Canada Passport Photo Requirements
A Canadian passport photo is 50×70 mm — larger than the US and UK specs — with a head height of 31–36 mm, taken on a white or light background and stamped by your guarantor. Here is the full IRCC spec.
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inch) |
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 31 – 36 mm |
| Eye line from bottom edge | Centered vertically, level with the eyes |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Print type | Kodak/chemical photo paper or professional printer (no home inkjet) |
- • Taken within the last 6 months
- • The photo must be stamped and signed on the back by the guarantor (printed applications)
- • Guarantor must write: 'This is a true photo of [name]', plus signature and date
- • Two identical photos are required for a printed passport application
What makes Canadian passport photos different
Three rules distinguish Canada from most other countries. First, the size: 50×70 mm is the largest of the common passport formats. Second, the guarantor requirement — for printed applications, your guarantor must write “This is a true photo of [your name]” and sign the back of each photo. Third, the printing: IRCC explicitly rejects home inkjet prints and requires chemical photo paper or a professional printer.
The head-height tolerance is also tight: 31–36 mm, measured chin to the top of the head. Photos a few millimetres off are the most common rejection cause, which is why cropping to the exact spec matters more here than in other countries.
Digital photos for online renewal
If you renew online through GCKey, you can upload a digital photo instead of a stamped print. It must still meet the full spec — 50×70 mm equivalent, 31–36 mm head height, white background, taken in the last 6 months — and come from a photographer or a compliant photo tool. No guarantor stamp is needed for the digital route.
Make your Canadian passport photo free
Upload a photo — get the exact 50×70 mm crop, white background and 31–36 mm head-size check. In your browser, nothing uploaded.
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