Canada Photo Requirements
IRCC photo rules at a glance: passport prints are 50×70 mm; temporary resident visas use 35×45 mm. Choose a document below for full specifications.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport print size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in) |
| Visa / TRV size | 35 × 45 mm minimum |
| Head height | 31–36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
| Free online crop | Use our browser tool before printing |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Official pages list rules; these notes highlight mistakes we see when people crop at home before online upload or print.
- Canada passport prints are often 50x70 mm; TRV visa photos are typically 35x45 mm—pick the right path.
- Head height rules are strict; a crop that looks fine on a phone can still fail IRCC checks.
- Use a plain white or light background with no shadows behind the head.
- Passport and visa sizes are different—do not reuse one crop for both without checking.
Crop your photo free online
Browser-based passport photo tool — process locally on your device, no watermark on downloads.
Works in your browser. No app download required.
Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
What size is a Canadian passport photo?
IRCC passport prints are 50×70 mm (about 2×2¾ inches) with head height 31–36 mm from chin to crown. A US 2×2 inch square is the wrong size.
What size is a Canada TRV / temporary resident visa photo?
TRV photos are typically at least 35×45 mm with the same head-height range. Do not reuse a passport 50×70 print without cropping to the visa rules.
Can I take Canadian passport photos at home?
IRCC guidance emphasises professional-quality prints. Home setups can work only if size, background, lighting, and print quality match the rules—many people crop online then print at a lab.
Can you smile in a Canadian passport photo?
No. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight ahead.
What background colour does IRCC want?
Plain white or light-coloured with no shadows behind the head or shoulders.
How many photos do I need?
Usually two identical unaltered prints taken within the last six months, unless your form says otherwise.
Are glasses allowed?
Non-tinted prescription glasses may be allowed if eyes are clearly visible. Avoid glare, tinted lenses, and frames that hide the eyes.
Why was my Canada photo refused?
Common reasons include wrong size, wrong head height, shadows, soft focus, altered images, or smiling. Fix only the cited issue and reprint identical copies.