Quick answer: Canada passport photo requirements
Canada passport photo requirements in 2026 center on a 50 x 70 mm (2 x 2¾ inches) printed photo, two identical copies, and the commercial-photographer stamp rule. The photos must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background with a neutral expression and no glasses. The face must measure 31–36 mm from chin to crown, and the photo must be recent (within the last six months).
One rule makes Canada different from the U.S., the U.K., or any other major country: the photos must be taken by a commercial photographer, and the back of one photo must show the studio or photographer's name, full address, and the date the photo was taken. A fully do-it-yourself photo is generally not accepted for a Canadian passport application — there is no way to add the required back-printing yourself.
Canada passport photo size and specs
The core specification at a glance:
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 50 x 70 mm (2 x 2¾ in) |
| Quantity | Two identical photos |
| Face height | 31–36 mm, chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured, no shadows |
| Recency | Within the last six months |
| Back-of-photo stamp | Photographer name, address, and date (Canada-specific) |
The commercial-photographer rule, explained
For Canadian passport applications, IRCC requires that the back of one of the two photos (or an attached label) include the photographer or studio's complete information and the date taken. The photos must be originals — not edited and not printed at home from a digital file.
This is the main reason a home or app-only photo usually will not be accepted for a Canadian passport. There is no way to add the required back-printing yourself, and IRCC reviewers explicitly check for it. Plan to visit a photographer who is familiar with Canadian passport specifications. Many drugstore and department- store photo studios (Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Photo Centre, Costco) offer this service for around C$15–20.
Expression, glasses, and head coverings
Use a neutral expression with the mouth closed and both eyes open and clearly visible. Glasses are not allowed. Head coverings are accepted only when worn for religious or medical reasons, and the full face must remain visible.
The photo must show a clear, front-facing view with even lighting and no red-eye, shadows, or reflections.
No filters, no AI editing
Canada follows the broader 2026 trend on photo authenticity: the photo must show how you actually look. The commercial-photographer requirement is itself a defence against filtered or AI-generated photos, but the no-editing principle applies to the original capture too. A photographer who uses beauty-mode filters, skin smoothing, or background replacement to "fix" the photo will produce one that can be flagged later. The U.S. State Department now actively detects AI-edited photos at upload time as of January 2026, and IRCC reviewers are sensitive to filtered prints even without an explicit AI clause.
What a layout tool can and cannot do for Canada
A browser-based tool like PhotoTools is useful for understanding size and composition, checking head proportions, and preparing or printing passport photos for countries that accept self-supplied photos. It cannot provide the photographer's name, address, and date that Canada requires on the back of the print — that requires a commercial photographer.
For a Canadian passport specifically, use a commercial photographer who provides compliant prints with the required back-printing. For other countries that allow at-home photos (U.S., U.K., India OCI, Schengen visa), the tool still helps.
Official source to check
Confirm the current Canadian passport photo specifications on the Government of Canada website before booking a photographer.