Canada Passport Photo Online

Do you need to replace your Canadian passport or get the new one? It's going to be easy: the passport application process takes only about 10 days.

Along with your application, you will need to provide two identical passport photos that meet the official requirements. To reduce the time required to collect and submit the necessary documents, and to ensure you are completely satisfied with your passport portrait, we suggest reading detailed information about the rules, requirements, and tips for passport photos in Canada.

Table of contents

Canada Passport Photo Requirements
Get Your Canada Passport Photo Online!
Where Can I Get My Canada Passport Photo Taken Near Me?
What Is a Typical Canada Passport Photo Price?
How to Print Out a Digital Photo for Canada Passort?
A Stamp or Signature on the Back of the Canada Passport Photo
What to Do if My Passport Photo is Rejected?
FAQ
Links

Canada Passport Photo Requirements

The most distinctive feature of passport photos in Canada is their dimensions. The required Canada passport photo size is 50 mm wide x 70 mm long.

This is a larger format than in most countries: for example, in the U.S., the required passport photo measurements are 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), and in the UK and Australia the size is 35x45 mm. That is why it can be difficult to get a Canada passport photo outside the country: not all offline photo shops offer this format.

The background of a Canada passport photo must be white or light-coloured. The facial expression must be neutral, with eyes clearly visible.

For online renewal of a Canadian passport under the simplified procedure, renewal of a Canadian passport under the simplified procedure a printed photo is not required. Instead, you must submit a digital JPEG/JPG image that meets the following requirements:

File format: JPEG/JPG
Image dimensions: 1200 × 1800 to 3000 × 4500 pixels
File size: 200 KB to 5 MB
Aspect ratio: 3:2
Head height: 45–50% of the frame

Learn more about Canada passport photo requirements here.

Get Your Canada Passport Photo Online!

The fastest way to get your Canada ID photo is to use specialized online software. Visafoto instantly converts any portrait into a professional passport photo: it sets the correct size, adjusts the background, straightens a tilted head, and improves image quality by enhancing resolution, correcting lighting, and refining details. It is suitable for any type of ID, including passports, visas, and driving licenses.

Simply upload your portrait taken against any background from a distance of 1.5–2 meters from your face. Select the type of ID you need the photo for and receive a professionally processed result within seconds. You will get two versions of the file: one optimized for online submission and another one ready for printing.

Note that Visafoto.com has been processing Canada passport photos since November 2013 and has produced thousands of 5×7 Canadian passport photos successfully accepted by Canadian authorities.

Get your Canada passport or Canada visa photo online.

Take an image with a smartphone against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.

Upload photo & Continue

Source

Result

So let's have a look at some examples. Your original photo should look like this:

After resizing, you will get a photo for online submission and 4 photos for printing:

Where Can I Get My Canada Passport Photo Taken Near Me?

If getting a passport photo online with Visafoto in a couple of seconds from a selfie is not your preferred option, there are several main ways to obtain a Canadian passport photo offline:

Pharmacies and retail chains (Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, etc.);
Local camera shops.

Note that camera shops typically do not provide digital versions of photos, which are required for electronic applications. If they do, it may be available for an additional fee, often doubling the cost of the photo.

What Is a Typical Canada Passport Photo Price?

Online. A Canada passport picture that you can get on Visafoto.com costs $9 US dollars. You can print it multiple times (like $0.30 CAD per 2-4 printed photo cards). Along with a printable template you will get a digital passport photo to submit your passport or visa application online.

Retail chains. Canadian pharmacies and convenience stores have about the same rates for passport photos. On average, it is $13 CAD for two ID pictures. Typically no digital version is included. Here is a brief price list:

Shoppers Drug Mart: $19.99 CAD for a set of passport photos
Jean Coutu: $13.80 CAD for a set of passport photos
Walmart: a set of passport sized photos costs $13.97 CAD.

How to Print Out a Digital Photo for Canada Passort?

Along with your passport application you must submit two printed photographs. Visafoto provides customers with a template for printing on 10x15 cm (4x6”) paper (that's a standard postcard size). If you have a printer allowing you to make a color printing, then just use this file to get your photo cards.

What if you don't have a printer? Many pharmacies, post offices and retail stores all over Canada offer printing services. But watch out: if you bring them a flash stick with an image file to print your, they can refuse to print it at a regular price, and will charge about the same price as if you were taking your passport photo at theirs. But there is a lifehack: order your prints online instead. You can order prints online for as low as $0.39 CAD and pick them up at the nearest store.

A Stamp or Signature on the Back of the Canada Passport Photo

According to Canada passport photo rules, on the back of 1 photo there must be a stamp or written information showing the date the photo was taken, name and complete address of the photo studio.

You can just put a signature of the person who took the photo (the original photographer) or someone else who knows you and can confirm your identity. Having done thousands of Canada passport photos online, our clients used this method and had their photos successfully accepted.

What to Do if My Passport Photo is Rejected?

That can happen if your photo does not meet the criteria of format, quality or dress code. If you purchased your photo on Visafoto, the probability of an error is very small: the service takes into account all the necessary details. But if it does happen, be sure to write to our technical support. We will replace the photo free of charge or refund the full amount of the service.

FAQ

What is the required size of a Canadian passport photo?

A passport photo for a Canadian passport must be 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches). The head height from chin to crown must be between 31 mm and 36 mm.

How many photos do I need for a Canadian passport application?

For a paper application, you must provide 2 identical printed photos taken within the last 6 months.

Do I need to print a passport photo if I renew a Canadian passport online?

No, you do not need to print or submit a physical photo when renewing a Canadian passport online. Instead, you must upload a digital file that meets the official file format and size requirements.

What are the requirements for a digital Canadian passport photo?

For online passport renewal, the photo must be in JPEG or JPG format, sized between 1200 × 1800 px and 3000 × 4500 px, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The file size must be between 200 KB and 5 MB. The head should take up approximately 45–50% of the image height.

What expression is required for a Canadian passport photo?

The expression must be neutral. You must look directly at the camera with eyes open and clearly visible, and your mouth must be closed. Smiling or exaggerated expressions are not accepted.

What background is allowed for a Canadian passport photo?

The background must be plain white or light-coloured, with no shadows, patterns, or objects. There must be a clear contrast between your face and the background.

Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?

Glasses are allowed only if your eyes are fully visible and there is no glare on the lenses. Tinted or sunglasses are not permitted.

Can I wear a hat or head covering?

Hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. In such cases, the full face must remain clearly visible without shadows.

How recent must a Canadian passport photo be?

The photo must be taken within the last 6 months before submitting the application.

Last update: June 2026