Create a fully compliant Canada passport photo in under a minute. Upload any picture, and our tool auto crops, fixes the background, and delivers a print-ready 50×70 mm photo that meets the official IRCC requirements.
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A practical, plain-English guide to the exact specifications Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects on every passport photo.
The Canadian passport photo standard is one of the strictest in the world. Unlike the US 2×2 inch format, Canada uses a taller rectangular photo measuring exactly 50 mm wide by 70 mm tall. The face itself must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the natural top of the head (the crown, not the top of the hair). Even a few millimeters off and the photo will be returned by the passport office.
Canada follows ICAO Doc 9303 international standards but applies its own physical print size. The 50×70 mm format is shared by Schengen countries and the UK, while the US, Japan, and several Asian nations use the smaller 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square format. This is why a US passport photo is never accepted as a Canadian one, even if cropped.
IRCC accepts a plain white or light grey background only. The lighting on your face must be even, with no harsh shadows on either cheek or behind your head. Your expression must be neutral with the mouth closed, eyes fully open and clearly visible. Smiles, raised eyebrows, and head tilts are the most common reasons photos get rejected.
Yes. You absolutely can take your own Canada passport photo at home with a smartphone, provided the final image meets the size, background, and quality rules. The trick is in the framing and the crop - which is exactly what our Passport Photo Maker automates. Stand 1.5 meters from a plain white wall, have someone else take the photo at eye level, and let our tool handle the resizing.
For a print at 300 DPI, the digital file must be approximately 591 × 827 pixels minimum. Our tool exports at higher resolution to ensure crisp print quality on both home printers and professional photo labs.
Download the JPEG and print it on matte or semi-gloss photo paper. Common options include Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Photo, Costco Photo Centre, London Drugs, and Staples. You can also print at home if you own a quality color printer.
Use the table below as your official checklist before submitting your Canadian passport application.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo Size | 50 mm × 70 mm (5 cm × 7 cm) |
| Width | 50 mm (1.97 inches) |
| Height | 70 mm (2.75 inches) |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, uniform, no shadows |
| Head Size | 31 mm to 36 mm from chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open and visible |
| Glasses | Not allowed (medical exemptions only) |
| Resolution | Minimum 300 DPI, sharp and in focus |
| File Format | JPEG (digital) / Photo paper (printed) |
| Print Requirements | High-quality matte or semi-gloss paper, original (not scanned) |
If you hold dual citizenship or are applying for both documents, here's how the two standards differ. Use the right format for the right country - they are not interchangeable.
| Specification | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇺🇸 United States |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Size | 50 × 70 mm | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Face Height | 31-36 mm (chin to crown) | 1 to 1⅜ inch (25-35 mm chin to top of head) |
| Background | White or light grey | Plain white only |
| Glasses | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Smile | Neutral expression | Neutral or natural smile |
| Issuing Authority | IRCC (Government of Canada) | US Department of State |
| Photo Age | Within 6 months | Within 6 months |
Need the American format instead? Use our US Passport Photo Maker.
Run through this quick checklist before you submit your application. If every box is checked, your photo will pass on the first try.
Our Passport Photo Maker simplifies the process into four quick steps. No design skills or special equipment required.
Take a fresh photo against a plain wall or upload one from your phone or computer. JPG and PNG are supported.
Our tool detects your face and crops the image to the official 50×70 mm Canadian passport size automatically.
The background is automatically replaced with a clean, IRCC-compliant white tone, removing shadows and clutter.
Download your high-resolution passport-ready photo as JPEG. Print at home or at any local photo shop.
Thousands of Canadian passport applications are delayed every year because of small photo errors. Avoid these frequent mistakes.
Photos that are not exactly 50×70 mm will be rejected. Standard 4×6 prints or US 2×2 inch sizes do not qualify.
Standing too close to the wall causes shadows behind your head. Move at least 50 cm away from the backdrop.
Glasses are no longer permitted in Canadian passport photos. Remove them before taking the photo.
A neutral expression is mandatory. Even slight smiles can lead to rejection by the passport office.
Photos with red eye, shadows on the face, or uneven exposure are routinely returned. Use diffused, even lighting.
The face must measure 31–36 mm from chin to crown. Photos taken too close or too far from the camera fail this rule.
Eyes, eyebrows, and the entire face outline must be clearly visible. Tuck hair behind your ears.
Photos older than six months, filtered, or digitally retouched beyond color correction are not accepted.
Most Canadians now use a smartphone to take their passport photo. These practical tips will help you get a compliant shot on the first try.
Hand the phone to a friend. Stand 1.5 meters away with the camera at eye level. Do not use the front-facing camera.
Stand facing a window during the day. Natural light produces accurate skin tones and avoids harsh shadows.
An empty white or light grey wall is ideal. Avoid wallpapers, posters, doors, and textured surfaces.
Solid colors that contrast with the white background look most professional. Avoid white shirts and patterns.
Relax your mouth, look straight at the lens, and keep both ears at the same level. No smiling.
Do not apply Instagram or beauty filters. Our tool handles color correction in a way that meets IRCC standards.
A 50×70 mm photo isn't only for the main passport booklet. The same format is required across multiple Canadian government applications, which is why creating one digital file you can reuse saves time and money.
Most Canadians need a fresh passport photo at least once every five to ten years, but in practice these photos are needed far more often. Whether you are applying for a brand new adult passport, helping a parent renew their travel document, or sending a photo for a child's first passport, the IRCC photo specifications stay identical. Knowing exactly when you'll need one helps you plan ahead and avoid last-minute photo studio visits.
For new applications, you must submit two identical photos taken within the last six months. Renewal applications also require two new photos that reflect your current appearance, even if you renew through the simplified renewal process. Children's passports - especially for kids under 16 - need updated photos every few years because young faces change quickly. And for emergency or urgent travel passports issued by Canadian consulates abroad, the same 50×70 mm photo standard applies, although consular staff may have stricter quality controls.
First-time adult applicants must submit two identical 50×70 mm photos taken in the last 6 months.
Even simplified renewals need two fresh photos. Old photos from your previous passport are not accepted.
Children under 16 need updated photos every passport cycle. Keep a steady backdrop and use natural light.
Issued by consulates abroad, these still require the standard Canada passport photo format.
If you need a photo for permanent residency, see our Canada PR Card Photo tool. For visa-specific requirements, use our Canada Visa Photo page.
Everything you need to know about creating a Canada passport photo online.
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