Canadian Passport Photo Requirements (2026 IRCC Guide)

Photo Size and Dimensions

• Photo size: 50 mm wide × 70 mm tall (approximately 2 × 2.75 inches)
• Face height (chin to natural top of head): 31 mm to 36 mm
• Minimum resolution: 300 DPI (591 × 827 pixels)
• Two identical photos required per passport application

Background Requirements

The background must be plain white or light-coloured with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other objects visible. IRCC requires a uniform background. Kindro's AI automatically removes your background and replaces it with pure white — no need to find a perfect wall or visit a photo studio.

Facial Expression and Pose

• Face the camera directly — no tilting or turning
• Keep a neutral expression with mouth closed
• Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
• Head must be centred and not cropped at the top

Clothing and Accessories

• Remove glasses to avoid glare and reflections (recommended by IRCC)
• No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons
• No headphones or wireless earbuds
• Avoid white clothing that blends with the background
• No uniforms or camouflage (except religious attire)

Photo Quality

• Must be in colour (no black and white)
• Taken within the last 6 months (12 months for children under 16)
• No filters, effects, or digital alterations to facial features
• Properly exposed — no overexposure, underexposure, or red-eye
• Printed on photo-quality paper with no visible pixels or inkjet lines
• No creases, scratches, or ink marks on the photo

Guarantor Signature Requirement

Canadian passport applications require a guarantor — someone who has known you for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport. Your guarantor must:

• Sign the back of one of your two photos
• Write: "I certify this to be a true likeness of [your full name]"
• Include their own name and signature

Kindro provides the correctly sized photo — you handle the guarantor signature separately after printing.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Shadows on face or background
• Glare on glasses or red-eye
• Head too large or too small in the frame (face must be 31–36 mm)
• Non-white or uneven background
• Incorrect dimensions (not 50 × 70 mm)
• Low-resolution or blurry image
• Photo older than 6 months
• Missing or incorrect guarantor signature

Infant and Child Passport Photos

Children and infants must meet the same photo requirements as adults. Tips for photographing babies and young children:

• Lay the infant on a white blanket or sheet
• Take the photo from directly above
• Make sure the eyes are open and looking at the camera
• No pacifiers, toys, or other people visible
• For children under 16, photos can be up to 12 months old (instead of 6)

Where to Print Canadian Passport Photos

After creating your photo with Kindro, download the 4-up print layout and print it as a standard 4×6 inch glossy photo. Here are the most common options across Canada:

• Shoppers Drug Mart — Photo kiosks in most locations, ~$0.30 per 4×6 print
• Staples — Print centre accepts digital files, same-day prints
• London Drugs — Available in Western Canada, photo printing at the counter
• Walmart Canada — Photo centre with self-serve kiosks
• Costco Photo Centre — Low-cost prints, requires membership
• Any local photo lab — Ask for a 4×6 glossy print on photo paper

A standard 4×6 glossy print costs under $1 at most stores — compared to $15–$20 for their passport photo service. Cut along Kindro's guides to get your 50×70 mm photos.

Related Guides

• Free Canadian Passport Photo Tool →
• Canadian Passport Photo Cost →
• How to Print Your Photo →
• Passport Photo FAQ →
• Rejection Reasons & Fixes →