Canada Passport (By photographer or studio) (50 x 70 mm) Photo Size Requirements and Online Tool

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Do not worry about the photo size requirements. Our online tool makes correct photos, ensuring the photo size and head size are correct. Background will be enhanced as well.

Rules for Canadian passport photos

You must submit two (2) identical photos with each passport application.

Your photos must be:

• taken by a commercial photographer.
• 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide X 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head).
• clear, sharp and in focus. Photos may be in colour or in black and white.
• taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling).
• taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections.
• taken straight on, with face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera.
• taken in front of a plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between your face and the background. Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
• original photos that are not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo.
• reflect your current appearance (taken within the last 12 months).
• professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper (photos printed at home and photos printed on heavy weight paper are not acceptable).

The following must be included on the back of one photo:

• the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken. The photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are unacceptable.
• your guarantor clearly write: "I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicant's name)" and sign his or her name (unless you are applying to renew a passport, as no guarantor is necessary for renewals).

Extra details

• Glasses, including tinted prescription glasses, may be worn in photos as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare in the glasses. Sunglasses or photos where there is the red-eye effect are unacceptable.
• Hats and head coverings must not be worn, unless it is worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons. However, your full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
• Your hair can be down.
• Shadows are not acceptable. Lighting must be uniform to avoid shadows across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.

Child photos

• Child photos must follow the same rules indicated above.
• Photos must show the child's head and shoulders only. Parent's or child's hands must not appear in the photo.
• Passport Canada recognizes the difficulty in obtaining a neutral expression of a newborn and will allow for some tolerance in this regard.
• For newborn babies, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head. There must be no shadows on the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.
• If applying for a one-time replacement passport for a child, you must include a photo that has been taken within one month of the date the application is submitted.

If you want to make passport/visa photos for other countries, click the button below.

Make Passport/Visa Photo for Other Countries

How to make Canada Passport (By photographer or studio) photo online

Step 1: Take a picture with a digital camera or a smartphone

Make sure someone takes your passport photo for you. Selfies are not accepted. Make use of your tripod if you have one. By using a tripod, you will be able to keep the camera level and steady. Ideally, the person should be around 1 meter away from the camera.

Step 2: Choose a venue with appropriate lighting

Face a bright window or the door when taking a photo. In this way, shadows can be avoided on the face and in the background. It is essential that the face is evenly lit. Ensure that the face is free of shadows and glares.

Note: You do not need to worry about the background, since our online passport photo generator will automatically do it for you.

Step 3: Dress appropriately for your passport photo

Uniforms should not be worn. Put on regular street clothes for your photo.

Eyeglasses should not be worn. You should remove any sunglasses, tinted glasses, or glasses that you wear if you are taking a passport photo.

Ensure that your face is fully visible. Make sure your hair doesn't cover your face or obscure your eyes. In the case of very long bangs covering your eyebrows, pin them back with bobby pins. Although it's better to show your ears as well, that won't stop your photo from being accepted.

Passport photos don't allow hats unless they're religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke.

Step 4: Pose for a passport photo

Face the camera straight on and look straight at it. Avoid tilting or rotating the head.

It is important that the shoulders are visible, and there should be enough space around the head to crop the picture.

Make sure the camera is at the same level as the head.

Step 5: Maintain neutral facial expressions

It's okay to smile in your passport photo, but the government prefers you to have a neutral facial expression.

Under the new international passport rules, it is usually not acceptable to smile or have your mouth open.

Good and bad examples of passport photos

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