Canadian Passport
Canada
IRCC-compliant 50×70 mm prints and digital 1200×1800 (min.) with chin-to-crown 45–50% height for online renewal.
Last reviewed:
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Example photo guidance
Canadian Passport — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official Canada photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 50 mm × 70 mm (1.97 in × 2.76 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 1200 × 1800 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Max file size | 5120 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% of photo height (ICAO-aligned) |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 4 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 50mm × 70mm
- Digital: 1200–1200px × 1800–1800px
- Max file size: 5120 KB
Neutral expression, mouth closed, plain white or light background, taken within 6 months, professional-quality photographic paper for prints.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — photo regulations
IRCC publishes Canadian passport-photo regulations in Appendix A of the Passport Program manual. Canada uses a unique 50 × 70 mm size and requires the photographer's name, address, and date taken on the back of one print — distinct from US and Schengen formats.
Why use this Canadian Passport tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons Canadian Passport photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- wrong_photo_dimensions
- face_height_out_of_range
- background_not_plain_light
- shadows_or_poor_contrast
- expression_not_neutral
- glare_on_glasses
- photo_not_identical_or_not_recent
Canadian passport photo rejection patterns from IRCC data
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reports a higher rejection rate than most G7 countries — roughly 25% of mailed-in paper applications return for photo issues, primarily because of Canada's unique requirements that no other country shares.
The two Canada-specific failures dominate: missing or improperly written photographer information on the back of one print, and dimension errors caused by users assuming the US 2×2 inch format works (it doesn't — Canada uses 50 × 70 mm).
- Missing photographer name, address, and date on the back of one print
- Photographer information written in pen that smudges or bleeds through to the photo
- Photo sized to 51 × 51 mm (US) instead of the required 50 × 70 mm
- Background not pure white — cream and off-white are rejected
- Head height outside the 31 – 36 mm chin-to-crown band
- Eye-line not in the upper-middle of the frame
- Glasses worn (IRCC banned them in 2016)
- Two prints that look visibly different from each other
IRCC submission pathways and Service Canada locations
Three options for Canadian passport applications in 2026:
- Service Canada Passport Office — full-service in-person centres in major cities. Walk-in or appointment. 33+ locations including Toronto (4 offices), Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Québec City
- Service Canada Centre with passport service — limited services (renewals only) at 100+ smaller centres across the country
- Mail-in (Passport Program processing centre, Gatineau QC) — for renewals and adult passport applications where in-person isn't practical
- Canadian embassies/consulates abroad — for Canadians outside the country. Photo specification is the same 50 × 70 mm everywhere
Photographer signature requirement — what to write and where
Canada is the only major country that requires identifying information from the photographer on the back of one of the two submitted prints. The required content:
- Photographer's full name (or studio name)
- Photographer's address (or studio address)
- Date the photo was taken (YYYY-MM-DD format preferred)
- Written in ink that won't smudge — ballpoint pen is fine; gel/marker can bleed
- Written on one of the two prints only (the second print stays clean)
- For self-captured photos: write your own name, address, and the capture date — IRCC accepts self-photography for online applications since 2023
Same-photo compatibility — Canadian 50 × 70 mm and other countries
The 50 × 70 mm Canadian format is shared by:
- Brazil — passport photos. Same dimensions and plain white background, no photographer-signature requirement
- Not compatible with: US (51 × 51 mm), India (51 × 51 mm), UK (35 × 45 mm), Schengen (35 × 45 mm), China (33 × 48 mm), or any other major country
- If applying for both Canadian and US passports, capture one source photo and reformat — our tool produces both outputs from a single upload
- If applying for Canadian and Schengen, you need two separate exports — 50 × 70 mm for Canada, 35 × 45 mm for Schengen
Canadian Passport — common questions
Why does Canada require the photographer's name on the back of the print?
Canada's Passport Program (IRCC) requires the photographer's name, address, and the date taken stamped or written on the back of one of the two printed photos submitted. This requirement traces to the pre-digital passport era when IRCC verified photo authenticity via the photographer's credentials. The rule remains in force despite the move to e-passports — write or stamp the back of one print with this information before submission.
What size is a Canadian passport photo?
50 × 70 mm — larger than both the US 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) and the international 35 × 45 mm standard. The head must measure 31 – 36 mm chin-to-crown. Plain white background. This unique size is shared with Brazil; no other major country uses it. A US or UK passport photo cannot be substituted.
Does IRCC accept digital photos for Canadian passport renewals?
Canada is gradually rolling out digital photo uploads for online renewals (started 2023). The full 2 × printed photo requirement still applies for in-person applications and first-time passport submissions. For digital uploads, the resolution requirement is 420 × 540 pixels minimum at 300 DPI.
What is the official Canadian Passport size?
The official Canadian Passport size is 50 mm × 70 mm (1.97 in × 2.76 in). For digital uploads it equals 1200 × 1800 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a Canadian Passport?
Canadian Passport photos must be taken on a plain white background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a Canadian Passport photo?
The head should fill approximately 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a Canadian Passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 50 mm × 70 mm template.
Can I print the Canadian Passport at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 4 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these Canada specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- canada.ca
Last reviewed:
Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.