Canadian Passport Photo Requirements (2026)

Canadian passport photos must be 50mm × 70mm with a plain white or light-coloured background, neutral expression, and no glasses. Uniquely among major passport authorities, IRCC requires that a commercial photographer stamp the back of each photo with their name, studio address, and the date the photo was taken. Without that stamp, the application is rejected — image quality alone is not enough.

Full Specifications

Size and Dimensions

Canadian passport photos are 50mm × 70mm — taller than they are wide, similar to a small Polaroid. This is one of the larger photo formats in the world; most countries use 35×45mm or 2×2 inch square. If you’re applying from outside Canada and using a non-Canadian photo lab, double-check they’re producing 50×70mm and not the local default.

Your face — measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your crown (excluding hair that floats above your skull) — must be 31mm to 36mm. This is the critical compliance measurement. Photos with the right outer dimensions but wrong face height are routinely rejected.

What IRCC requires:

• Width: exactly 50mm
• Height: exactly 70mm
• Face height: 31–36mm chin to crown
• Face centred: equal space on left and right
• Both edges of face visible — no hair obscuring them

Background

Plain white or light-coloured with no patterns, shadows, or textures. White is safest — light grey or cream technically passes but introduces risk during automated screening. The background must be evenly lit. Even a faint shadow behind your head can trigger rejection.

Stand at least half a metre from the wall to avoid casting shadows. The background should be in focus along with your face — out-of-focus or blurred backgrounds are rejected.

Expression and Pose

IRCC requires a neutral expression — mouth closed, no teeth visible — for anyone over 1 year old. Eyes must be open, looking directly at the camera. Head straight, no tilt, no turn.

Glasses, Headwear, and Accessories

Glasses — Not Permitted

Glasses have been banned in Canadian passport photos since November 2017. This applies to prescription, reading, and tinted glasses. The only exemption is for medical reasons, and IRCC may require a written explanation from a medical professional. Vision impairment alone is not a sufficient reason.

Religious and Medical Headwear

Religious head coverings (hijab, turban, kippah) are allowed provided your full face is visible from chin to forehead. The covering must not cast shadows on your face.

Medical headwear is allowed with documentation explaining the medical reason.

Other Accessories

The Back of the Photo — IRCC’s Most-Missed Requirement

This is the rule that catches most applicants who try a DIY approach. Each of the 2 printed photos must have the following written or stamped on the back:

• Photographer’s name (or studio name)
• Complete studio address
• Date the photo was taken

A studio’s official stamp or seal works. Handwritten is also accepted. Stick-on labels are explicitly rejected. Photos missing this information are returned automatically, regardless of how good the front of the photo looks.

For first-time adult passport applications, your guarantor must also sign the back of one of the two photos along with the words “I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name].” For renewals using the simplified renewal application, no guarantor signature is required — but the photographer’s stamp on both photos is always mandatory.

This is why our $1 file alone isn’t a complete solution for Canadian passports: the digital file gives you the framing, background, and compliance checks, but a commercial photo lab must add the stamp. See our Canadian printing guide for which labs do this and how it works.

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Missing Photographer Stamp on Back

The single most common reason for rejection. Home-printed photos and online-only photo services that mail prints without lab credentials all fail this check.

2. Glasses

Banned since 2017 but still appears regularly because applicants assume “I always wear glasses.” Remove them for the photo.

3. Wrong Background

Off-white, shadowed, or patterned backgrounds. White is the safest choice.

4. Wrong Face Size

Photo dimensions correct (50×70mm) but face height outside the 31–36mm window. Usually too small (photographer stood too far away) or too large (cropped too tight).

5. Smiling or Non-Neutral Expression

Even a slight closed-mouth smile is flagged. Eyebrows raised, squinting, or slight head tilts also cause issues.

6. Photo Too Old

Must be less than 6 months old. If your appearance has changed significantly (hairstyle, weight, facial hair), you need a new photo.

7. Retouching or Digital Editing

IRCC explicitly rejects retouched photos. Moles, scars, wrinkles, and uneven skin must be visible. Background removal in post-processing is also prohibited.

Where to Get Your Photo

Commercial Photo Studios and Pharmacies in Canada

These will produce the print AND stamp the back:

• Shoppers Drug Mart: ~CAD $19 for 2 photos. Widely available. Stamps the back.
• Walmart Photo Centre: ~CAD $10–14. Cheaper than drugstores.
• Costco Photo Centre: ~CAD $5–8. Cheapest, but membership required.
• London Drugs (BC, AB, SK, MB): ~CAD $19. Stamps the back.
• Staples: ~CAD $15–17. Most locations.

The $1 File Route

Use our tool to generate a 50×70mm digital file with the right framing, white background, and face-height check for ~CAD $1.40. Take the file to a Walmart, Costco, or Staples photo counter — they print it for $5–10 AND stamp the back. Total cost typically CAD $6–11, versus CAD $19 at a drugstore.

This works because IRCC requires the photo to be taken by a commercial photographer’s standards (which our compliance check enforces) and the print to come from a lab that can stamp the back. The lab vouches for the print, not the original capture. Confirm with the lab that they will stamp before you pay.

For step-by-step printing instructions, see our Canadian printing guide. For DIY photography that meets IRCC standards before you go to the lab, see our home photo guide.