Visa Photo Specifications for Canadian Immigration

Submitting Your Photos

For online applications, ask your photographer to review the specifications below before taking your picture. Your photographer can email photographs directly to info@yci.co with your name and date of birth in the subject line.

Photo requirements vary by application type. Follow the specifications for your specific category to avoid processing delays.

Temporary Residence Applications

Temporary residence includes study permits, work permits, visitor visas, and extensions.

General Requirements

  • Photographs must be identical and taken within the last six months

  • May be black and white or colour

  • Must be clear, well-defined, and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background

  • If digital, must not be altered in any way

  • Face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression—no frowning or smiling, mouth closed

Technical Specifications

Head positioning:

  • Full front view with face centered in the photograph

  • Include top of shoulders

  • Head size from chin to crown: 31 mm to 36 mm (1 1/4″ to 1 7/16″)

  • Crown refers to the top of the head or where it would be if visible under hair or head covering

Frame size (paper applications only):

  • 35 mm × 45 mm (1 3/8″ × 1 3/4″)

  • Not applicable for online applications

Eyewear and Accessories

  • Non-tinted prescription glasses allowed if eyes are clearly visible

  • Frames must not cover any part of your eyes

  • Sunglasses are not acceptable

  • Hairpieces or cosmetic accessories acceptable if they do not disguise normal appearance

  • Religious head coverings permitted if full facial features remain visible

Important: Photographs that do not meet specifications will delay processing until compliant photos are submitted.

Download specifications for your photographer: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/photospecs-e.pdf

Permanent Residence Applications

Permanent residence includes all PR applications and PR card renewals.

General Requirements

  • Must be identical and unaltered (no edits or corrections)

  • Colour or black and white

  • Original photographs, not taken from existing photos

  • Must be taken by a commercial photographer

  • Reflect current appearance (within last six months)

  • Professionally printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper

  • Photos printed at home or on heavyweight paper are not acceptable

Technical Specifications

Size and dimensions:

  • 50 mm wide × 70 mm high (2″ × 2 3/4″)

  • Face height: 31 mm to 36 mm (1 1/4″ to 1 7/16″) from chin to crown

Quality standards:

  • Clear, sharp, and in focus

  • Neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling)

  • Uniform lighting with no shadows, glare, or flash reflections

  • Face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera

  • Plain white background with clear difference between face and background

  • Must reflect natural skin tones

  • Red-eye photos or red-eye alterations not acceptable

Eyewear and Head Coverings

  • Glasses allowed if eyes are clearly visible and no glare appears

  • Sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses not acceptable

  • Hats and head coverings not permitted unless worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons

  • Religious or medical head coverings must not cast shadows on face

  • Full face must be clearly visible

  • Hair may be down

Shadows and Lighting

Shadows are not acceptable. Lighting must be uniform to avoid:

  • Shadows across face or shoulders

  • Shadows around ears

  • Shadows in the background

Back of Photo Requirements

The back of ONE photo must include:

  • Subject's name and date of birth

  • Photography studio name and complete address

  • Date photograph was taken

The photographer may stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are not accepted.

Download specifications for your photographer: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/information/applications/guides/pdf/5445eb-e.pdf

Canadian Citizenship Applications

Follow permanent residence photo guidelines above with one exception: do not write any information on the back of photos.

Digital Photo Requirements

Digital citizenship photos must meet these additional standards:

  • JPG or JPEG file format with minimal compression

  • Saved directly from camera without changes to original file

  • Minimum dimensions: 420 × 540 pixels

  • File size: approximately 240 kB, maximum 4 MB

Special Circumstances

Children and Infants

Children's photos must follow all specifications above with these considerations:

  • Show child's head and shoulders only

  • No parent's or child's hands visible in photo

  • Minor variations in neutral expression allowed for newborns

  • For newborn babies in car seats: place white blanket over seat behind child's head with no shadows on face, shoulders, ears, or background

Medical Considerations

Wheelchairs: Place a plain white blanket over the wheelchair behind your head so facial features and face edges remain clearly visible.

Headwear or nasal cannula: When required for medical reasons, headwear or nasal cannula may be worn as long as eyes remain clearly visible. Include a signed explanation with your application. IRCC may request a letter from your doctor.

Key Reminders

  1. Check your application type before taking photos—requirements differ between temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship applications

  2. Use a commercial photographer for permanent residence and citizenship applications

  3. Review photos carefully before submission—non-compliant photos delay processing

  4. Recent photos only—all photos must be taken within the last six months

  5. No alterations—digital photos must not be edited, enhanced, or modified in any way

  6. Lighting matters—uniform lighting without shadows is critical for acceptance