Canadian passport photos are larger than most people expect. At 50 x 70mm (2 x 2 inches), they're the biggest standard passport photo among Western countries - taller than the UK's 35 x 45mm and wider than the US 2 x 2 inch square. This catches people off guard when they try to use a photo taken for another country's documents.
The print dimensions haven't changed in decades, but IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has been gradually expanding digital submission options. Below are the exact specs for both printed and digital photos.
Need a Canada-sized photo?
Upload any photo. We crop to 50 x 70mm, set white background, position the face per IRCC rules, and export as JPEG.
Canadian Passport Photo Dimensions
| Unit | Width | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 50mm | 70mm | Official IRCC specification |
| Centimetres | 5.0cm | 7.0cm | Same measurement, metric |
| Inches | 2" | 2" (2.756") | Commonly written as "2 x 2.75 inches" |
| Pixels (min) | 420px | 540px | Digital submissions (minimum) |
| Pixels (max) | 600px | 780px | Digital submissions (maximum) |
| DPI (for print) | 300 DPI recommended | Produces 591 x 827 pixels | |
Face Size Within the Photo
Canada has specific rules about how much of the frame your face should occupy. This is where things get precise:
| Measurement | Requirement | In the Photo Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Face height (chin to crown) | 31mm - 36mm | About 44-51% of photo height |
| Space above head | Visible gap, not touching edge | Roughly 5-10mm above crown |
| Shoulders | Both visible at bottom | More shoulder shown than US/UK |
| Face position | Centred, facing directly forward | Equal space on both sides |
Because the photo is so tall (70mm vs 45mm for UK), more of your upper body is visible. This means the framing matters - you can't crop too tightly or the photo won't show enough shoulder area.
How Canada Compares to Other Countries
| Country | Size | Shape | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 50 x 70mm | Rectangular (5:7) | White |
| United States | 51 x 51mm (2 x 2") | Square (1:1) | White |
| United Kingdom | 35 x 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | Light grey |
| Schengen / EU | 35 x 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | White or light grey |
| India | 51 x 51mm (2 x 2") | Square (1:1) | White |
| Australia | 35 x 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | White |
US vs Canada: Same width, very different height
Canada and the US are both 50-51mm wide (roughly 2 inches), so the face size is similar. But Canada adds 19mm of extra height (70mm vs 51mm), showing significantly more of the upper body. This difference means you can't simply crop a US photo taller - you need the source image to include enough body below the chin.
Digital Photo Specifications (IRCC Online)
If you're applying online through the IRCC portal, here are the digital photo specs:
Technical Requirements
- - Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- - File size: 240KB - 4MB
- - Min pixels: 420 x 540
- - Max pixels: 600 x 780
- - Aspect ratio: 5:7
- - Colour: Full colour, natural tones
Content Requirements
- - White, plain background
- - Neutral expression, mouth closed
- - No glasses (since Oct 2023)
- - Taken within last 12 months
- - Face clearly visible, no shadows
- - No retouching or filters
Printed Photo Requirements
If you're submitting a paper application (by mail or in person), the printed photos have additional requirements beyond just the size:
- Two identical photos required
- Printed on high-quality photo paper (glossy or matte)
- No creases, scratches, or marks
- Photographer's name and address stamped or printed on the back
- Date the photo was taken printed on the back
- One photo must be signed on the back by your guarantor
The guarantor requirement is unique to Canada. They write: "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name]" and sign it. The guarantor must have known you for at least 2 years and hold a valid Canadian passport.
Where to Get Canadian Passport Photos
Shoppers Drug Mart / London Drugs
CAD $15-20 per set. Most convenient option for Canadians. Staff know the correct size. Available at most locations.
Walmart Photo Centre / Costco
CAD $10-15 per set. Budget option. Quality varies by location - double-check the crop before leaving.
Professional Photographer
CAD $20-40. Best quality and lighting. Worth it if you've had photos rejected before or need them for a sensitive application.
DIY with VisaPicPro (Free)
Upload a phone photo and we crop to 50 x 70mm, fix background, and check IRCC requirements. Download for free, print at any photo kiosk. Create your photo
Making Your Own Canadian Passport Photo
- Background setup: White wall, no patterns. If you don't have a white wall, use a white bedsheet taped up flat.
- Take the photo: Have someone hold the phone at chest height, about 1.5 metres away. Rear camera, portrait mode off (it can blur shoulders). Include body from about the waist up.
- Upload to our tool: Open VisaPicPro with Canada preset. Upload your photo.
- Auto-processing: We crop to 50 x 70mm, position your face at the correct height, clean up the background, and export as JPEG within the 240KB-4MB range.
- For print: Use our print template tool to arrange photos on a 4 x 6 sheet. Print at any photo printer.