Canada Passport Photo Requirements (2026): Complete IRCC Guide

First: determine which rules apply to your application

Before reviewing the full requirements, confirm your application type. One critical rule changes between first-time applications and renewals:

1. Photo size: 50 × 70 mm

Exact dimensions: 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (approximately 2 inches by 2¾ inches). This is a portrait-format rectangle, taller than it is wide.

Comparison with other major countries:

2. Face height: 31–36 mm from chin to crown

This is the single most common technical rejection reason. Within the 70 mm photo height, your face must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from the bottom of your chin to the crown of your head.

What "crown" means: "Crown" means the top of your skull, not the top of your hair. This matters most for voluminous or high hair (afro, high bun, mohawk, voluminous curls) — the top of visible hair may be significantly higher than the crown of the skull. The measurement is always to the crown, not the hair. Hats and head coverings do not change the crown measurement.

Why photos fail the face height check: Most rejected photos have a face that is too small (below 31 mm). This happens when the photographer positioned the subject too far from the camera. If you are getting photos taken in person, ask the photographer to confirm the face height measurement before you leave.

3. Background: plain white

The background must be plain white or very light-coloured with no patterns, shadows, or gradients. IRCC rejects photos with:

• Any shadow on the background behind the subject
• Textured walls, curtains, or patterned surfaces
• Gradient or off-white backgrounds
• Any object visible in the background

Why the "avoid white clothing" warning exists: IRCC explicitly warns applicants not to wear white clothing because it blends into the white background. This can cause the automated system to fail to distinguish where the person ends and the background begins. Avoid white shirts, white blouses, or white jackets when having your photo taken.

4. Glasses: completely prohibited

IRCC does not permit any glasses in Canadian passport photos. This applies to:

• Prescription glasses
• Reading glasses
• Sunglasses (including lightly tinted)
• Clear-lens fashion frames
• Sports glasses or goggles

Contact lenses are acceptable. If you normally wear contacts, you can wear them for the photo. The restriction applies only to frames and lenses.

Medical exception: A rare exception exists. If removing glasses is medically dangerous (for example, certain post-operative conditions), include a written explanation from your doctor with your passport application. This exception is intended for genuine medical necessity and is not a general exemption for inconvenience or preference.

Glare or not — glasses are still prohibited. Even if your eyes are completely visible through your glasses and there is no glare at all on the lenses, glasses are still not permitted. The rule is categorical.[/INFO]

5. Head coverings

Head coverings are not permitted in Canadian passport photos unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. If worn for religious or medical reasons, the full face must remain completely visible and there must be no shadow on the face from the covering.

IRCC explicitly states that the following must be completely visible in all circumstances:

• Both eyes fully open
• Full face from chin to forehead
• Both ears (unless your religious practice requires covering them — in which case one or both ears may be covered if it is your normal daily practice)

A dark niqab or face veil that obscures the lower face is not permitted for passport photos. A hijab that frames the face but leaves the full face visible is permitted if worn daily for religious reasons.

6. The Photographer Note: what it must contain

The Photographer Note is required on the back of each Canadian passport photo submitted in a printed application. The photographer must write or stamp three specific pieces of information:

1. The photographer's name or studio name 2. The complete studio address (street, city, province, postal code) 3. The date the photo was taken

This requirement applies to every printed passport application — both first-time and renewal. The Photographer Note is separate from and in addition to any guarantor signature requirement.

7. Guarantor rules: first-time vs renewal

The guarantor requirement on passport photos works differently depending on your application type:

First-time adult passport (PPTC 153): A guarantor must sign the back of one of your two photos. The guarantor must also complete Section C of the application form. The guarantor must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older who has known the applicant for at least two years and can be reached by phone.

Adult passport renewal (PPTC 054): No guarantor signature on the photo is required. If your name has not changed and your previous passport has not been expired for more than one year, the guarantor requirement on the photo is skipped entirely.

Child passports: The guarantor requirement on the photo depends on whether the application is a first-time application or a renewal. For first-time child passports, a guarantor must sign one photo. For renewals where the child is eligible, the guarantor signature on the photo is not required.

8. No AI editing: the complete prohibition

Canada.ca explicitly states the photo must not be altered in any way, including by photo-editing software, filters, or AI tools. IRCC will reject an application if the photo has been altered. Prohibited alterations include:

• Background removal and replacement
• Skin tone correction or whitening
• Brightness or contrast adjustments
• Red-eye removal
• Any facial feature modification
• Sharpening or noise reduction filters
• AI-generated or AI-enhanced photos

The photo must be saved directly from the original camera file. A photo that was taken on a phone and had its background digitally replaced — even with a plain white background — is not compliant.

9. Digital photo requirements for online passport renewal

For online adult passport renewal in Canada, the digital photo has specific requirements that differ from printed applications:

• Format: JPEG or JPG only
• Source: Saved directly from the original camera file (not a scan of a printed photo)
• Alteration: None permitted — same AI/editing prohibition as printed photos
• Background: Same plain white/very light-coloured requirement
• Face height: Same 31–36 mm from chin to crown
• Expression, glasses, head coverings: Same rules apply
• Photographer: A commercial photographer is still required — the photo cannot be taken at home

For current pixel dimension requirements, check the IRCC online renewal portal at canada.ca at the time of your application, as technical file specifications may be updated.

10. Baby and child passport photo rules

Canadian passport photos for babies and young children follow the same size requirements (50×70 mm, face 31–36 mm) but IRCC acknowledges specific practical accommodations:

Eyes: Babies and very young children may have their eyes partially closed or looking slightly off-camera. IRCC guidelines state that for babies, a slight deviation from the straight-ahead gaze is acceptable.

Mouth: A slightly open mouth is acceptable for babies. The neutral-expression rule is applied with more flexibility for infants.

Positioning: The child must be photographed alone — no parent's hands, arms, or any other person visible in the frame. For very young babies who cannot hold their head up, lay the child on a plain white sheet and photograph from above. The white sheet serves as the background.

Car seat photos: A baby photographed in a car seat with a dark or patterned background behind the seat will be rejected. The background behind and around the child must be plain white.

What happens if IRCC rejects your passport photo

If IRCC mails your application back because of a photo problem, you have 90 days from the date of the return letter to submit corrected photos without paying the application fee again. After 90 days, the application is closed and you must restart the process and repay the fee.

Current adult passport fees (as of March 31, 2026):

• 5-year adult passport: CAD $122.50
• 10-year adult passport: CAD $163.50

This 90-day window makes it important to act quickly if your application is returned. Read the rejection letter carefully — IRCC will identify the specific reason for rejection, which tells you exactly what to correct.

Complete rejection checklist: