Canada Passport Photo Requirements
Canada is unusual in requiring the photographer's details and the date printed on the back of the photo, and in specifying head height as a measurement in millimetres rather than a proportion of the frame. Photos are frequently returned for the missing stamp alone.
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Open the Canada photo toolThe official specification
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) |
| Pixel dimensions | 591 × 827 px |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Head height | 44–51% of the photo height |
| Background | Plain, #ffffff |
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Requirements change — confirm there before you submit.
Rules that catch people out
The photographer must endorse the back
One of the two prints must carry the studio or photographer's name, the full address, and the date the photo was taken. A self-taken photo cannot satisfy this for a paper application.
Head height measured in millimetres
Canada specifies the distance from chin to crown as an absolute measurement, not a percentage. This is why a photo sized correctly for another country usually fails here.
Neutral expression, mouth closed
No smiling. Eyes open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera.
Plain white or light-coloured background
Uniform, with no pattern, texture, or shadow.
Glasses permitted if the eyes are clear
Frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no glare or tint, but removing them remains the lower-risk option.
Why canada passport photos get rejected
- Missing photographer details or date on the reverse of the print
- Head height correct as a proportion but wrong in millimetres
- Submitting only one print when two identical copies are required
- Printing on plain paper rather than photo-quality stock
- Smiling, which Canada does not accept
Printing and submitting
Paper applications need two identical prints, one endorsed on the back as described above. Because of the endorsement requirement, a commercial photo service is usually the practical route for a Canadian passport rather than a home-printed photo.
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The tool crops to 50×70 mm at 300 DPI and checks head height and background before it releases the file.
Open the Canada photo toolOther photo requirements
- US Passport Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- UK Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- Schengen Visa Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- India Passport and OCI Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- Australia Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- Baby and Infant Passport Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- Pet Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- Driver's License and State ID Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.