Where to Take a 2×2 Passport‑Sized Photo in Canada

While in the U.S., a “2×2 photo” usually means a square image that's 2 inches on each side, for Canadian passports, the photo needs to be slightly taller to meet the country’s specific photo requirements.

Read on to find out the detailed dimensions of a 2×2 photo, on how to crop a photo to 2×2 and where to get a 2 × 2 photo printed in Canada.

Table of contents

• U.S. vs. Canadian passport photo formats: the difference
• What is a 2×2 photo in pixels?
• Where to get 2×2 photos in Canada (options & prices)
• Online 2×2 Passport Photo
• Passport Photo App
• How to print a passport sized photo in Canada?

U.S. vs. Canadian passport photo formats: the difference

A 2×2 passport-type photograph is a standard-sized photo used for official documents like passports, visas, and ID applications. However, the passport photo requirements differ between Canada and the USA. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Photo size

• Canada:
  • 5 cm × 7 cm (2 inches wide × 2¾ inches high).
  • Face height must be 31–36 mm (1¼–1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from chin to crown.
• U.S.:
  • 2×2 picture size in cm in the US is 5 cm × 5 cm.
  • Face height must be 25–35 mm (1–1⅜ inches) from chin to top of head.

Background and lighting

• Canada:
  • Plain white or light-colored background with no shadows or textures.
  • Uniform lighting; no glare or reflections allowed.
• U.S.:
  • Plain white or off-white background without shadows or patterns.
  • Overhead lighting must avoid facial shadows.

Facial expression and appearance

• Canada:
  • Strict neutral expression: Mouth closed, no smiling, eyes open and visible.
  • Glasses allowed if no glare; head coverings only for religious/medical reasons.
• U.S.:
  • Neutral expression preferred but smiling with closed mouth is acceptable.
  • Glasses generally prohibited (unless medically necessary with a doctor’s note).

What is a 2×2 photo in pixels?

If you're taking a U.S. passport photo, make sure the image is square and at least 600 by 600 pixels in size (in JPEG format). To convert this size into pixels, you need to consider the resolution (DPI – dots per inch). The U.S. Department of State requires passport photos to have a resolution of at least 300 DPI, but preferably 600 DPI for optimal quality.

• At 300 DPI: 2 inches × 300 = 600 pixels
• At 600 DPI: 2 inches × 600 = 1200 pixels

So a photo should be at least 600×600 pixels, and ideally up to 1200×1200 pixels for high-resolution printing or digital submission.

Here is an example of the US passport photo:

Where to get 2×2 photos in Canada (options & prices)

You have several accessible options:

Pharmacies & Canadian photo labs

Major chains like Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs offer professional passport photo services. The average price is CAD 15–20 for two printed photos, and staff are trained to meet official specifications.

Print shops

Stores such as Staples and The UPS Store also provide ID photo services. At Staples, getting two printed passport photos costs around CAD 21.99. The UPS Store charges about CAD 14.99 for two prints, or CAD 24.99 if you also want a digital version. No appointment is needed, and the process is usually quick.

Stand‑alone digital kiosks

One of the main places to find self-service passport photo kiosks in Canada is Pro Passport Photo. They have several locations across Toronto and offer fast photo-taking with both printed and digital copies. For example, you can get two passport photos for anywhere between CAD 9 and 20, depending on the spot. The digital version is usually sent straight to your email.

Online 2×2 Passport Photo

Thanks to smartphones and online tools, getting a passport photo no longer requires a trip to a photo studio. With an online passport photo tool — Visafoto.com, you can take a photo at home and instantly get a professionally formatted image that meets official requirements. It's not only convenient, but also budget-friendly: a compliant passport or visa photo costs just $9.

The service has been helping people worldwide with passport, visa, and ID photos since 2013, and currently boasts a 99.7% acceptance rate.

To get started, take a picture using your phone or digital camera against a plain white wall and upload it to Visafoto.com. The system automatically adjusts the background, lighting, size, and crop to match the required 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format. You’ll instantly receive a digital version for online applications and a high-resolution printable image.

If you're not happy with the result, we'll replace it for free, and in the rare case of a rejection, you’ll get a full refund.

Passport Photo App

Prefer to handle everything on your phone? Try the 7ID App by Visafoto — available for both iOS and Android. It’s a simple and affordable way to create passport and visa photos on the go.

Here is how to take a 2×2 passport photo on iPhone or Android: take the photo in the daylight and upload it to the app. Select the country and document type, and the app will automatically format it according to official standards — adjusting the background, size, head position, and eye level. You’ll receive a digital copy and a print-ready template that fits standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. If you run into issues, 24/7 support is available to help.

How to print a passport sized photo in Canada?

2x2 passport photo printing template

Using services like Visafoto or 7ID, you’ll get a ready-to-print 2×2 photo layout with 4 passport-sized pictures on one sheet. Printing it is easy — here’s how:

If you’re printing at home:

1. Use 10×15 cm (4×6 inch) photo paper for the best quality.
2. Find the saved photo file on your computer.
3. Right-click on it and choose “Print.” Make sure to select the correct paper size.

If you don’t have a printer:

1. Go to a local photo printing shop and ask them to print your photo on 10×15 cm (4×6 inch) paper.
2. Many printing services allow you to order your 2×2 photo prints in Canada online. Simply upload your file to the website, select the 10×15 cm print size, pay about CAD 0,48 and place your order. Your printed photos will be shipped to your home, or you can pick them up at your convenience.