Canada Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the photo standards for Canadian passports. Here's the complete guide for 2026 applications.
Size Requirements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo width | 50 mm |
| Photo height | 70 mm |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 31–36 mm |
Canadian passport photos are larger than US or UK passport photos. The 50×70 mm format is unique to Canada and a common source of confusion.
Background Requirements
- Colour: Plain white — no patterns, shadows, or gradients
- Uniformity: Must be completely consistent — no variation in tone
- The background must contrast with your hair and skin tone
Expression and Appearance
- Expression: Neutral — mouth closed
- Eyes: Open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
- Glasses: Not allowed (IRCC updated this policy in line with ICAO standards)
- Head position: Straight on, no tilt
- Head coverings: Permitted for daily religious practice; full face must be visible
- No hair covering the face, eyes, or eyebrows
Photo Quality
- In sharp focus
- Taken within the last 6 months
- No shadows on face or background
- Properly exposed — not too bright or too dark
- Printed on high-quality photo paper
- No pixelation, blur, or visible printing artifacts
Two Photos Required
Canadian passport applications require 2 identical photos. Both photos must meet all technical requirements.
Guarantor (Countersignatory) Requirements
Unlike the US, Canada requires a guarantor to sign one of the two photos.
Guarantor requirements:
- Canadian citizen aged 18 or over
- Has known you for at least 2 years
- Can be contacted by IRCC to verify
- NOT a family member living at the same address
What the guarantor signs:
On the back of one photo only, the guarantor writes:
"I certify that this is a true likeness of [applicant's full name]"
followed by their name, signature, date, and telephone number.
The second photo is not signed.
Children's Passport Photos
Same 50×70 mm size requirement. Child must be photographed alone — no adult hands or bodies visible.
Canadian children's passports are valid for 5 years (adult passports 10 years).
For a child's first passport, a guarantor must also certify the photo.
Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) Photos
PR Card photos use the same 50×70 mm format as passport photos. The same composition and quality rules apply.
Common Rejection Reasons (Canada)
- Wrong size — 50×70 mm is larger than many expect; a US 2×2 photo will be rejected
- Glasses — not allowed
- Missing guarantor signature — one photo must be countersigned
- Shadows on background — white must be completely plain
- Photo over 6 months old — must be recent
- Only one photo submitted — two are always required
- Guarantor is a family member — not permitted
Using Our Tool for Canadian Passport Photos
Select "Canada" and "Passport" in our tool to generate compliant 50×70 mm photos with a white background. You'll receive a print-ready sheet with two identical photos for submission.