IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) rejects passport photos that do not meet their official specifications. A rejected photo delays your application — sometimes by weeks. Here are the seven most common reasons and how to avoid each one using Kindro's free tool.
1. Wrong Dimensions — Must Be 50 × 70 mm, Not 2 × 2 Inches
The most common mistake for Canadians living near the US border or using American photo services. Canadian passport photos are 50 × 70 mm (about 2 × 2.75 inches) — taller and narrower than the US standard of 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). A US-sized photo will be rejected immediately.
How to fix it: Use Kindro's Canadian passport photo tool, which automatically formats your photo to 50 × 70 mm at 300 DPI (591 × 827 pixels). Do not use US passport photo services or apps that produce 2 × 2 inch photos.
2. Background Issues — Shadows, Colour, or Patterns
IRCC requires a plain white or light grey background with no patterns, textures, or shadows. Common problems include visible shadows behind the head, off-white or yellowish walls, and patterned wallpaper or curtains in the background.
How to fix it: Kindro's AI removes your entire background and replaces it with pure white — no need to find a perfect wall. Stand a few feet from any wall to avoid casting a shadow, even though Kindro will remove the background.
3. Wearing Glasses — Banned Since November 2019
Since November 2019, IRCC does not allow glasses in passport photos. This catches many people who were used to the old rules. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are all prohibited. The only exception requires a medical certificate.
How to fix it: Remove your glasses before taking the photo. There are no workarounds. If you have a medical condition preventing removal, obtain a signed medical certificate and submit it with your application — but your photo may still face additional scrutiny.
4. Face Height Out of Range — Must Be 31 to 36 mm
IRCC strictly enforces face height measurements: the distance from your chin to the natural top of your head (crown, not hair) must be between 31 mm and 36 mm in the printed photo. If your face is too large or too small in the frame, the photo will be rejected.
How to fix it: Kindro automatically detects your face and scales it to fall within the 31–36 mm range. The compliance report confirms the exact face height before you print. No manual measurement needed.
5. Missing or Incorrect Guarantor Signature
Canadian passport applications require a guarantor to sign the back of one of your two photos. A missing signature, incorrect wording, or an ineligible guarantor will cause your application to be returned.
How to fix it: After printing, have your guarantor (someone who has known you 2+ years and holds a valid Canadian passport) write on the back of one photo: "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your full name]" — followed by their printed name and signature.
6. Expression, Shadows, or Head Position
Your face must be directly facing the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and both eyes open. Common rejections include smiling (even slightly), tilted or turned head, shadows on the face from overhead or side lighting, and red-eye.
How to fix it: Stand facing a window for even, natural lighting. Look directly at the camera at eye level. Keep your expression neutral — no smile, no frown. Kindro's compliance checks flag head tilt and expression issues before you print.
7. Low Resolution or Poor Print Quality
Photos must be at least 300 DPI and printed on photo-quality glossy paper. Common problems include blurry photos from phone cameras in low light, visible inkjet dots from home printers, and photos printed on regular paper or matte stock.
How to fix it: Take your photo in good lighting (natural daylight is best). Kindro outputs at 300 DPI. Print on glossy photo paper at Shoppers Drug Mart, Staples, or any photo lab for about $0.30. Avoid printing at home unless you have a high-quality photo printer.
Avoid Rejection Entirely
Most rejections happen because of preventable issues — wrong dimensions, shadows, or the glasses ban. Kindro's AI handles background removal, face centring, dimension formatting, and compliance checking automatically. The compliance report flags potential issues before you print, so you can fix them for free instead of paying $16.99 for a retake at Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Automatic 50 × 70 mm formatting (not 2 × 2 inches)
- AI background removal to pure white
- Face height scaled to 31–36 mm range
- 300 DPI output for sharp, high-quality prints
- Compliance report before you print