Visa Photo Specifications

The photo specifications for a Canadian visa application can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, generally, the following specifications apply:

Temporary Residence #

Temporary residence applications include study permit, work permit, visitor visa and extensions.

Specifications #

• The photographs must be identical and taken within the last six months. They may be either black and white or colour.
• The photographs must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.
• If the photographs are digital, they must not be altered in any way.
• Your face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and with your mouth closed.
• You may wear non-tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• A hairpiece or other cosmetic accessory is acceptable if it does not disguise your normal appearance.
• If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are not obscured.
• The frame size must be at 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″). (for paper applications, Not Applicable for online applications as you are not printing photographs for online applications)
• The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders.
• The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
• Crown means the top of the head or (if obscured by hair or a head covering) where the top of the head or skull would be if it could be seen.
• If the photographs do not meet the specifications, you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed.

Permanent Residence #

Temporary residence applications include all permanent residence applications and PR card renewals study permit, work permit, visitor visa and extensions.

Specifications #

• You must provide identical and unaltered (without edits and corrections) photographs.
• Photos may be in colour or black and white.
• Photos must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing photograph.
• Taken by a commercial photographer.
• 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide x 2- 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm (1- 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1- 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head).
• Clear, sharp and in focus.
• Taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling).
• Taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections.
• Taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the photographs must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing full face centred in the middle of the photograph).
• Taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between your face and the background. Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
• Reflect your current appearance (taken within the last six months)
• Professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper (photos printed at home and photos printed on heavy weight paper are not acceptable)
• Glasses may be worn in photos as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare in the glasses.
• Sunglasses and tinted eye glasses are unacceptable.
• Photos with the red-eye effect or red eye alterations are unacceptable.
• Hats and head coverings must not be worn, unless they are worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons. However, your full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
• Your hair can be down.
• Shadows are not acceptable. Lighting must be uniform to avoid shadows across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.

Canadian Citizenship #

For Canadian citizenship applications please follow PR photo guidelines except that you don’t need to write anything in the back of the photo.

Common Exceptions #

Children’s photos #

• Child photos must follow the same rules indicated above.
• Photos must show the child’s head and shoulders only. Parent’s or child’s hands must not appear in the photo.
• We recognize the difficulty in obtaining a neutral expression of a newborn and will allow for some minor variations in this regard.
• For newborn babies, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child’s head. There must be no shadows on the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background

Medical Considerations #

Wheelchairs: if you are in a wheelchair, we recommend that a plain white blanket placed over the wheelchair behind the applicant’s head so that your facial features and the edges of your face are clearly visible.

Headwear or nasal cannula: When required for medical reasons, you can wear headwear or a nasal cannula in your permanent resident photo – as long as your eyes remain clearly visible. We recommend that you include a signed explanation with your application. We may request that you submit a letter from your doctor.