Canada Visa Photo Requirements for Filipino Applicants
Applying for a Canadian visa from the Philippines? The photo size depends on your application type, and getting the wrong one is the most common rejection reason for Filipino applicants.
Two Different Sizes
Temporary visas (TRV, study, work): 35x45mm, same as your Philippine passport. Permanent residence (Express Entry, Caregiver, Family Class): 50x70mm, a completely different format. Check your application type before getting photos.
Two Sizes: Which One Do You Need?
Canada uses two different photo sizes depending on whether you are applying for a temporary visa or permanent residence. This is the single biggest source of photo rejections for Filipino applicants.
| TRV / Tourist Visa | 35x45mm (same as PH passport) |
| Study Permit | 35x45mm |
| Work Permit | 35x45mm |
| Permanent Residence (Express Entry) | 50x70mm (different!) |
| Caregiver Program (PR stage) | 50x70mm |
| Family Class Sponsorship | 50x70mm |
Do not mix these up
A 35x45mm photo will be rejected for a PR application. A 50x70mm photo will be rejected for a TRV application. Check your IRCC application checklist to confirm which size you need before getting photos taken.
Temporary Visa Photo Specs (35x45mm)
For Tourist Visa (TRV), Study Permit, and Work Permit applications:
| Size | 35x45mm |
| Background | White or light-coloured |
| Glasses | Non-tinted prescription glasses allowed (eyes clearly visible, frame clear of the eyes). No sunglasses or tinted lenses. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Face coverage | Full front of face, clear features |
| Digital format | JPEG, 420x540 to 4800x6000px, max 4MB |
This is the same size as your Philippine passport photo, 35x45mm. If you recently had Philippine passport photos taken, the dimensions are identical. However, the background and expression requirements still apply, so do not reuse an old photo that does not meet Canada’s rules.
Permanent Residence Photo Specs (50x70mm)
For Express Entry, Caregiver Program (PR stage), Family Class Sponsorship, and Super Visa:
| Size | 50x70mm (about 2×2.75 inches) |
| Background | White or light-coloured |
| Glasses | Non-tinted prescription glasses allowed (eyes clearly visible, frame clear of the eyes). No sunglasses or tinted lenses. |
| Head height | 31-36mm from chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Digital format | JPEG, 420x540 to 4800x6000px, max 4MB |
The 50x70mm format is unique to Canada. It does not match any Philippine document, any US visa, or any Schengen visa. You need a photo taken specifically for this purpose.
The Caregiver Program: Watch the Size Change
Canada is the top destination for Filipino caregivers. The application process has two stages with different photo sizes:
- Work permit stage: 35x45mm (temporary visa size)
- Permanent residence stage: 50x70mm (PR size)
Many caregivers use their work permit photos when applying for PR. This will be rejected. When you transition from the work permit to PR application, you need new photos in the larger 50x70mm format.
Comparison: PH Passport vs Canada Visa Photos
| Philippine Passport | 35x45mm, white background |
| Canada TRV / Study / Work | 35x45mm, white or light colour |
| Canada PR / Immigration | 50x70mm, white or light colour |
For temporary visas, the size match with Philippine passport photos is convenient, but do not assume an old Philippine passport photo will be accepted. Canada requires a recent photo (taken within the last 6 months) and a neutral expression.
Common Mistakes (Philippines to Canada)
- Using 35x45mm for a PR application. The temporary visa size is correct for TRV, study, and work permits, but PR applications need 50x70mm. Studios default to the smaller size because it matches the Philippine passport.
- Reusing Caregiver work permit photos for PR. The work permit used 35x45mm; the PR application requires 50x70mm. You need new photos.
- Wearing sunglasses or tinted lenses. Non-tinted prescription glasses are fine for a Canadian visa photo, the same as for a Philippine passport photo, provided your eyes stay clearly visible and the frame does not cover them. What gets rejected is tint. Photochromic lenses are the trap here: they darken in daylight, so take the photo indoors and check the lenses look clear. The rule you may have read that bans glasses outright is the Canadian passport rule, which applies to citizens renewing a passport, not to visa applicants.
- Photo older than 6 months. Canada requires a recent photo. If you had photos taken for your initial work permit 2 years ago, they will be rejected even if the size is correct.
- Coloured or patterned background. Some Philippine studios use blue or grey backgrounds. Canada requires white or light-coloured, and plain white is safest.
Where to Apply: IRCC and VFS Global Manila
Most Canadian visa applications from the Philippines are submitted online through the IRCC portal (canada.ca/immigration). You upload a digital photo as part of your online application.
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected separately at the VFS Global centre in Makati, Manila. You will receive a biometrics instruction letter from IRCC after submitting your application.
- Digital photo: Upload to your IRCC online application (JPEG, correct aspect ratio)
- Printed photos: Bring 2 printed copies to your VFS appointment as backup
- Biometrics letter: Required for your VFS appointment
- Valid passport: With at least 2 blank pages
VFS Global Philippines
VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre is located in Makati City, Metro Manila. Book your biometrics appointment through the VFS Global website after receiving your instruction letter from IRCC.
Where to Get Canada Visa Photos in the Philippines
| Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dollar Passport Photo | ₱56 ($1) | 3 minutes |
| Local photo studio | ₱100-300 | 20-30 minutes |
| VFS Global (at appointment) | ₱300-500 | At appointment |
Local studios near SM malls and commercial areas can handle the standard 35x45mm size. For the 50x70mm PR format, call ahead. Most Philippine studios do not stock this size and may attempt to crop from a larger print, which often results in incorrect proportions.
50x70mm is hard to find locally
If your application requires the 50x70mm PR format, verify with the studio before going. Ask specifically for “50 by 70 millimetres, 5:7 ratio.” If they seem unsure, use an online tool to get the exact format and print at a local shop.
Timeline Reminder
Canadian visa processing times for Filipino applicants vary by type:
- Tourist visa (TRV): 20-40 days
- Study permit: 8-16 weeks
- Work permit: 8-20 weeks
- Express Entry (PR): 6 months target
Get your photos right the first time. A rejection for an incorrect photo size adds weeks to your timeline while you resubmit.
Sources: IRCC Temporary Resident Visa photo specifications, VFS Global Canada, Philippines
Note on the glasses rule: this guide covers visa and permanent residence photos, which follow the IRCC visa specification linked above. Canadian passport photos are a separate document for Canadian citizens and do ban glasses. Do not apply the passport rule to a visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size photo do I need for a Canada tourist visa from the Philippines?
For a Canada Temporary Resident Visa (TRV / tourist visa), you need a 35x45mm photo, the same size as a Philippine passport photo. White or light-coloured background, neutral expression. Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed as long as your eyes are clearly visible.
Is the Canada visa photo the same size as the Philippine passport photo?
It depends on the visa type. For TRV, study permits, and work permits, yes, both are 35x45mm. But for Permanent Residence applications (Express Entry, Caregiver Program, Family Class), Canada requires 50x70mm, a much larger format.
What size photo for Canada PR application from the Philippines?
Canada Permanent Residence applications require 50x70mm photos (about 2x2.75 inches). This is completely different from the 35x45mm used for temporary visas and Philippine passports. Most local studios in the Philippines do not stock this size.
Can I wear glasses in my Canada visa photo?
Yes. IRCC's visa photo specification allows non-tinted prescription glasses, as long as your eyes are clearly visible and the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not acceptable. The rule that bans glasses outright applies to Canadian passport photos, a different document for Canadian citizens, and does not apply to your visa application.
Where is the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines?
The Canadian Embassy is in Makati, Manila. Most visa applications are submitted online through the IRCC portal. Biometrics are collected at the VFS Global centre in Makati. You do not need to visit the embassy directly for most applications.
Where can I get Canada visa photos in the Philippines?
Photo studios near malls charge ₱100-300 for standard 35x45mm prints. For 50x70mm PR photos, most studios will not have this size, so call ahead. Online tools like ours cost ₱56 ($1) and format to the exact size your application requires.
What is the Caregiver Program photo requirement for Canada?
The Caregiver Program is a Permanent Residence pathway, so it requires the larger 50x70mm photo, not the 35x45mm temporary visa size. This catches many Filipino applicants off guard because the caregiver work permit used 35x45mm, but the PR stage does not.
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