Photos for immigration applications: sizes, files and how to get them right
Why the photo matters
IRCC can return or delay an application when the photo doesn't meet its rules. Each application type has its own rules, and they are not all the same. Always check the official page for your application before you get photos taken. This page is a plain-language summary, not a guarantee.
The rules at a glance
| Application | Paper photo | Digital photo (online) | How recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa, study or work permit | At least 35 × 45 mm, head 31–36 mm, 2 identical photos | Not listed on the IRCC photo page: follow the upload instructions in your account | 6 months |
| Permanent residence / PR card | 50 × 70 mm, head 31–36 mm, 2 identical photos | JPG/JPEG, 715 × 1000 to 2000 × 2800 pixels, 4 MB or less, from a commercial photographer | 12 months |
| Citizenship (adults) | 50 × 70 mm, head 31–36 mm, 2 identical colour photos | JPG/JPEG, at least 420 × 540 pixels, about 240 KB and no more than 4 MB | 6 months |
| Canadian passport | 50 × 70 mm, head 31–36 mm, 2 identical photos | Online renewal only: JPG/JPEG, 3:2 portrait, 1200 × 1800 to 3000 × 4500 pixels, 200 KB to 5 MB | 6 months |
Head size means from your chin to the top of your head (crown).
What every photo needs
- A plain white or light-coloured background (PR card: plain, untextured white).
- Your full face, looking straight at the camera, with the top of your shoulders showing.
- A neutral expression: eyes open, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning.
- Glasses only if your eyes are clearly visible with no glare. No sunglasses or tinted lenses.
- Religious or medical head coverings are allowed if your full face is visible.
Paper photos: what goes on the back
- PR card: on the back of 1 photo, your name and date of birth, the studio's name and full address, and the date the photo was taken. A stamp or handwriting is fine; stick-on labels are not accepted.
- Citizenship by mail: your first and last name, the photographer's or studio's name and full address, and the date the photo was taken.
- Passport: the studio's name, address and the date. A guarantor signs one photo, except for most adult renewals.
Digital photos: the common mistakes
- Don't edit the photo. Cropping, changing brightness or contrast, or changing the background can get it rejected. Ask the photo studio for the digital file.
- Check the pixel size and file size before you upload. If your file is too big, ask the studio for a smaller copy that still meets the minimum pixel size.
Make a photo file smaller
If your photo file is over the size limit (for example over 4 MB), you can make the file smaller with our free tool: Photo file size reducer. It only reduces the file size (KB/MB).
Warning: Don't change the photo's width or height, and don't crop or stretch it. If the original pixel size changes, IRCC may not accept the photo. After you reduce the file, check that the pixel size still meets the rules in the table above.
- PR card: IRCC doesn't accept a phone photo of a paper photo. Use a file from a commercial photographer.
- Keep the receipt from the photo studio. Some online applications ask for the studio's details.
Where to get photos taken
Many pharmacies, big-box stores and photo studios in Canada take "passport photos". Tell them which application the photos are for (for example "PR card" or "citizenship"), because the sizes differ from a standard passport photo in other countries.
Check the official pages
- Visitor visa, study and work permit photos (IRCC)
- PR card photos (IRCC)
- Citizenship photos, online application (IRCC)
- Citizenship photos, paper application (IRCC)
- Canadian passport photos
Rules change. If anything here is different from the official page, the official page is right.