Getting your Canadian passport photo right the first time is essential to avoid delays in your passport application. This comprehensive guide covers all official Canadian passport photo requirements for 2026, helping you create a compliant photo that will be accepted by Service Canada.
Official Canadian Passport Photo Size
Canadian passport photos are taller than most other countries, with unique framing requirements:
- Photo dimensions: 50 x 70 mm (2 x 2.75 inches)
- Face height: 31-36 mm from chin to crown of head
- Head must be centred in the frame
- Full front view of the face required
- Resolution: At least 600 dpi for printed photos
- File format: JPEG for digital submissions
Canadian passport photos are taller than US photos (70mm vs 51mm height). Our main editor only makes U.S. sizes; our sister tool PassportPhoto has a Canada passport (50x70 mm) preset.
Background Requirements
Canadian passport photos have specific background requirements:
- Colour: Plain white or light-coloured
- No patterns, textures, or designs
- No shadows on the background
- No other people or objects visible
- Consistent colour throughout (no gradients)
- Background must be in sharp focus
Photos with shadows, patterns, or dark backgrounds will be rejected. Ensure even lighting to avoid shadows.
Face and Expression Requirements
Your face must be clearly visible and meet these requirements:
- Face directly toward the camera
- Neutral expression with mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- No squinting or closed eyes
- Head straight (not tilted or turned)
- Full face visible from hairline to chin
- Natural skin tones with no filters
Glasses Policy for Canadian Passports
Glasses are not recommended for Canadian passport photos. If you must wear them:
- Only allowed if worn daily for medical reasons
- No glare or reflection on the lenses
- Eyes must be clearly visible through the lenses
- Frames must not cover any part of the eyes
- No tinted or coloured lenses
- No sunglasses under any circumstances
For the best results, remove glasses when taking your Canadian passport photo to avoid potential issues with glare or reflections.
Clothing and Head Coverings
- Wear normal, everyday clothing
- Avoid uniforms unless required for religious reasons
- Religious head coverings are permitted
- Head coverings for medical reasons are permitted
- Your full face from forehead to chin must be visible
- Remove headphones, earbuds, or Bluetooth devices
Lighting Requirements
Proper lighting is essential for a compliant Canadian passport photo:
- Even lighting on both sides of the face
- No shadows on the face or background
- No red-eye from flash
- Not overexposed or underexposed
- Natural skin tones without colour casts
Photo Quality Standards
- Photo must be in colour (not black and white)
- Sharp focus with no blur
- Printed on high-quality photo paper (for physical submissions)
- No digital alterations to your appearance
- No filters, beauty modes, or editing effects
- Must be original, not scanned or photocopied
Guarantor Signature Requirement
Canada has a unique requirement for passport photos:
- For first-time passport applications, a guarantor must sign the back of one photo
- The signature confirms the photo is a true likeness of you
- The guarantor must have known you for at least 2 years
- The guarantor must be a Canadian citizen with a valid passport
- Renewal applications typically do not require a guarantor signature
Do not write on the front of your passport photos. The guarantor signature goes on the back of ONE photo only.
Baby and Child Photo Requirements
Photos of babies and children must meet most standard requirements with some allowances:
- Child must be photographed alone
- No parent's hands, toys, or soothers visible
- Eyes should be open (some allowance for newborns)
- White or light-coloured background required
- Can be photographed lying on a plain white sheet
- Expression requirements are less strict for babies
Common Reasons Canadian Passport Photos Get Rejected
- Incorrect size (not 50x70mm)
- Wrong head proportion or face height
- Shadows on face or background
- Glasses with glare on lenses
- Blurry or low resolution
- Face not centred or tilted
- Eyes closed or not visible
- Too dark or overexposed
- Filters or digital alterations
- Photo older than 12 months
Digital Photo Requirements
For online Canadian passport applications:
- File format: JPEG only
- Minimum dimensions: 420 x 540 pixels
- Maximum file size: 4MB
- No borders, frames, or timestamps
- Must be unaltered and uncompressed
How to Create a Compliant Canadian Passport Photo
Our main editor does not have a Canadian preset yet. Our sister tool PassportPhoto does. It will:
- Crop your photo to 50x70 mm with the Canada preset
- Export a JPEG, or a print sheet for printing
- Run on your device, without uploading the photo
- Leave the background as you shot it, so use a plain white or light-coloured wall
Create a compliant Canadian passport photo now
Create Your Canadian Passport Photo FreeWhere to Get Canadian Passport Photos
You have several options for obtaining Canadian passport photos:
- Shoppers Drug Mart photo centres
- London Drugs photo departments
- Costco Photo Centre
- Professional photography studios
- Walmart Photo Centre
- DIY at home with PassportPhoto's Canada preset
Taking your passport photo at home saves money and allows you to retake photos until you're satisfied with the result.
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