Canadian Passport Photo Requirements 2026: 50×70mm Size, Guarantor Rules, and Common Mistakes

Canada's passport photo requirements are unlike any other country. While the US uses 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) and the UK uses 35×45 mm, Canada requires a 50×70 mm photo — taller and narrower than both. This unique size trips up thousands of applicants every year, especially those who assume North American passport photos are interchangeable. This guide covers every official requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including the guarantor signature rule that exists nowhere else in the world.

Official Canada passport photo specifications

These are the current IRCC requirements for Canadian passport photos as of 2026.

Important: IRCC requires that Canadian passport photos be taken by a commercial photographer or photo studio. Home-taken photos are not accepted. The photographer must print their name, complete studio address, and date on the back of each photo. Photos without this information are automatically rejected regardless of image quality.

Property	Requirement
Print size	50 × 70 mm (not 2×2 inches)
Minimum digital size	420 × 540 pixels
Maximum digital file size	4 MB
File format (digital)	JPEG
Background	Plain white
Head height (chin to crown)	31–36 mm
Face position	Centred, facing camera directly
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses	Not permitted (since November 2017)
Recency	Taken within last 6 months
Quantity (printed)	2 identical photos

Why 50×70 mm matters

The single most common mistake for Canadian passport applicants is using the wrong photo size. If you walk into a US pharmacy or use a US-oriented photo tool, you will get a 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) photo. That will be rejected instantly. Canada's 50×70 mm format is taller — roughly a 5:7 ratio — which means more of your upper body is visible in the frame. The head must measure between 31 and 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the crown (the natural top of the head, not the top of the hair). If you use a photo cropped to US dimensions, the head sizing will be completely wrong even if you try to resize it.

For comparison:

• Canada: 50 × 70 mm (unique)
• United States: 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches)
• United Kingdom: 35 × 45 mm
• Australia: 35 × 45 mm

Do not assume any other country's photo format will work for a Canadian passport.

IRCC expression and appearance rules

IRCC enforces strict biometric standards for facial recognition matching. Your photo must meet all of the following:

• Expression — neutral only. Mouth closed. No smiling, no raised eyebrows, no squinting. Your face should be relaxed.
• Eyes — both eyes fully open, looking directly into the camera lens. No looking off to the side.
• Glasses — not permitted. Since November 2017, IRCC does not allow any eyewear in passport photos, including prescription glasses, tinted lenses, and sunglasses. Even clear-lens fashion glasses must be removed.
• Head coverings — not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Even then, the full face from chin to forehead must be completely visible with no shadows cast by the covering.
• Hair — must not cover any part of the face. Bangs that fall across the forehead or over the eyes will cause rejection. Tie hair back if needed.
• Lighting — even illumination across the entire face. No shadows on the face, neck, or background. No hot spots or flash reflections.
• Background — plain white or light-coloured. IRCC accepts a plain white or light-coloured background with no patterns, no shadows, and no other objects or people visible.
• Clothing — no uniforms, no camouflage patterns, no white clothing that blends into the background. Avoid heavy or distracting jewellery.

Clothing: IRCC explicitly states: avoid white clothing. It blends into the white background and will cause your photo to be rejected. Wear a dark solid colour — navy, black, or dark grey work best.

The guarantor requirement (unique to Canada)

Canada is one of the only countries in the world that requires a guarantor signature on passport photos. This is not optional for most applications.

For a standard adult passport application, one of your two printed photos must be signed on the back by a guarantor. The guarantor must:

• Have known you personally for at least two years.
• Be a Canadian citizen who holds a valid Canadian passport (or who held one that expired no more than one year ago).
• Not be related to you by blood or marriage.
• Write on the back of one photo: "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your full name]."
• Sign and date the declaration, and include their own passport number, address, and phone number.

If you are applying for a simplified renewal and meet certain criteria (same name, previous passport not expired for more than one year), you may not need a guarantor. Check the IRCC website for current exemptions.

Digital applications: For online submissions, you do not need a physical guarantor signature on the photo file itself. However, the guarantor still completes their section of the application form digitally. The requirement is waived for the photo only — not for the application as a whole.

Printed vs. digital photo requirements

Most Canadian passport applications still require two identical printed photos. The prints must be:

• Exactly 50 × 70 mm.
• Printed on high-quality photo paper (not regular printer paper).
• Sharp, in focus, and with accurate colour reproduction.
• One photo signed on the back by the guarantor (as described above).

For digital submissions (where available through IRCC's online portal), the photo must be:

• At least 420 × 540 pixels.
• JPEG format, no larger than 4 MB.
• Not digitally altered — no filters, no retouching, no background removal done manually. Automated tools like PhotoPass that apply a compliant white background are acceptable.

Common rejection reasons for Canadian passport photos

Service Canada and IRCC processing centres reject photos for these reasons more than any others:

1. Wrong size — using a 2×2 inch (US) photo instead of 50×70 mm. This is the most common error by far.
2. Head too large or too small — the chin-to-crown measurement must be 31–36 mm. Even 1 mm outside this range triggers rejection.
3. Glasses in the photo — the November 2017 rule catches many people who had glasses in their previous passport photo.
4. Shadows on the background — standing too close to the wall creates a shadow behind you. Stand at least 50 cm from the background.
5. Smiling or open mouth — even a slight smile alters facial geometry enough for biometric systems to flag it.
6. Missing or invalid guarantor signature — the guarantor's information on the photo back must match their section of the application.
7. Photo older than 6 months — the photo must reflect your current appearance. Significant changes in weight, hair, or facial hair since the photo was taken will cause rejection.
8. Red eye or flash artefacts — use natural light or diffused flash. Red eye correction is considered digital alteration.
9. Low resolution or blurry print — printing a low-resolution digital file results in a blurry print that fails quality checks.

How to take a Canada passport photo at home

You do not need a professional studio. A smartphone with a decent camera is enough. Follow these steps:

1. Background — stand in front of a plain white wall. If you do not have a white wall, hang a white sheet or use a white poster board. Ensure it is wrinkle-free and evenly lit.
2. Lighting — face a large window for natural, even light. Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows. If shooting at night, use two lamps placed on either side of the camera at equal distance.
3. Distance — stand at least 50 cm from the background to avoid casting shadows. Have the photographer stand about 1.5 metres away.
4. Camera height — the camera should be at eye level. Use a tripod or stack of books to position the phone correctly.
5. Framing — frame from mid-chest up. Leave space above the head. PhotoPass will crop to the exact 50×70 mm dimensions automatically.
6. Expression — neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the lens.
7. Take multiple shots — take at least 5–10 photos and choose the one with the best lighting and sharpest focus.
8. Upload to PhotoPass — use PhotoPass for Canada Passport to crop, size, and verify compliance automatically.

For a detailed walkthrough with lighting diagrams and camera settings, see our full guide: How to Take a Passport Photo at Home.

Children's passport photos

Canadian passport photos for children follow the same 50×70 mm size and white background requirements as adults. Additional considerations:

• Babies and toddlers — the child must be the only person in the photo. Lay infants on a white sheet and photograph from directly above. No hands, toys, or pacifiers may be visible.
• Eyes open — for children under one year, IRCC is more lenient about eyes being partially closed, but both eyes should be open if possible.
• Expression — neutral. No crying, no laughing. For very young children, this often means taking many photos quickly.
• Head size — the same 31–36 mm chin-to-crown rule applies, which can be tricky with small faces. PhotoPass handles this sizing automatically.
• Guarantor — children's photos still require a guarantor signature. The guarantor must have known the child (or the child's parent) for at least two years.

In-store photo services vs. PhotoPass

Several Canadian retailers offer passport photo services:

Service	Typical price	Notes
Shoppers Drug Mart	$16.99–$19.99	Staff trained on Canadian specs. Quality varies by location.
London Drugs	$14.99–$17.99	Western Canada only. Generally reliable.
Walmart Photo Centre	$12.97–$14.97	Lowest price but some locations have closed photo departments.
Staples	$16.99	Available at most locations.
PhotoPass	From $2.99	AI-verified compliance, instant results, retake until perfect. Print at home or any pharmacy.

In-store services give you prints on the spot, but you have limited retakes and no way to verify compliance before submitting. PhotoPass checks every IRCC requirement automatically and provides both a digital file and a 4×6-inch print sheet you can print at any pharmacy for under $1.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Canadian passport photo exactly?

50 × 70 mm for prints, minimum 420 × 540 pixels for digital. This is unique to Canada — do not use US 2×2 inch photos.

Do I need a guarantor signature on a digital photo?

No. For digital submissions, the guarantor completes their section of the application form online. You do not need a physical signature on the photo file. However, the guarantor requirement still applies to your application as a whole.

Can I wear glasses?

No. Since 2020, IRCC does not allow any eyewear in passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and clear-lens fashion frames. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo.

Can I smile?

No. You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Even a slight smile can cause rejection because it alters the facial measurements used by biometric systems.

Does the background have to be white?

Yes. IRCC requires a plain white background with no shadows, patterns, or gradients. Light grey or off-white will be rejected. For tips on achieving a proper background, see our common rejection reasons guide.

How recent does my photo need to be?

Within the last 6 months. The photo must reflect your current appearance, including hair colour, facial hair, and weight.

Can I take my own photo with a selfie?

IRCC does not explicitly ban self-taken photos, but the photo must meet all technical requirements — proper distance, no arm visible, correct framing. Using a timer or having someone else take the photo is strongly recommended.

Create your Canada passport photo

Use PhotoPass for Canada Passport to generate a compliant 50×70 mm photo with pure white background, IRCC-verified head sizing, and a printable 4×6-inch sheet. Upload your photo, and PhotoPass handles cropping, background replacement, and compliance checks automatically. See also: How to Take a Passport Photo at Home and Common Passport Photo Rejection Reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2×2 inch US passport photo work for a Canadian passport?

No. Canadian passport photos must be 50×70mm (2 × 2¾ inches), which is taller and narrower than the US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square. Most US photo locations (CVS, Walgreens) default to the US size. You need to specifically request the Canadian 50×70mm format. Staples, FedEx Office, and AAA locations in the US sometimes have the Canadian template — always confirm before paying.

Q: Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?

No. IRCC has banned all glasses in Canadian passport photos since November 2017. This includes prescription lenses, reading glasses, tinted lenses, and clear-lens fashion frames. The only exception is for documented medical reasons where glasses physically cannot be removed, and you may need a written explanation from a medical professional. Vision impairment alone is not a sufficient reason.

Q: Does the photographer need to stamp the back of the photo?

Yes. Each printed photo must have the photographer's name, complete studio address, and the date the photo was taken stamped or handwritten on the back. Stick-on labels are not accepted. IRCC also requires that your photos be taken by a commercial photographer or photo studio — home-taken photos and home-printed photos are not accepted for Canadian passport applications.

Q: Do I need a guarantor for my Canadian passport photo?

For new passport applications, yes. Your guarantor must be a Canadian citizen who has known you for at least two years and is not a family member. They must write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your full name]" on the back of one photo, sign it, and include their passport number. For adult passport renewals where your name has not changed and your previous passport expired less than one year ago, a guarantor is generally not required.

Q: What should I wear for a Canadian passport photo?

Wear a dark or medium-coloured top. IRCC explicitly warns against white clothing because it blends into the white background and will cause rejection. Navy, black, or dark grey are safe choices. Avoid busy patterns, logos, and anything that could cause glare or reflections.