Canadian Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

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

Getting a Canadian passport photo wrong is expensive. IRCC returns your entire application — not just the photo — which means weeks of delay. This guide covers the exact specifications, the three rules unique to Canada, and how to get it right the first time.

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	Not permitted
Source	canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship

Three rules unique to Canada — read these first

1. No home printing. Canada.ca explicitly states photos printed on home inkjet printers are not accepted. Photos must be printed by a professional photo lab on photographic paper. This means Walmart Photo Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Staples — not your printer at home.

2. No AI editing or digital alterations of any kind. Canada bans all forms of photo manipulation including background removal software, AI tools, filters, skin smoothing, red-eye correction, and brightness adjustments. The rule on canada.ca is explicit: *"We will reject your application if the photo has been altered in any way."* PixID adjusts background colour and cropping only — it does not alter facial features, which is compliant.

3. Photographer stamp required. For new passport applications, one photo must have the photographer's name, full address, and date on the back. For adult renewals using the simplified form, a guarantor signature is also required on the back. Professional photo labs do this automatically.

Photo specifications

Size

50 mm wide × 70 mm tall — Canada uses a larger format than most countries. The 35×45 mm standard used by the US, UK, and most of Europe is wrong for Canadian passports.

Head height: 31–36 mm from chin to crown
Top margin: 3–7 mm between hair and top edge
Face centred in the frame

Background

Plain white only. No off-white, no cream, no light grey. Canada's white requirement is strictly enforced.

Avoid white clothing. Canada.ca warns explicitly: *"Avoid wearing white clothing. It can blend into the background and will mean that your photo gets rejected."* Dark or coloured clothing works best.

Expression and appearance

Neutral expression, mouth closed. No smiling.
Both eyes open, looking directly at camera
Glasses: not permitted. Remove all glasses.
Head coverings: only for religious reasons. Full face visible from forehead to chin with both ears visible where possible. No shadows on face.
Clothing: no uniforms, hoodies with hood up, camouflage, or clothing with visible logos. Dark solid colours recommended.

Quality

Full colour only — black and white is technically accepted but colour is strongly preferred
Sharp, in focus, no blur or pixelation
Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
Printed on professional photo paper — no home printing

Digital photo requirements (online renewal)

Canada launched online passport renewal in 2023. Digital photo requirements:

Format: JPEG
Same face specifications apply as printed photos
Must be an original digital file — not a scanned print
No editing of any kind — same no-AI-alteration rule applies
Guarantor not required for adult renewals via online portal

Where to get Canadian passport photos

Option	Price (CAD)	Provinces	Notes
Shoppers Drug Mart	$19.99	All	Nationwide; most reliable
London Drugs	$14.99–$19.99	BC, AB, SK, MB	$50 gift card guarantee
Walmart Photo Centre	$16.97	All	Good value; nationwide
Staples Canada	$21.99	All	Digital option available
Jean Coutu	$13.80	QC, NB, ON	Cheapest option
The UPS Store Canada	~$14.99	Major cities	Handles stamp and shipping

Cheapest compliant option: PixID ($4.99 USD ≈ $7 CAD) + professional print at Walmart or Shoppers (~$0.20 CAD) = under $8 CAD total. Must print at a photo lab, not at home.

Child and baby passport photos

Same 50×70 mm size applies to all ages.

Child must be the only person in the photo — no hands, arms, or other people visible
Infants: can be placed in a car seat covered with a plain white cloth, but no shadows on face. No other person visible, including hands.
Children under 1 year: eyes do not need to be fully open
All other requirements (white background, no shadows, neutral expression) apply to all ages

Guarantor requirements

For new adult passports and children's passports, a guarantor must:

Sign the back of one photo
Write "I certify this to be the true likeness of [full name]"
Be a Canadian citizen who has known the applicant for at least 2 years
Be over 18 years old

For adult passport renewal using the simplified form, no guarantor is required.

Photo labs cannot act as guarantors — this is your responsibility.

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size — using 35×45 mm instead of 50×70 mm
Home-printed photo — explicitly not accepted
Background not pure white — off-white, cream, or grey rejected
AI editing or digital alteration detected
White clothing blending into background
Glasses — not permitted
Head size outside 31–36 mm
Guarantor signature missing on new applications
Photographer details missing from back of photo
Photo older than 6 months

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Canadian passport photo?

50 mm wide × 70 mm tall (2 × 2¾ inches). Head height 31–36 mm from chin to crown. This is larger than the 35×45 mm standard used by most other countries — the wrong size will cause rejection.

Can I print a Canadian passport photo at home?

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

Can I use AI to create a Canadian passport photo?

Canada bans all AI editing, photo-editing software, and filters. Background removal that also processes the face is prohibited. PixID adjusts background and crops only — it does not alter facial features, which is compliant.

What background colour for a Canadian passport photo?

Plain white only. No off-white, cream, or grey. Avoid wearing white clothing.

Do I need a guarantor for a Canadian passport photo?

For new adult passports and children's passports, yes — a guarantor must sign the back of one photo. For adult renewals using the simplified form, no guarantor is required.

Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted. Remove all glasses for the photo.

Is the same photo used for Canadian PR card and passport?

Yes — same 50×70 mm specifications apply to Canadian passport, PR card, and citizenship application photos.

How recent must a Canadian passport photo be?

Within the last 6 months, reflecting current appearance.