🇨🇦 Canada visa photo requirements 2026
Last verified against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on 2026-05-27. Source: www.canada.ca.
We approximate the published rules. The consulate makes the final call. Details
Check your photo
Upload a photo and we will verify it against the Canada rules below. First check is free.
Check my photo →At a glance
- Size
- 50 × 70 mm
- Head height
- 31–36 mm (chin to crown)
- Background
- Plain white or light-colored
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Maximum age of photo
- 6 months
Top reasons Canada photos get rejected
- 1
Missing photographer stamp on back (paper applications)
Fix: Have a photo studio stamp the back with name, address, and date
- 2
Wrong dimensions — applicants use 35x45 mm instead of 50x70 mm
Fix: Canada is the odd one out — 50x70 mm. Do not reuse a UK or Schengen photo.
- 3
Wearing glasses
Fix: Remove glasses
- 4
Background not uniform or has shadows
Fix: Use plain light wall with diffused front lighting
- 5
Head too small (less than 31 mm chin-to-crown)
Fix: Move closer or crop tighter
- 6
Smile or expression not neutral
Fix: Neutral, mouth closed
What is specific to Canada
- Canada is the only major destination using 50x70 mm — neither the U.S. 51x51 mm nor the Schengen/UK 35x45 mm. A photo cropped for any other country WILL be rejected.
- Paper applications require a back-of-photo stamp by the photographer (studio name, address, date taken). Digital submissions do not.
- IRCC accepts photos taken at home if specs are met — no requirement to use a professional studio.
- PR (Permanent Residence) applicants and citizenship applicants use the same photo specs.