Canada Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to canada passport photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-12.
Canadian passport photos must be 50x70mm with a white or light-coloured background, making them notably larger than the standard used in most countries. Since 2023, glasses are no longer permitted, and the face must measure between 31mm and 36mm from chin to crown of the head. For online submissions, photos should be 600x840 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with file sizes between 100 KB and 15 MB. These specifications are governed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which also requires that printed photos be stamped and signed by a commercial photographer. PassportPic produces IRCC-compliant photos instantly, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 50mm x 70mm |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 840 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White or light-coloured |
| Head Size | 56-69% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 100 KB - 15 MB |
| Document Type | Passport |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression with mouth closed
Glasses
Not allowed since 2023
Head Covering
Not allowed unless worn daily for religious reasons
Additional Requirements
- Photo must be taken by a commercial photographer
- Photographer must stamp and sign the back of printed photos
- Face must measure between 31mm and 36mm from chin to crown
- No digital alterations to facial features allowed
- Photo must be taken within the last 12 months
- Both ears should be visible if possible
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white or light-coloured — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 56-69% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for Canada Passport photos: not allowed since 2023. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression with mouth closed. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 50mm x 70mm; digital submissions need 600x840 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-01-12