Canada · passport
Canadian passport photo — the real rules
The Canadian passport photo is one of the strictest in the world — not for its geometry, but for who takes it: 50×70 mm prints with the chin-to-crown at 31–36 mm, and the back of one photo must carry the commercial photographer's or studio's name, address and the date, plus your guarantor's signature.
- Size
- 50×70 mm
- Digital file
- 591×827 px JPEG
- Background
- white
- Head height
- 44.3–51.4%
- Price
- €5.99 · once
Select country and document
Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC — ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification — source cited on every document.
Worth knowing: Government of Canada rules require passport photos to be taken by a commercial photographer or studio — the stamped back is checked. We don't sell you a print sheet pretending otherwise. Self-made photos ARE accepted for Canadian visitor visas, work and study permits, and citizenship applications — each has its own page here.
How it works
01
Choose your document
58 documents across 29 destinations, each with the official specification built in.
02
Add your photo
Ten checks measure it live on your device — nothing is uploaded.
03
Pay once, download everything
Exact-spec file, print sheet and compliance report. One price, no subscription.
What is a Canada Passport photo?
A Canadian passport photo is a 50×70 mm print — larger than the international standard — with the face measuring 31–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white or light-coloured background. The back of one photo must carry the commercial photographer's name, address and the date, plus the guarantor's signature.
That stamped back is what makes Canada unusual: the photo must be taken by a commercial photographer or studio, so self-made photos cannot be used for the passport itself. Self-submission is fine for Canada's visitor visas, work and study permits, and citizenship applications — different specs, covered on their own pages.
That means a self-printed photo cannot be used for the passport itself. This page gives you the full specification, lets you pre-check your framing against the 31–36 mm head band before paying a studio, and points you to the Canadian documents where a self-made photo genuinely works.
Canada Passport photo requirements
| Size | 50×70 mm · 591×827 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 591×827px JPEG |
| Background | white |
| Head height | 44.3–51.4% of frame height |
| Digital upload | not accepted — printed photos only |
| Background editing | not permitted — we keep you compliant by not touching it |
- Chin-to-crown must measure 31–36 mm on the 50×70 mm print.
- Canada requires a commercial photographer's stamp and a guarantor signature on the back — our print sheet works for online-upload documents, and as a guide for studio visits.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
What you get for €5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (591×827px)
- Compliance report — everything we measured, printable
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 2 copies and cut lines
one-time payment — no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions — 591×827px
- Plain white background, evenly lit
- Head filling 44.3–51.4% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glare on glasses or tinted lenses
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why PassportClerk
Private by architecture
The free check runs on your device, and paid photos are deleted after 48 hours.
Measured, not guessed
Ten checks against the official specification — with the numbers shown, not a vague thumbs-up.
Exact files, first time
Correct pixels, DPI and file size for the portal, plus a print-ready sheet.
Fair by default
One price, no subscription. Wrong files? We fix them or refund you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my own Canadian passport photo?
No. The photo must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio, and the back must show the studio's name, address and the date the photo was taken, with your guarantor's signature. Home-printed photos are rejected at intake.
What is the Canadian passport photo size?
50 mm wide by 70 mm high — larger than the international 35×45 format — with the face measuring 31–36 mm from chin to crown of head, neutral expression, uniform white or light-coloured background.
So what is this page for?
Knowing the rules before the studio visit: the free checker shows whether your intended framing, expression and lighting meet the 31–36 mm band and background rules, and this page documents every requirement with the official source. For visa, permit and citizenship photos — where self-submission is allowed — our full service applies.
Are glasses allowed?
Non-tinted prescription glasses are fine if the eyes are clearly visible with no glare; sunglasses are banned. Religious head coverings are permitted if the full face is visible.
Compliance, honestly
- We validate your photo against the official rules — we never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- You get a measured report, not a guarantee — final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07