Canada passport photo requirements

Canadian passport photos are a taller 50 × 70 mm format than most other countries' — that alone catches people who reuse a photo they had made for a different country's application, since the proportions don't match even if the print size looks similar.

Background

A plain white or very light, evenly lit background is required, with no shadows behind you or on your face. As with most photo booths, a professional backdrop or a plain, well-lit wall photographed straight-on both work — the key failure point is uneven lighting rather than the exact shade of the background.

Head position

Face the camera directly with a neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed. Head height — measured from the chin to the crown of the head — needs to fall between 31 and 36 mm inside the 50 × 70 mm frame, which is a narrower tolerance than some other countries use, so small framing errors are more likely to push the photo out of range.

The signature and guarantor step

Unlike most countries, Canada requires the back of one printed photo to be signed by a guarantor — someone who has known you for at least two years and holds an eligible profession — confirming it's a true likeness of you. This is a physical, printed-photo requirement and applies on top of getting the size and framing right, so it's worth checking current guidance on who qualifies as a guarantor before your appointment.

What isn't allowed

• Glasses with tinted lenses or glare; plain prescription glasses are generally permitted if the eyes are clearly visible.
• Hats or head coverings except for religious or medical reasons, with the full face still visible.
• Digital alteration of the photo, including background removal software that leaves visible artifacts.
• Uniforms or camouflage clothing.

Taking the source photo

1. Photograph against a plain white or light wall, with even light and no direct flash glare.
2. Keep the camera level with your face, not angled from above or below.
3. Take a few shots so you can pick the one with the clearest, most neutral expression.
4. Print at true size before asking your guarantor to sign — a signature added to a digital file won't satisfy the requirement.

Common rejection reasons, in order of frequency

• Head height outside the 31–36 mm range
• Shadow on the background or face
• Missing or invalid guarantor signature on the printed photo
• Photo older than 6 months
• Non-neutral expression or closed eyes

Frequently asked questions

Requirements are set by the relevant passport authority and can change — this page is a practical summary rather than an official source. Confirm current detail, including guarantor eligibility, before you submit.