🇳🇬 Nigeria → 🇨🇦 Canada visa · Last verified: May 2026
Canada Visa Photo Requirements for Nigerian Applicants — IRCC & VFS (2026)
Quick answer: IRCC requires 35×45 mm, white or light background, head 31–36 mm (chin to crown), two identical prints when VFS asks for them, plus biometrics at VFS Canada in Lagos or Abuja. Online IRCC applications also need a digital JPEG upload — not your NIS passport crop.
Official sources: VFS Canada/Nigeria · IRCC
Use this page if…
- Nigerian applying for Canada visitor, study, or work visa through VFS.
Do not use this page for: Nigerian passport photo hub renewal, applicants outside this origin country, or generic sizing without VFS context — see general Canada visa photo guide or Nigerian passport photo hub.
Express Entry and study-permit applicants often complete the IRCC digital upload first, then discover at VFS Lagos or Abuja that the appointment letter still lists two printed copies. Use the same 35×45 mm crop for both — a NIS passport print on the right paper size still fails if head height is wrong.
VFS Canada centres in Nigeria
Biometrics and document submission through VFS Global Canada.
| Centre | Address / area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VFS Canada — Lagos | Ground Floor, The Manor, Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki Phase 1 | Southern Lagos catchment |
| VFS Canada — Abuja | 3rd Floor, Sterling Bank Plaza, Plot 1083 Mohammedu Buhari Way, CBD | Northern catchment — same IRCC photo spec |
VFS Canada/Nigeria photo rules · IRCC photo specs
Photo specification
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35×45 mm (IRCC) |
| Head height | 31–36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Glasses | Non-tinted RX OK; no sunglasses |
| Recency | ≤ 6 months |
| Quantity | 2 identical prints (typical) |
| Digital | IRCC portal upload when applying online |
| Paper | High-quality photo paper |
Canada uses 35×45 mm rectangular IRCC spec — confirm head size; do not assume NIS passport crop is interchangeable.
Printed photo or digital upload?
Digital upload is required for online IRCC applications (visitor, study, work). VFS biometrics may still ask for two printed 35×45 mm copies — check your appointment letter. Many online-only flows do not need prints if biometrics capture satisfies IRCC; when in doubt, bring two identical prints.
What usually goes wrong in Nigeria
- Using NIS passport crop instead of IRCC 31–36 mm head height
- Uploading a phone original that fails IRCC digital limits
- Glossy prints when matte/high-quality paper requested
- Only one print when two required
- Shadows on white background from home lighting
- Assuming biometrics at VFS replaces printed photos without checking the appointment letter
Printing in Lagos & Abuja before VFS
Bring two identical 35×45 mm prints on photo paper when your VFS letter requires them. Labs in Victoria Island, Ikeja, Wuse, and Garki can print from a PixID PDF — specify IRCC visa, head 31–36 mm. VFS also offers paid on-site photography (~CAD 15) if you prefer a last-minute option at the centre.
PixID — $4.99
PixID checks crop, background, and file size for Canada visa rules — without altering your face. $4.99, money-back guarantee.
See also
- Nigeria visa photo hub
- Nigerian passport photo hub
- Canada visa photo — general
- Canada Visa doc specs
- Japan visa — Nigeria
- UK visa — Nigeria
Frequently asked questions
What size for Canada visa photo in Nigeria?
How many photos?
Where to submit?
Same as Nigerian passport photo?
Glasses allowed?
Can VFS take my photo?
How recent must the photo be?
Express Entry — same photo for digital and VFS?
Canada visa from Nigeria — IRCC 35×45 mm
Create Your Photo — $4.99Verified against VFS Canada/Nigeria one-pager and IRCC photo guidance.