Canada Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇨🇦 Canada · Last verified: February 2026

Canada visa photo requirements apply to Temporary Resident Visas (TRV), student permits, work permits, and visitor visas. The specifications are the same as Canadian passport photos — with the same three unique Canada rules: no home printing, no AI editing, and no digital alterations of any kind.

Quick facts


Size	50×70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches)
Background	Plain white only
Head height	31–36 mm (chin to crown)
Photos required	2 identical
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not permitted
Home printing	Not accepted
AI editing	Explicitly prohibited
Source	canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship

Who needs a Canada visa?

Canadian visas (Temporary Resident Visas) are required for citizens of most countries. However, many nationalities get a Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead of a visa — eTAs are for air travel only and do not require a separate photo submission.

Visa required (examples): citizens of India, Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Mexico, and most other countries

eTA (no visa needed for air travel): US citizens and Green Card holders are exempt entirely. Citizens of the UK, Australia, Germany, France, and most EU countries need an eTA (no photo required — just an online form linked to your passport)

No visa or eTA needed: US citizens

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 50 mm wide × 70 mm tall (2 × 2¾ inches)
Head height: 31–36 mm from chin to crown
Top margin: 3–7 mm between hair and top edge of photo
Face centred horizontally in the frame

Canada uses a larger format than most countries. The 35×45 mm standard used by the US, UK, EU, and most of Asia is wrong for Canadian visas.

Background

Plain white only. No off-white, cream, or light grey. Canadian authorities strictly enforce this.

Warning from canada.ca: *"Avoid wearing white clothing. It can blend into the background and will mean that your photo gets rejected."* Dark or coloured clothing is strongly recommended.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Glasses: not permitted
Head coverings: only for religious reasons. Full face visible from forehead to chin, both ears visible where possible
Clothing: no uniforms; avoid white or very light colours

Three rules unique to Canada

1. No home printing

Photos must be printed by a professional photo lab on photographic paper. Home-printed photos from inkjet printers are rejected. Take your digital file to Walmart Photo Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart, or any professional lab.

2. No AI editing or digital alterations

Canada's IRCC explicitly bans all forms of photo editing including AI tools, photo-editing software, filters, skin smoothing, background removal, and brightness adjustments. This is stricter than most countries. Any digital alteration of any kind — including what many consider "minor corrections" — causes rejection.

3. Photographer stamp required

One photo must have the photographer's name, full address, and date on the back. Professional labs do this automatically. Self-printed photos cannot include this stamp properly.

Applying for a Canadian visa — how photos are submitted

Paper applications

Most Canadian visa applications require 2 printed photos attached to or submitted with your physical application.

Online applications via IRCC portal (ircc.canada.ca)

For online visa applications, digital photo upload is required. Requirements:

Format: JPEG
Same face specifications apply
Original digital file — not a scanned print
No editing of any kind

The digital upload does not replace the printed photo requirement for all applications — check your specific application instructions.

Where to get Canadian visa photos

The same locations as Canadian passport photos. Professional lab required — no home printing.

Option	Price (CAD)	Provinces/Coverage
Shoppers Drug Mart	$19.99	All Canada
London Drugs	$14.99–$19.99	BC, AB, SK, MB
Walmart Photo Centre	$16.97	All Canada
Jean Coutu	$13.80	QC, NB, ON
Staples Canada	$21.99	All Canada

For applicants outside Canada (applying from the US or elsewhere):

Use PixID ($4.99 USD) to generate a correctly sized 50×70 mm file. Print at Walmart Photo Centre or any professional lab — not at home. Total cost: ~$7–8 CAD.

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size — using 35×45 mm (US/European format) instead of 50×70 mm
Background not pure white — off-white, cream, or grey rejected
AI editing detected — any digital alteration including background replacement tools
Home-printed photos — must be printed by a professional lab
Glasses — not permitted
White clothing blending into background
Head size outside 31–36 mm range
No photographer stamp on back of photo
Photo older than 6 months

Frequently asked questions

What size are Canadian visa photos?

50 mm wide × 70 mm tall (2 × 2¾ inches). Head height 31–36 mm from chin to crown. Two identical photos required.

Is a Canadian visa photo the same as a Canadian passport photo?

Yes — same specifications. 50×70 mm, plain white background, no glasses, no AI editing, no home printing.

Can I use a 35×45 mm photo for a Canadian visa?

No. Canada uses 50×70 mm — the 35×45 mm standard used by most other countries is the wrong size.

Can I print a Canadian visa photo at home?

No. Canada explicitly prohibits home-printed photos. Must be printed by a professional photo lab on photographic paper.

Can I use AI or photo editing software for my Canadian visa photo?

No. Canada bans all AI editing, filters, and photo manipulation. Even background replacement is prohibited.

Do I need a visa or eTA to visit Canada?

Depends on your nationality. US citizens need neither. Most EU, UK, and Australian citizens need an eTA (no photo required, just an online form). Most other nationalities (India, Philippines, China, etc.) need a Temporary Resident Visa with photos.

What is the digital photo requirement for the IRCC online portal?

JPEG format. Same face and background specifications as printed photos. Must be an original digital file, not a scanned print, with no editing.