Canadian Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Complete Guide
IRCC Photo Specifications
Canadian passport photos must be 50x70mm (approximately 2x2.75 inches) when printed, larger than the 35x45mm standard used by most countries and different from the 2x2 inch US format. The face must measure between 31mm and 36mm from the chin to the natural hairline, and the full head from chin to crown must be visible within the frame. The background must be plain white or a uniform light color with no visible patterns, shadows, or objects. Expression must be neutral with mouth closed and eyes open looking directly at the camera. Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer and include specific information on the back of each print. Two identical photos are required, and photos must have been taken within the last 12 months.
The Guarantor System
Canada's passport photo system is unique in requiring a guarantor to sign one of the two submitted photos on the back. The guarantor must be a Canadian citizen who has known the applicant for at least two years and whose own passport is valid. The guarantor signs across the back of one photo and writes a declaration that the photo is a true likeness of the applicant. This requirement applies to both adult and child passport applications. The guarantor cannot be a family member or someone who lives at the same address. If you cannot find a guarantor who meets all requirements, alternative processes exist through IRCC, but these take significantly longer. Having a guarantor lined up before your photo appointment streamlines the process.
Photographer Requirements and Back-of-Print Information
Unlike most countries where self-taken photos are fully acceptable, Canadian passport photos must be taken at a commercial photography studio or authorized facility. The photographer must print the following information on the back of each photo: the photographer's name, complete studio address, date the photo was taken, and the studio's official stamp or seal. Photos without this back-of-print information are automatically rejected regardless of image quality. Many pharmacies across Canada, including Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs, offer passport photo services with the required back-of-print information. Independent photo studios near Service Canada offices are also familiar with the exact requirements.
Digital Upload Requirements
For online Canadian passport applications through the IRCC portal, digital photo uploads must meet specific technical requirements. The minimum resolution is 420x540 pixels, though higher resolution is recommended for best results. The file must be in JPEG format with a size between 240 KB and 5 MB. The photo must be taken by a commercial photographer even for digital submission; the digital file is typically provided by the studio alongside the physical prints. The IRCC portal has a photo validation step that checks dimensions and file size before accepting the upload. Both the digital file and physical prints must be from the same photo session, as discrepancies between digital and printed versions can delay processing.
Common Canadian Passport Photo Issues
The most frequent reasons for Canadian passport photo rejection are: missing photographer information on the back of the print (name, address, date, or stamp), face measurement outside the 31-36mm chin-to-hairline range, the guarantor signature missing or incorrectly placed on the print, and submitting photos not taken within the last 12 months. The 50x70mm format is a common source of error when studios unfamiliar with Canadian requirements produce the standard 35x45mm European size instead. Digital upload rejections most often result from file sizes outside the 240 KB to 5 MB range. To avoid these issues, visit a pharmacy or studio that explicitly advertises Canadian passport photo services, verify the back-of-print information before leaving, and ask the photographer to measure the chin-to-hairline distance with a ruler on the print.
Prêt à créer votre photo de passeport ?
Utilisez notre outil en ligne gratuit pour créer des photos de passeport conformes pour tout pays.
Ouvrir l'éditeur