Canada Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

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

Canada visa photo requirements apply to Temporary Resident Visas (TRV), student permits, work permits, and visitor visas. IRCC uses 35×45 mm for these TRV photos — the same ICAO frame as UK and Schengen visas. Do not confuse this with 50×70 mm Canadian passport or PR card photos.

Quick facts

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: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall (IRCC TRV standard)
• 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

TRV uses 35×45 mm — the same ICAO frame as UK and Schengen. The 50×70 mm format applies to Canadian passport and PR card photos, not standard TRV applications.

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: non-tinted prescription glasses allowed if eyes are fully visible; sunglasses 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

TRV vs PR / passport photos

TRV (this guide): 35×45 mm, head 31–36 mm — visitor, study, work permit applications and VFS biometrics.

PR card / Canadian passport: 50×70 mm — separate IRCC spec when you receive a PPR or apply for a passport. See Canadian passport photo guide.

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.

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

Use PixID ($4.99 USD) to generate a correctly sized 35×45 mm TRV file. Print at a professional lab when your VFS or IRCC letter requires physical copies.

Common rejection reasons

• Wrong size — using 50×70 mm PR/passport prints for a TRV application, or wrong head crop at 35×45 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 — tinted lenses or sunglasses; prescription glasses that hide the eyes
• White clothing blending into background
• Head size outside 31–36 mm range
• Photo older than 6 months

Frequently asked questions

See also