Verified against official sourceLast checked: 2026-08-13

🇨🇦 Canada Passport Photo (paper application)

We check one selfie against every photo requirement listed on this page.

IRCC requires paper-application photos to be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio.

Print size
50 × 70 mm
Background
white or light-coloured — Avoid white clothing because it can blend into the background
Head size
31 – 36 mm

Use this page only for Canada Passport Photo (paper application). Similar applications can use a different submission method, size or file limit. Why this rule has its own page

  1. ✓Choose rulecompleted
  2. 2Upload photocurrent
  3. 3Generatenot started
  4. 4Get resultnot started
🇨🇦Selected requirementCanada Passport Photo (paper application)50 × 70 mm · white or light-coloured — Avoid white clothing because it can blend into the background · 31 – 36 mmChange

Upload one clear, recent photo

A phone photo is fine. Face the camera, use even light and keep your full head and shoulders in frame.

This authority may reject digitally altered photos. If the automatic checks and adjustments are insufficient, we may generate an AI-assisted option for you to compare and review.
For photos you upload, AI generation starts automatically when this rule cannot be met in the browser; photos taken with the camera here are only sent if you start it yourself. Either way the optimized photo is uploaded for processing — compare the generated face with the original before use.Privacy policy
Exact requirement

What this photo must meet

These values come from the selected rule and are used during generation.

Print size
50 × 70 mm
Background
white or light-coloured — Avoid white clothing because it can blend into the background
Head size
31 – 36 mm
Photo age
Taken within the last 6 months
Editing
No retouching, filters or background replacement allowed
Glasses
Clear lenses only
Headwear
Religious head covering only
Face & expression
Neutral
Official source: www.canada.ca

Note: IRCC requires paper-application photos to be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio. Photos altered with software, filters or AI tools are rejected. Use this page to check the requirements before the photo session, not to produce the photo.

Application

Canada Passport Photo (paper application)

Use this page only for Canada Passport Photo (paper application). Similar applications can use a different submission method, size or file limit.

Application
Passport
Submission
Printed photo
Official source
IRCC
Last checked
2026-08-13
Application

Canada Passport Photo (online renewal)

Open this rule
Canada Passport Photo (paper application)Canada Passport Photo (online renewal)
SubmissionPrinted photoOnline upload
Print size50 × 70 mmNot listed in this rule
Pixel sizeNot listed in this rule1200×1800 – 3000×4500 px
Aspect ratioNot listed in this rule2:3
File formatNot listed in this ruleJPEG, JPG

Common rejection reasons

An edited photo is rejected, including AI

Filters, editing software and AI tools all count as alteration, and this page's own generated output is no exception — use it to check the requirements before your studio appointment, not to make the photo you submit.

Shadows on the background

Furniture or shadows behind you are the top rejection cause. We detect them before you submit.

HEIC from iPhone

Many systems only accept JPEG. iPhone photos are HEIC by default — we convert automatically.

Face too close or too far

Head size must sit in an exact range. We position it precisely, no guessing.