Printed passport photo
Size or file50 mm wide × 70 mm high
Face reference31–36 mm from chin to crown
Important noteSubmit 2 identical and unaltered photos. They may be colour or black and white, but must be professionally printed.
Canada
Canadian Passport Photo Requirements
Use this Canada-focused guide to create a 50×70 mm prepared photo, then check the current Canada passport rules for print, online renewal, appearance, background and photo-back details.
The tool below prepares a prepared photo. Final acceptance, photographer details and digital-upload handling are controlled by the Canadian passport application route.
Create a Canada Passport photo preview
Upload a portrait to prepare a 50 × 70 mm Canada passport photo preview. Use it to preview the Canada preset before you decide how to print, save or retake the photo.
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Confirm the Canada passport preset
- 1. Country or region
- Canada
- 2. Document type
- Passport
Technical output preset
Loading the Canada preset...
AI-generated visual comparison, not an actual processing result. The selected preset controls the final dimensions and export format.
This Canada passport photo maker creates a formatted photo with the configured 50 × 70 mm preset. It cannot confirm photographer identity details, photo-back wording, online renewal file handling, photo age, natural likeness or official acceptance. This service handles the stated size and image processing only; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Canada-first check
Canadian passport photo requirements depend on the route
The Canada preset helps you create a prepared photo quickly. The route still decides whether you need printed photos, a digital renewal photo, photographer details, or guarantor wording.
- Printed applications use two identical 50×70 mm photos with a 31–36 mm chin-to-crown face height.
- Online renewal needs a digital passport photo, not a scan of a printed photo.
- The photo must show a current natural likeness, neutral expression, clear eyes and a plain white or light-coloured background.
- Use the official Canada page again before final upload, printing or handoff.
Route first
Choose the right Canada passport photo workflow
Start with the Canadian passport application route, then use the tool and checklist for the matching output.
Step 01
Create the Canada preview
Use the maker above when you need a quick 50×70 mm free preview, then compare it with the exact Canada route before ordering the final JPG.
Step 02
Printed application package
Prepare two matching photos, check the finished print size, and make sure the required photographer and guarantor details are handled on the back of one photo.
Step 03
Online renewal photo
Use a digital JPEG captured for the renewal route. Check the 3:2 ratio, pixel range, file size and photographer details before uploading.
Step 04
Child or newborn photo
Use the same Canada measurements, then apply the child-specific posture, hand visibility, newborn and guarantor instructions.
Size and output
Canada passport photo size, print and digital specifications
Use this table to separate a printed passport photo for Canadian passport applications from online renewal digital photo requirements.
Online renewal digital photo
Size or fileJPG or JPEG, 3:2 portrait ratio, 1200×1800 px minimum, 3000×4500 px maximum, 200KB–5MB
Face referenceChin-to-crown height should be 45%–50% of the image height
Important noteUse an original digital file captured by the camera. Do not upload a scanned copy of a printed photo.
Photo-back and upload details
Size or filePhotographer or studio name, address and date
Face referenceGuarantor wording applies to one printed photo when required by the application
Important noteAdult renewal does not require a guarantor, but the photographer details still matter for the selected route.
The 50×70 mm maker preset is for a formatted photo. If your route asks for an online renewal digital file, check the digital rules before final upload.
Appearance and image quality
Passport picture rules Canada applicants should check
Correct dimensions do not fix a weak source image, hidden face edge, glare, shadow or altered appearance.
Searches for passport photo regulations Canada usually come down to a current, recognisable likeness. Use a plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between the face and the background.
The tool can create a Canada passport photo preview, but the source photo should still begin with a clean real-world capture: front-facing, evenly lit, sharp and recent.
Before using the Canada preset
- Use a recent photo taken no more than 6 months before submission.
- Keep eyes open, mouth closed and expression neutral.
- Keep face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera.
- Avoid white clothing when it blends into the background.
- Keep the final image clear, sharp, in focus and free from red-eye or glare.
Background, light and contrast
The background should be plain white or light-coloured and should contrast with the face and hair. Uneven light can create shadows around the ears, face, shoulders or background.
If the background is weak, start from a better capture rather than trying to hide every problem after the fact.
- Use soft, uniform lighting across the face and shoulders.
- Avoid hard flash, background shadows and glare.
- Choose clothing that separates from the background.
Expression, posture and face visibility
Face the camera directly. The head and shoulders should be centred and squared, not tilted in any direction.
A neutral expression means open eyes, a closed mouth and no smiling or frowning. Hair should stay off the face so the edges of the face remain visible.
- Do not tilt, rotate or lean the head.
- Keep both eyes visible and looking at the camera.
- Move hair away from the eyes and face edge.
Glasses, head coverings and medical needs
Canada accepts clear glasses only when the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted.
Head coverings worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons may be accepted when the full face is visible and the covering creates no shadows.
- Remove glasses when reflection is hard to control.
- Keep the full face visible under any permitted head covering.
- Include a written explanation when a medical reason affects the photo.
Editing and preview-output boundary
The Canada authority describes edited or altered photos as rejectable for official submission. That includes technical corrections, appearance edits, background changes and tight recropping around the head and shoulders.
Use the maker as a convenient prepared photo. Before submitting, match the final output to the actual Canadian passport route and keep a clean original available.
- Do not present a generated photo as official approval.
- Do not use a scan of a printed photo for online renewal.
- Retake from the clean source if the route or reviewer rejects the output.
When a Canadian application route gives stricter instructions, follow that route.
Preparation workflow
How to prepare a passport photo for Canadian passport use
Use this sequence to move from source capture to a Canada-specific preview and final route check.
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1. Confirm the Canada route
Decide whether you need printed photos for an application package or a digital photo for online renewal.
Open the current Government of Canada photo page before capture so the format, age, details and output rules are clear.
- Use the 50×70 mm preset for a printed-photo preview.
- Use the digital specification table when preparing an online renewal file.
- Keep the route open until the final handoff.
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2. Capture a clean source portrait
Use a recent front-facing source photo with the face and shoulders centred. The background should be plain white or light-coloured with enough contrast.
Take several frames so you can choose a sharp image with natural skin tone and no glare.
- Eyes open and visible.
- Mouth closed, no smile or frown.
- No shadows across the face, shoulders or background.
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3. Create and inspect the Canada preview
Upload the portrait to the maker and create the Canada passport photo preview. Inspect the preview before checkout.
For printed output, check the 50×70 mm frame and chin-to-crown face height. For online renewal, check the digital route requirements instead of relying only on physical measurements.
- Face remains centred and squared.
- Background looks plain and clean.
- No eye glare, hidden face edge or visible crop problem.
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4. Finish with the route checklist
Use the final checklist below before you submit, print or upload. A formatted photo still needs the correct photographer details, photo-back handling or digital file metadata for the selected route.
If a required item fails, return to the source capture or make a new preview instead of trying to repair a damaged final file.
- Confirm photo age and format.
- Confirm photo-back or upload details.
- Reopen the official Canada page before final submission.
The maker output is a preparation aid. It is not a Government of Canada approval result.
Pre-submission review
Common Canada passport photo failures
Most failures are easier to fix by returning to a clean source image instead of repeatedly editing the final file.
Problem: 01. Wrong printed size
Why it matters: The photo does not match the Canadian 50×70 mm frame.
Better correction: Create or print a new Canada-format preview and remeasure the finished output.
Problem: 02. Face height outside 31–36 mm
Why it matters: The biometric crop is too tight or too distant for printed Canada passport photo rules.
Better correction: Reframe from a wider source and check chin-to-crown height again.
Problem: 03. Digital renewal uses a scanned print
Why it matters: Canada's online renewal route requires a digital passport photo, not a scan of a printed photo.
Better correction: Use an original digital capture and check the route-specific file rules.
Problem: 04. White clothing blends into the background
Why it matters: The face and shoulders may not separate clearly from the plain background.
Better correction: Use clothing with enough contrast and retake the source portrait.
Problem: 05. Glare, tinted glasses or hidden eyes
Why it matters: The eyes are not clearly visible for identity review.
Better correction: Adjust light or remove glasses before capturing the next frame.
Problem: 06. Smile, frown, open mouth or tilted head
Why it matters: The photo no longer shows the required neutral, front-facing identity pose.
Better correction: Retake with eyes open, mouth closed and head squared to the camera.
Problem: 07. Missing photographer or guarantor details
Why it matters: A printed application may be incomplete even when the photo itself looks correct.
Better correction: Add the required studio details and guarantor wording only where the selected application asks for them.
Do not rely on a visual preview alone. Route paperwork and upload details can still decide whether the photo can be used.
Children and exceptions
Canada passport photo rules for children and medical needs
Use Canada-specific child and medical instructions before applying adult assumptions to every applicant.
Child passport photos
- Use two identical and unaltered photos.
- Keep the child's face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera.
- Do not show your hands or the child's hands in the photo.
- Use the same 50×70 mm frame and 31–36 mm chin-to-crown range.
Newborn photos
- Canada allows a range of newborn facial expressions.
- A newborn can sit in a car seat if a white blanket covers the seat behind the head.
- There must be no shadows around the ears, background, face or shoulders.
Medical headwear or nasal cannula
- Eyes must remain clearly visible.
- Include a signed explanation when a medical reason affects the photo.
- Canada may ask for a doctor's letter.
Wheelchair photos
- Use a plain white covering over the headrest when needed.
- Keep facial features and face edges clear against the background.
- Avoid shadows from the chair, covering or lighting setup.
For broader infant preparation tips, use the infant passport photo guide, then return to the Canada source for final rules.
Final control
Canadian passport photo requirements checklist
Complete the checks that match your selected Canadian passport route before final use.
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Route and source
Printed photo checks
Digital renewal checks
Appearance and quality
Official sources
Official Canada passport photo requirement sources
This page uses Canadian authority sources for Canadian passport photo requirements and separates those rules from the prepared photo created by the maker.
FAQ
Canadian passport photo requirements FAQ
Direct answers for applicants preparing a Canada passport photo preview, print or digital renewal file.
Create and verify
Create your Canada passport photo preview
Use the Canada preset above, then complete the checklist against the official Canadian route before final printing, uploading or handoff.
PassportSizePhoto.ai is an independent information and photo-preparation service. It is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC or any passport authority. Only the receiving authority can decide whether a photo is accepted.