Source: Official Government of Canada (IRCC) visa photo requirements
Create a perfect canada visa photo online in seconds. Our free tool automatically crops your picture to the official canada visa photo size of 35×45 mm, applies a clean light background, and ensures full compliance with IRCC canada visa photo requirements. Upload, auto-detect your face, and instantly download a print-ready image — no software or signup needed.
A Canada visa photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall on a plain white or light-coloured background, with the head measuring 31–36 mm from chin to crown, taken within the last 6 months, with no glasses. Digital uploads must be at least 420 × 540 pixels and 60 KB; printed submissions require two identical copies.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38″ × 1.77″) |
| Aspect ratio | 7 : 9 portrait |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 31 – 36 mm |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured, uniform, no shadow |
| Digital pixel minimum | 420 × 540 px |
| Digital file size minimum | 60 KB, colour JPEG |
| Printed copies required | Two identical photos from the same session |
| Glasses | Not allowed since 2016 |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Issuing authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
Launch the Passport Photo Maker and select the Canada visa format. We handle face detection, cropping, background, and the exact canadian visa photo dimensions for you.
Create Canada Visa PhotoImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) enforces strict photo standards for all temporary and permanent resident applications. Use the table below to confirm your photo for canada visa application meets every rule before you submit. Each rule links to the detailed standard in our passport photo rules library.
| Photo dimensions | 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38" × 1.77") |
|---|---|
| Width | 35 mm (1.38 inches) |
| Height | 45 mm (1.77 inches) |
| Background colour | Plain white or light-coloured, uniform, no shadows — see background colour rules |
| Lighting | Even and diffuse, no shadow on the face or the wall — see shadow rules |
| Head size (chin to crown) | 31 mm to 36 mm (1.22" – 1.42") — measured to the top of the head, not the hairline. See head size rules |
| Face and frame | Full front view of head and top of shoulders, centred, face square to the camera — see face size requirements |
| Eyes | Open, clearly visible and looking straight at the camera — see eyes requirements |
| Hair | Must not cover the eyes or obscure the outline of the face — see hair rules |
| Ears | Not mandatory for IRCC, but the full face outline must be unobstructed — see ears visibility rules |
| Facial expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible |
| Glasses | Not allowed (since 2016 IRCC update) — see glasses rules |
| Headwear | Only for religious reasons; full face must be visible — see head covering rules |
| Digital pixel minimum | 420 × 540 pixels |
| Digital file size | Minimum 60 KB. The upload form shows the maximum it accepts |
| Print resolution | 300 DPI or higher, sharp and in focus |
| Printed copies | Two identical photos from the same session for paper or VAC submission |
| Back of printed photo | Studio name, address and the date the photo was taken. If self-taken, write the date |
| Border and edits | No border, no date printed on the image, no digital alteration of your face |
| File format | JPEG / JPG for digital uploads |
| Recent photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Colour | Colour required — black & white not accepted |
Chin to crown, not chin to hairline. IRCC measures head height to the crown — the top of the head, excluding hair volume. Several European standards measure to the natural hairline instead, so a photo cropped to a German or Schengen specification can measure correctly there and still fail the Canadian check. If you are reusing a European photo, re-crop it.
Always verify requirements directly with IRCC before submitting your application, as standards may be updated. Note that Canadian passport photos follow a different specification.
The official canada visa photo size is 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall, a 7:9 portrait frame. The head, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown, must occupy between 31 mm and 36 mm of the frame height — roughly 69% to 80% of the 45 mm total.
35×45 mm — IRCC Official Size
The physical size is always 35×45 mm, but the pixel dimensions depend on the resolution. IRCC sets a hard digital floor of 420 × 540 pixels. We export at 600 DPI so a single file serves both digital upload and professional printing.
| Resolution | Width (px) | Height (px) | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 DPI | 99 px | 128 px | Screen preview only — below the IRCC minimum |
| IRCC minimum | 420 px | 540 px | Absolute floor for digital upload |
| 300 DPI | 413 px | 531 px | Standard lab print |
| 600 DPI ✓ | 827 px | 1063 px | Recommended — clears every requirement |
Watch the 300 DPI trap. A 35 × 45 mm photo at exactly 300 DPI is 413 × 531 pixels, which sits below the IRCC digital floor of 420 × 540. It prints perfectly but can be refused on upload. Export at 600 DPI (827 × 1063) and the same file satisfies both channels.
Most Canada visa, study permit and work permit applications are filed online, and the upload check is separate from the physical measurement check. A file can be dimensionally perfect and still be refused for pixel count, file size or format.
| Requirement | Digital upload (IRCC portal) | Printed submission (paper / VAC) |
|---|---|---|
| Size defined in | Pixels | Millimetres |
| Required size | Minimum 420 × 540 px | Exactly 35 × 45 mm |
| File size | Minimum 60 KB; the form shows the maximum | Not applicable |
| Format | Colour JPEG | Photo-quality paper, glossy or matte |
| Quantity | One file | Two identical prints from the same session |
| Annotation | None | Studio name, address and date on the back of one photo |
| Source | Original camera file — not a scan or photo of a print | Printed from an original digital file |
If your export is too heavy for the upload form, the reduce file size guide and compress guide cover it without dropping below the pixel floor. iPhone users shooting HEIC should convert first with the HEIC to JPEG guide. Broader portal rules are in the digital passport photo requirements guide.
The same 35×45 mm photo specification applies across all IRCC applications, but each visa type has context-specific things to know before you apply.
Temporary Resident Visa applications require a digital photo uploaded as a JPEG through the IRCC portal. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and meet the 35×45 mm size with a light background. Most visitor visa rejections come down to head size outside 31–36 mm or shadow behind the head.
Study permit photos follow the same 35×45 mm IRCC standard. Digital photos are submitted online; applying via a Visa Application Centre (VAC) requires two printed copies. Ensure the photo is recent — student applications are often delayed by outdated photos.
Work permit applications, including LMIA-based and PGWP submissions, require a 35×45 mm photo. Applying from outside Canada through a VAC means bringing two printed photos. Applying online means uploading a high-resolution JPEG. Neutral expression and no glasses are mandatory.
Super Visa applications, for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, use the same 35×45 mm specification. The photo is uploaded digitally or submitted in print depending on the stream. Head size and background rules are strictly enforced.
Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and other permanent residence applications require the standard 35×45 mm photo. Unlike Canadian passport photos, PR visa photos can be taken at home and submitted digitally, provided they clear the 420 × 540 pixel floor.
Permanent Resident Card renewals also use the 35×45 mm format, and two printed copies are typically required — one attached to the form and one held separately. See our dedicated Canada PR Card Photo page for card-specific details and print layout options.
Our online tool makes it effortless to create canada visa photo online from any device. No editing skills required.
Take a fresh photo or upload an existing one from your phone or computer. Use good lighting and a plain wall behind you for the best results.
Our AI automatically locates your face, eyes, and head position to align the image precisely to the IRCC chin-to-crown head-size rule.
The image is cropped to the exact canada visa picture size of 35×45 mm with the correct head proportion and light background at 600 DPI. The crop guide explains how the 7:9 ratio and head-height band combine.
Download your print-ready digital photo instantly. Use it for online IRCC applications or print a 4×6" sheet at any photo lab.
Any modern smartphone can produce a compliant canadian visa photo — if you follow these eight steps. No professional camera needed.
Use your phone's rear camera (not the front selfie lens) for higher resolution. On iPhone, shoot in Photo mode (not Portrait — Portrait adds background blur). On Android, disable AI scene enhancement and shoot in standard mode.
Stand or sit 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) from the camera. Too close distorts facial proportions; too far reduces resolution. Ask someone else to take the photo so you face forward naturally.
Position yourself facing a window during daylight hours. Natural frontal light eliminates shadows on the face and background. Avoid overhead lighting (creates chin shadows) and backlighting (silhouettes your face). See the shadow rules.
Stand at least 1 metre away from the wall to prevent shadows falling behind you. A plain white or off-white wall gives our tool the cleanest background to process. Avoid patterned wallpaper or coloured walls.
Keep the camera at eye level — not below (upward angle distorts the chin) and not above (makes the head appear smaller). Use a phone stand or lean the phone against a stack of books for a stable, level shot.
Choose a mid-tone or darker top such as navy or grey so your shoulders separate cleanly from the light background. Avoid white and cream shirts, which blend into the backdrop and confuse edge detection.
Tie back hair so your full face and jawline are clear — hair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows. Remove glasses, hats (unless religious) and large earrings. See the hair rules and head covering rules.
No filters, beauty mode, or HDR. Turn off Portrait / Bokeh mode. Shoot at full resolution and do not reduce quality in camera settings. Take 4–5 shots and pick the sharpest with the most even lighting before uploading.
IRCC applies the same 35 × 45 mm size, background and 31–36 mm head height to children of every age, including newborns. There is no smaller format and no relaxed head-height band. The practical difficulty is meeting an adult framing standard with a subject who cannot sit up or hold still.
35 × 45 mm frame with the head 31–36 mm from chin to crown. No age exemption applies to size, framing or background.
No supporting hands, arms, car seat, toy or dummy may be visible, and no other person may appear. Support the child from behind a plain sheet.
A baby who cannot sit upright may be photographed lying on a plain white sheet, shot from directly above, provided the background stays uniform.
Both eyes should be open and looking towards the camera. This is relaxed for newborns, but a closed-eye photo of an older child will be refused. See the eyes requirements.
A natural, relaxed expression is acceptable. Avoid a wide open mouth or a dummy-shaped mouth position, which distort the facial geometry that gets measured.
Use soft, indirect daylight from the side of the room rather than directly overhead. Overhead light from one angle creates the background shadow that fails the check.
Positioning, lighting and timing technique for infants and toddlers is covered step by step in our baby passport photo at home guide.
Photographing a child? Upload the shot and let the tool apply the 35 × 45 mm crop and head-height check for you.
If you are applying on paper or through a Visa Application Centre, printing is part of the specification rather than an afterthought. IRCC asks for two identical prints from the same session, and the back of one must be annotated.
| Copies required | Two identical photos, same session — never send a single print |
|---|---|
| Print resolution | 300 DPI minimum; 600 DPI recommended. Disable fit-to-page scaling |
| Paper | Glossy or matte photo paper. Plain copier paper is refused |
| Copies per 4 × 6 inch sheet | Six 35 × 45 mm photos — one sheet covers the two required with spares |
| Back annotation | Studio name, address and the date the photo was taken. If self-taken, write the date |
| Front of photo | No border, no printed date, no writing, no stamp across the image |
| Cutting | Guillotine or steel rule for square edges. Do not cut inside the printed border |
| Colour management | sRGB. Turn off printer auto-enhance, skin smoothing and colour correction |
| Handling | Let ink dry fully. Do not fold, staple or paper-clip the photo |
| Not accepted | Scans or photographs of an existing print, photocopies, or photos cut from a larger picture |
Printer settings, paper choice and cutting technique are covered in full in the print passport photo at home guide, and multi-copy sheet layout in the print sheet guide.
Our tool exports a 4 × 6 inch sheet automatically. Generate your print sheet and cut along the guide lines.
Each cause below is distinct, and each links to the detailed rule so you can confirm the exact tolerance before you submit. The full cross-country breakdown is in passport photo rejection reasons.
Submitting a square or 4:3 photo instead of the 35×45 mm portrait frame (roughly 7:9) is a structural error that cannot be corrected at the visa office. See the crop guide.
Head height too small or too large is the most common measurement failure, and it applies even when the overall frame size is exactly right. See head size rules.
Photos cropped to a European hairline-based standard measure short against IRCC's chin-to-crown rule. Re-crop rather than reuse a Schengen photo.
Files under 420 × 540 pixels are refused on upload. A 413 × 531 export at exactly 300 DPI falls just short — use 600 DPI instead.
Over-compressing to save space pushes the file below the IRCC minimum and introduces blocking around the eyes. See resolution rules.
Backgrounds with patterns, gradients, or colours other than white or light grey fail validation. See background colour rules.
Shadows on the face or wall, harsh side-lighting, red-eye, and blown-out highlights from direct flash all obscure facial features. See shadow rules.
Since 2016, glasses are not allowed in any Canada visa photo — even clear lenses with no glare. See glasses rules.
Expressions must be neutral with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, or squinting cause rejection at verification. See smile rules.
Hair must not cover the forehead, eyebrows, or fall across the face. IRCC needs an unobstructed view from crown to chin. See hair rules.
Filters, skin-smoothing, teeth-whitening, slimming or any digital alteration of your face constitutes manipulation and is grounds for rejection.
Paper and VAC submissions need two identical photos from the same session. Sending one, or two from different sessions, delays the application.
Printed photos without the studio name, address and date — or at minimum the date taken — on the back are returned for correction.
IRCC requires an original digital file. A scan of a printed photo, a photocopy, or a photo cut from a larger picture is not accepted.
Photos older than 6 months, or that no longer represent your current appearance, are refused regardless of technical quality.
Many applicants confuse the two. They are handled by different authorities, use different sizes, and differ in who may take the photo and how it is submitted.
| Feature | Canada Visa Photo | Canada Passport Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | IRCC — immigration and visa | Passport Program — travel document |
| Size | 35 × 45 mm | 50 × 70 mm |
| Head height | 31–36 mm chin to crown | 31–36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | White or light-coloured | Plain white only |
| Taken at home | ✓ Allowed | ✗ Must be a commercial photographer |
| Back of print | Studio name, address and date — or date if self-taken | ✓ Studio name, address and date required |
| Digital submission | ✓ Yes — IRCC portal, min 420 × 540 px | ✗ Print only |
| Copies required | One digital, or two prints for paper / VAC | Two identical prints |
| Glasses allowed | ✗ No (since 2016) | ✗ No |
| Valid for | 6 months from date taken | 6 months from date taken |
| Applies to | Visitor visa, study, work, Super Visa, PR | Canadian passport renewal or new application |
Need a passport photo instead? See our dedicated Canada Passport Photo maker for the correct 50×70 mm format, or the Canada PR Card Photo page for card renewals.
The official canada visa photo size is 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall (1.38" × 1.77"). The head must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the crown, meaning the top of the head excluding hair volume. At 300 DPI the frame equals 413 × 531 pixels.
To the crown. IRCC measures from the bottom of the chin to the crown — the top of the head rather than the hairline, and excluding hair volume. This differs from several European standards that measure to the natural hairline, so a photo cropped to a German or Schengen specification can fail the Canadian check even though it measured correctly there.
IRCC sets a digital minimum of 420 × 540 pixels. At 300 DPI the 35×45 mm frame is 413 × 531 pixels, which is fractionally below that floor — so export at 600 DPI (827 × 1063 pixels) and the same file works for both upload and printing. Our tool outputs at 600 DPI by default.
At least 420 pixels wide by 540 pixels high, minimum file size 60 KB, saved as a colour JPEG. The upload form displays the maximum file size it accepts. The photo must be an original camera file — not a scan or a photograph of an existing print.
Yes. Most online Canada visa applications (visitor visa, study permit, work permit) require a digital JPEG uploaded through the IRCC portal. Printed copies are only required when applying on paper or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Our face detection locates your eyes, chin and crown, then crops the image so your head occupies the IRCC-required 31–36 mm range inside a 35×45 mm frame. You don't need to measure anything manually.
IRCC requires a plain white or light-coloured background that is uniform and free of shadows, gradients, patterns, or other people. Shadow falling on the wall behind the head is one of the most common causes of refusal. Our tool automatically replaces busy backgrounds.
No. Since 2016, glasses are not allowed in any photo submitted to IRCC for visas, study permits, work permits, PR, or citizenship applications — regardless of lens type or glare. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never accepted.
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months of your application date and must reflect your current appearance. A photo that no longer resembles you is refused even inside the six-month window.
The same 35×45 mm size, white background and 31–36 mm head height apply to children of every age, including newborns. The child must be alone in the frame with no supporting hands, car seat, toy or dummy visible. A baby who cannot sit up may be photographed lying on a plain white sheet. Eyes should be open where achievable, relaxed for newborns. See the child and infant rules section.
Online applications require one digital photo. Paper applications and VAC submissions require two identical printed photos taken from the same session — one attached to the form and one kept separately. Never send a single print.
The back of one photo must carry the name and address of the photo studio together with the date the photo was taken. If you took the photo yourself, write the date. Do not write on the front, and do not use a photo with a border or a date printed on the image.
Print at 300 DPI or higher on glossy or matte photo paper. A 4×6" sheet holds six 35×45 mm copies, so one sheet covers the two IRCC requires with spares. Cut with a guillotine for square edges, leave no border, and do not fold or staple. See the print at home guide.
Yes. Any modern smartphone camera can produce a compliant photo. Use the rear camera, switch off Portrait mode and filters, stand a metre clear of a plain wall facing a window, then upload it to our Canada visa photo maker to crop and resize it correctly.
Visa photos are 35×45 mm, can be taken at home, and are usually submitted digitally through the IRCC portal. Canadian passport photos are 50×70 mm, must be taken by a commercial photographer, and require the studio name, address and date on the back of the print. Both require no glasses and a plain background.
Yes. The Passport Photo Maker is completely free — no signup, no watermark, no hidden fees. You can create unlimited Canada visa photos at no cost.
Need a photo for a different country? Our passport photo maker covers all major visa and document formats.
Stop worrying about millimetres, pixel floors and backgrounds. Let our tool handle every IRCC rule so your application is accepted the first time.
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