Guide
Canada Passport Photo Requirements: Size and Head Height
Canadian passport photos follow a 50×70 mm frame with a strict head measurement from chin to crown. Digital submission paths can add file-size or pixel rules on top. This guide summarizes the print standards IRCC publishes and how to check a crop before you visit a photographer or upload a file.
Specs checked against official wording on 2026-11-06. IRCC Canadian passport photos
Check a Canada passport photoIRCC size numbers
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 50 mm wide × 70 mm high |
| Pixels at 300 dpi (approx.) | 591 × 827 |
| Head size (chin to crown) | 31–36 mm |
| Background | Plain white or light |
| Quality | Sharp, clear, not altered to change appearance |
| Recency | Taken within the last six months (confirm current IRCC text) |
Head height is the measurement people miss. A face that looks “fine” in a US 2×2 crop can fail Canada’s 31–36 mm chin-to-crown band.
Digital portals and paper applications can differ. Read the IRCC page for your application type before you submit. ExactPhoto does not guarantee acceptance.
What usually causes rejection
- Head too small or too large in the frame
- Shadows, busy background, or filters
- Glasses glare or tinted lenses when not allowed
- Old photo or a crop from another document
Check the crop in your browser
- Take or choose a recent photo on a plain light background.
- Open the ExactPhoto Canada passport tool.
- Verify head height and overall frame against the guides.
- Download only after the preview looks correct — then confirm against IRCC.