Canada Passport Photo
Requirements & Size (50 × 70 mm)
Canada passport photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio. This page summarises the official size, plain white background and head-height rules so you know what to ask for. Independent tool; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
- Official Canada size (50 × 70 mm), plain white background
- Must be taken in person — no software or AI alteration
- Original, unaltered photo required
Canada Passport Photo Requirements
For a Canada passport application, the issuing authority requires a photo of 50 × 70 mm with a plain white background. Head height — measured from chin to crown — must sit between 31 mm and 36 mm, with eyes facing the camera and a neutral expression. The photo should be a taken within the last 6 months colour image, sharp and well-lit, with no shadows on the face or background.
Canada does not accept home-made or software-edited photos. Your photo must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio and must be an original, unaltered image — software, filters, AI, retouching, cropping around the subject and background replacement are all treated as unacceptable changes. For this reason GetShot Passport does not upload, crop, edit or generate Canada passport photos.
Plain, non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed only if the eyes are clearly visible with no glare or reflection; otherwise remove them.
Source: Government of Canada — IRCC. Always double-check the latest specification on the official site before submitting your application.
Canada Photo Specifications
| Attribute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) |
| Pixel size (300 DPI) | 591 × 827 px |
| Background colour | Plain white |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 31–36 mm |
| Eye line (from bottom) | 30–36 mm |
| Resolution | 300 DPI, print-ready |
| File format | JPEG or PNG |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and facing camera |
| Glasses | See official rule below |
| Head covering | Religious only; face fully visible |
How to Get Your Canada Passport Photo
- STEP 01
Read the official requirements
Review the Canada size, plain white background, head height and expression rules before your appointment.
- STEP 02
Visit a commercial photographer
Have your photo taken in person by a professional photo studio. Home-made or software-edited photos are not accepted.
- STEP 03
Collect original prints
The studio provides the required identical prints (dated and stamped where applicable). Keep them unaltered.
- STEP 04
Submit your application
Include the printed photos with your Canada application. Confirm the current rules on the official source first.
Reasons Canada Passport Photos Get Delayed
Wrong dimensions or aspect ratio
Photos cropped to the wrong size can be rejected. Use the official Canada millimetre dimensions, not arbitrary screen pixels.
Background not uniform
Shadows, gradients or coloured walls behind the subject are common problems. The required background colour must be flat and even across the whole frame.
Head too small or too large
Head height (chin to crown) must fall within the official range for Canada. Selfies taken too close to the camera often fail this check.
Glare, shadows or obscured eyes
Glare on glasses, dark shadows around the eyes or under the chin, or anything covering the face can cause a rejection. Check the country-specific glasses rule.
Non-neutral expression
Smiling with teeth, raised eyebrows or an open mouth can violate the biometric requirement. Keep a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Low resolution or over-compression
Photos below 300 DPI, with visible JPEG blocks, or printed too small may be rejected. Export at the recommended resolution.
Canada Passport Photo FAQ
- What is the size of a Canada passport photo?
- A Canada passport photo must be 50 × 70 mm on a plain white background, with the head centred and eyes facing the camera. Resolution should be at least 300 DPI for print-ready output.
- What background colour is required for a Canada passport photo?
- Canada requires a plain white background that is flat, uniform and free of shadows. It must be correct in your original photo — Canada does not allow the background to be replaced with software or AI.
- Can I take a Canada passport photo at home or with an app?
- No. Canada requires the photo to be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio, and it must be an original, unaltered image. Home-made, app-generated or software-edited photos are not accepted, so GetShot Passport does not process Canada passport photos.
- Can I wear glasses in my Canada passport photo?
- Plain, non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed only if the eyes are clearly visible with no glare or reflection; otherwise remove them.
- How much does a Canada passport photo cost with this tool?
- GetShot Passport is a free reference for the Canada rules. The photo itself is taken professionally or via the official process, whose fee varies.
- Is my photo uploaded to a server?
- Canada passport photos are not processed by this tool at all — there is no upload for Canada. For countries we do support, face detection and image processing run entirely in your browser and photos never leave your device.
- Will my Canada passport photo be accepted by the government?
- No tool can guarantee acceptance. The output aims to match the official Canada specification (50 × 70 mm, plain white background, correct head height), but acceptance is always at the discretion of the issuing authority — check the live spec on the authority's website before submitting.
Other North America Passport Photos
Travelling near Canada? Check the passport photo rules for nearby countries.
