Canada uses a unique 50×70 mm passport photo — taller and narrower than the US 2×2 inch format. Head height must be 31–36 mm, and photos must be taken by a commercial photographer who stamps the back with their studio details. Visa photos use a different 35×45 mm size.
| Printed size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in) |
| Head height | 31–36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white or light-colored |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no smile |
| Paper | Professional photo paper only |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos per application |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Glasses | Allowed if eyes clearly visible |
Taller than the US 2×2 inch and the international 35×45mm format. Canada explicitly warns that US-size photos may not be accepted.
Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer who stamps the back with date, studio name, and complete address. Home prints are rejected.
Passport & PR Card use 50×70mm. Temporary Resident Visa, work, and study permits use 35×45mm. Getting the wrong size is the #1 rejection reason.
| Requirement | Canada Passport | Canada Visa (TRV) | US Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 50 × 70 mm | 35 × 45 mm (min) | 51 × 51 mm (2×2 in) |
| Head height | 31–36 mm | 31–36 mm | 25–35 mm |
| Background | White or light-colored | White or light-colored | White or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, no smile | Neutral, no smile | Neutral or natural smile |
| Paper | Professional only | Professional recommended | Photo-quality (glossy or matte) |
| Photographer | Required (stamp on back) | Not required | Not required |
| Recency | Within 6 months | Within 6 months | Within 6 months |
| Glasses | Allowed, no glare | Allowed, no glare | Not allowed |
| Color | Color or B&W | Color or B&W (some portals require color) | Color only |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos | 2 identical photos | 1 photo |
Note: Canada accepts both color and black-and-white photos for most documents. However, at least one official online work-permit portal specifically requires color digital images — always follow the exact portal instructions.
US citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Canada for up to 6 months for tourism and business. No eTA is required for US citizens — just a valid passport. An Enhanced Driver's License also works at land borders.
Canada has different digital specs depending on the application type. For all digital submissions, the photo must still be taken by a commercial photographer — selfies and phone photos of printed photos are not accepted.
Canada is unusually explicit about child and newborn photo handling, with concrete guidance for each age group.
Canadian citizens in the US renew their passports by mail only — applications must be sent to the Passport Program in Gatineau, Quebec. Canadian consulates in the US do not provide regular passport services and will direct you to mail your application to Canada.
Note: These are outside-Canada fees effective March 31, 2026 — higher than in-Canada rates. Fees are adjusted annually under the Service Fees Act.
Consulates provide consular assistance and emergency help but not routine passport processing. All passport applications must be mailed to Canada. See travel.gc.ca for your consular district.
The Canadian Permanent Resident Card uses the same 50×70mm photo format as the passport. PR cards are valid for 5 years (sometimes 1 year) and cost CAD $50 per renewal.
IRCC is strict about Canadian passport photos. These failure modes are directly flagged by Canada's own guidelines:
Using US 2×2 inch or international 35×45mm instead of Canada's 50×70mm.
Back of photo must include date taken, studio name, and complete address.
White clothing blending into white background. Shadows on face or background. Glare on glasses.
Canada does not accept home-printed photos, heavyweight paper, or any alterations including filters and AI tools.
Correct 50×70mm format for passports, 35×45mm for visas, precise 31–36mm head height, white background, and the right digital specs for online submissions.
Get Started — $6.99Digital download + print template included. Professional prints available via our print & mail service.