the common 35×45mm international standard is a frequent rejection cause.

Can I take and print my own Canadian passport photo?

No. IRCC requires that a commercial photographer take your passport photo, and printed-at-home passport photos are not accepted. This is one of the strictest aspects of the Canadian process — countries such as the UK and Australia allow self-submitted photos, but Canada does not. The back of one printed photo must show the photographer's stamped or handwritten name, address, and the date the photo was taken.

Are glasses allowed in Canadian passport photos?

Yes — IRCC permits non-tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are fully visible and there is no glare or reflection on the lenses. Tinted lenses, photochromic ("transition") lenses, and sunglasses are never accepted. Because glare-free studio shots are hard to achieve, IRCC itself recommends simply removing your glasses to avoid a rejection or processing delay.

What background color does IRCC require for a Canadian passport photo?

IRCC requires a plain white or light-coloured background that is uniform with no patterns, shadows, or objects. IRCC also warns against wearing white clothing, since it can blend into a white background and cause rejection. If your photo's background is not uniform, use a background removal tool to clean it up before submitting.

What is the head-height rule for a Canadian passport photo?

For printed photos, the distance from your chin to the crown of your head must measure 31 mm to 36 mm — measured to the natural top of the skull, not the top of your hair. For digital portal photos, the same chin-to-crown distance must instead occupy 45–50% of the total image height. A face outside these windows is one of the most common Canadian rejections.

How recent does a Canadian passport photo need to be?

IRCC requires the photo to have been taken within the last 6 months and to accurately represent your current appearance. The photographer's stamp on the back of a printed photo records this date, and for online applications you type the date taken into the portal. If you have significantly changed your hairstyle, hair colour, weight, or had facial surgery, take a new photo.

What file format and size does the IRCC online portal accept?

The IRCC portal accepts JPEG (.jpg) files only, between 200 KB and 5 MB, sized 1200 × 1800 px to 3000 × 4500 px. PNG, HEIC, WebP, and other formats are rejected, and the digital file must be the original camera file from your photographer — not a scan of a print. Convert and verify the file size before uploading.

Can I smile in my Canadian passport photo?

No. IRCC requires a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. Even a slight smile can trigger rejection during automated photo validation. Keep your face relaxed, eyes open, and look directly at the camera lens. IRCC also prohibits digital retouching, so the photo cannot be edited to "fix" an expression afterward.

Can I scan my printed Canadian passport photo for the IRCC online portal?

No. This is the single most important rule of Canada's expanded 2025–2026 online renewal system: IRCC explicitly refuses scanned copies of 50×70mm paper prints, and a scan triggers an automatic rejection. You must ask your commercial photographer for the original native digital file from their camera. That file must be JPEG, between 200 KB and 5 MB, sized 1200 × 1800 px to 3000 × 4500 px, with your head occupying 45–50% of the image height. The expansion of online renewals for eligible Canadians living in Canada is exactly why IRCC published these strict stand-alone digital specs.

Does someone need to sign the back of my Canadian passport photo?

It depends on the application type. For a new adult passport or a child's passport, your guarantor must sign the back of the same print that carries the commercial photographer's stamped or handwritten name, address, and date. For a passport renewal, no guarantor signature is required. The photographer's details are mandatory on every printed application regardless of type — only the guarantor signature varies. For online renewals, you type the photographer's name, address, and date taken directly into the IRCC portal instead of relying on a physical stamp.