Canada Passport Photo Requirements

The complete spec for a Canada Passport photo, and how to hit it at home.

Print size	50 × 70 mm
Digital	420 × 560 min
Head height	Head 31–36mm, face centered
Background	White or light
Fine print	Guarantor endorsement required on the back of prints; neutral mouth, closed.

How to shoot it

1. Daylight facing a window, plain white or light wall — see the lighting tutorial.
2. Check head height against the spec above before cropping — it is the #1 silent rejection.
3. Crop to exact size with the ID photo tool (this spec's proportions are baked in), print matte.
4. Confirm current rules with the issuing authority — specs drift, especially for digital submissions.

Other specs

FAQ

What size is a Canada Passport photo?

50 × 70 millimetres (420 × 560 min in pixels where digital submission applies). Head height should be Head 31–36mm, face centered of the frame.

What background does the Canada Passport photo need?

White or light. Keep the background evenly lit — shadows are a top rejection cause. Guarantor endorsement required on the back of prints; neutral mouth, closed.