Photo rejection is the single most common reason Canadian passport applications get bounced. The IRCC publishes precise specifications and the office reviewers apply them strictly. If you walk into a Service Canada Passport Office with the wrong photos, you will be turned away — no exceptions, no on-the-spot fixes. Here is the full 2026 spec.
The core specs
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (about 2 × 2.75 inches) |
| Face size (chin to crown of head) | 31–36 mm |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured (uniform, no patterns) |
| Lighting | Even, no shadows on face or background |
| Photo finish | Matte or semi-matte (glossy not preferred but accepted) |
| Number of photos | Two identical copies |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Source | Commercial photographer (not self-taken) |
These specifications differ from the United States (51 × 51 mm square) and from the United Kingdom (35 × 45 mm). A photo printed to a foreign specification will be rejected.
Why the face-size rule is the #1 cause of rejection
The face must measure 31 to 36 millimetres from the bottom of the chin to the top (crown) of the head. Crown means the top of your head — including hair, but excluding any hair that sticks up unnaturally.
Most rejected photos are undersized (face <31 mm) because the photographer left too much space above the head or below the chin to make the photo "feel" comfortable. The Passport Office literally measures with a ruler. If the face is 30.5 mm, the photo is rejected.
Action: when picking up photos, take out a ruler before you leave the studio. Measure chin-to-crown. If it is <31 mm or >36 mm, ask for a re-shoot.
Background and lighting
- Plain white or light-coloured. Light grey is acceptable; off-white is acceptable. Patterned, textured, or gradient backgrounds are not acceptable.
- No shadows on the face or on the background behind your head.
- No reflections on the face (oily skin can be powdered).
- Even lighting — both sides of the face evenly lit. No dramatic side-lighting.
Pose and expression
- Looking directly at the camera. No tilts. No three-quarter angles.
- Neutral expression. Mouth closed (no smiling, frowning, or grimacing).
- Eyes open and clearly visible. Pupils centred (no looking left, right, up, or down).
- Head straight — no tilts forward, backward, or to the side.
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Glasses, head coverings, makeup
- No eyeglasses of any kind (since July 2016). This includes:
- Prescription glasses
- Reading glasses
- Sunglasses
- Tinted lenses
- "Photochromic" lenses (Transitions)
- Religious head coverings are permitted as long as the entire face from chin to forehead and ear-to-ear is visible with no shadows.
- Makeup is fine if it does not significantly alter your appearance.
- Visible piercings and tattoos are fine — these are part of your appearance.
Hair
- Hair is acceptable in front of the eyes if your eyes remain clearly visible.
- Hair that hangs in front of part of the face is fine if the face outline is still discernible.
- Wigs and hair extensions: acceptable if they represent your usual appearance.
The back of the photo — Photographer Note and Guarantor signature
Two photos are required. The back of each photo serves a different purpose:
Photo 1 (Photographer Note): Written in pen, by the photographer, on the back:
```
Studio name: [studio]
Address: [address]
Date taken: [YYYY-MM-DD]
```
Photo 2 (Guarantor signature): Your guarantor signs the back with:
```
"I certify this to be a true likeness of [Your Full Name]"
[Guarantor signature]
[Date]
```
The guarantor is the person who is also signing your PPTC 153 form (or PPTC 054 for renewal). A guarantor must currently hold a Canadian passport and have known you for at least 2 years.
Specific rules for child photos
For children under 16:
- Same 50 × 70 mm size, same 31–36 mm face size.
- Neutral expression — a closed mouth and relaxed face is the goal.
- Infants (under 1 year): eyes can be closed; mouth open if the baby is sleeping is acceptable.
- No supporting hands visible in the frame. Newborns can be photographed lying on a plain white sheet from above.
- No toys, dummies, or other objects in the photo.
Where to get a passport photo
- Drug stores with photo counters (Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc.) typically charge $15–$25 and explicitly know the Canadian spec.
- Costco offers low-cost passport photos for members in many provinces.
- Walmart Photo Centre does Canadian passport photos.
- Independent photo studios are usually the most reliable for non-standard cases (kids, religious coverings, etc.).
The "do not" checklist
| Don't | Why it gets rejected |
|---|---|
| Wear glasses | Banned since July 2016 |
| Smile or open mouth | Must be neutral |
| Use a US (51 × 51 mm) photo | Wrong size |
| Print at home on inkjet paper | Quality / finish issues |
| Submit a selfie | Not a commercial photo |
| Use a photo older than 6 months | Date is verified on the back |
| Wear a hat (non-religious) | Not allowed |
| Wear a uniform | Civilian clothing only |
| Submit photos with a visible date stamp | The visible stamp covers face/edge |
| Submit photos that have been retouched | Filters, beauty modes, age-reduction edits → rejection |
What happens if the photo is rejected mid-process
If the Passport Office mails your application back for a photo issue, you have 90 days to re-submit the corrected photos without re-paying the fee. Beyond 90 days, the application is closed and you must restart.
For the full first-time application walkthrough, see [How to Apply for Canadian Passport (First-Time, 2026)](/blog/how-to-apply-for-canadian-passport-first-time). For renewal, see [Canadian Passport Renewal 2026](/blog/canadian-passport-renewal-2026).
Read Next
- [Canadian Passport Renewal 2026](/blog/canadian-passport-renewal-2026) — simplified process, fees, and PPTC 054 form
- [How to Apply for a Canadian Passport (First-Time)](/blog/how-to-apply-for-canadian-passport-first-time) — PPTC 153 walkthrough
- [Canadian Citizenship Photo Requirements](/blog/canadian-citizenship-photo-requirements) — different specs (50×70mm but different rules vs passport photos)
- [The New Canadian Passport 2026](/blog/new-canadian-passport-2026) — polycarbonate page, UV art, and security features
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Frequently Asked Questions
1What is the exact size for a Canadian passport photo?
**50 × 70 mm** (about 2 × 2.75 inches). This is **not** the same as the US specification (51 × 51 mm square) or the UK specification (35 × 45 mm). A photo printed to US passport size will be **rejected** by the Canadian Passport Office.
2Can I take my own Canadian passport photo at home?
**No.** The Canadian Passport Office requires photos taken by a **commercial photographer** who completes the 'Photographer Note' on the back — studio name, address, and date. Self-taken photos (e.g. webcam selfies or smartphone shots) are systematically rejected even if the technical specs match.
3How recent does the photo have to be?
Taken within the **last 6 months** from the date you submit your application. The photographer writes the date on the back, and the Passport Office checks it. If you renew several months after taking the photos, retake them.
4Can I wear glasses in my Canadian passport photo?
**No.** Eyeglasses have been **banned** in new Canadian passport photos since **July 2016**, including prescription frames, reading glasses, and sunglasses. If you wear glasses daily, you must remove them for the photo. Exception: if removing glasses is medically dangerous (rare), provide a doctor's note.
5What about head coverings worn for religious reasons?
**Permitted**, provided the **full face is visible** from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and from ear to ear. No shadows on the face from the head covering. The Passport Office processes thousands of religious-headcovering photos annually without issue.
6What is the Photographer Note and where does it go?
On the **back of one** of the two photos, written in pen by the photographer: **(a)** photographer's name or studio name, **(b)** complete address, **(c)** date the photo was taken. The other photo is signed on the back by your **guarantor** with the statement 'I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name]' plus the date.
7What if I have a beard, religious head covering, or a medical condition affecting my appearance?
Photos must show your **current usual appearance**. Beards are fine if they are part of your usual look. Religious head coverings are permitted. Medical conditions affecting facial features (e.g. facial paralysis, scarring) are accepted — note them on the application if you anticipate questions at border crossings.
8Can my child smile in their passport photo?
**Neutral expression is required**, even for children. For infants, this is loosely interpreted — a relaxed expression with mouth closed is acceptable. For toddlers and older children, a closed mouth and neutral face are expected. The bar is much lower for newborns where eyes-closed photos are sometimes accepted.