Passport (By photographer or studio)

Specifications

FAQ

Bullets are grouped from this country’s requirement text and spec fields. If a topic has no matching lines in our data, we show common international-style guidance—always confirm with your issuer.

1.Photo basics & quality▼

• Final print size for this preset: 5:7 (50 × 70 mm).
• You must submit two (2) identical photos with each passport application.
• taken by a commercial photographer.
• clear, sharp and in focus. Photos may be in colour or in black and white.
• original photos that are not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo.
• reflect your current appearance (taken within the last 12 months).
• professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper (photos printed at home and photos printed on heavy weight paper are not acceptable).
• the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken. The photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are unacceptable.
• your guarantor clearly write: "I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicant's name)" and sign his or her name (unless you are applying to renew a passport, as no guarantor is necessary for renewals).
• Your hair can be down.
• If applying for a one-time replacement passport for a child, you must include a photo that has been taken within one month of the date the application is submitted.
• Always confirm the latest rules with the official issuing authority or online application portal before you submit.
• Dimensions for this preset: 50 × 70 mm (5:7 (50 × 70 mm)).
• Suggested print resolution: 600 DPI (confirm with your issuer).
• Typical digital dimensions when specified: 2000 × 2800 px (confirm upload requirements).
• A printable physical photo may be required for this document type (when applicable).
• Online submission with a digital file may be required (check the current application flow).
• Photo paper when printing: matte.

2.Pose & expression▼

• 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide X 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head).
• taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling).
• taken straight on, with face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera.
• Head size in frame: Head must be between 70 to 80 % of the photograph from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head

3.Attire & accessories▼

• Glasses, including tinted prescription glasses, may be worn in photos as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare in the glasses. Sunglasses or photos where there is the red-eye effect are unacceptable.
• Hats and head coverings must not be worn, unless it is worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons. However, your full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.

4.Lighting & background▼

• taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections.
• taken in front of a plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between your face and the background. Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
• Shadows are not acceptable. Lighting must be uniform to avoid shadows across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.
• Background (summary): White — plain and evenly lit unless your issuer specifies a different tone.

5.Children & infants▼

• Child photos must follow the same rules indicated above.
• Photos must show the child's head and shoulders only. Parent's or child's hands must not appear in the photo.
• Passport Canada recognizes the difficulty in obtaining a neutral expression of a newborn and will allow for some tolerance in this regard.
• For newborn babies, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head. There must be no shadows on the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.

Visual guide

Illustrative reference photos served from a third-party CDN. Use only as informal guidance; follow your official instructions.

How to make this photo

1. 1.Step 1: Use a digital camera or a smartphone

   • —Find someone to take the photo for you and selfie photo is not acceptable for passport photo application. If you have a tripod, use it. A tripod will make it easier to keep the camera steady and level. The distance of the person to the camera should be around 1 meter.

2. 2.Step 2: Find a venue with good lighting

   • —When taking photo, you should face the light, such as a nice bright window or the door. This can provide even lighting to avoid shadows on the face and background. The face must be evenly lit. There should be no shadows and glares on the face.
   • —Note: A simple wall is fine; you can tidy or replace the background while editing.

3. 3.Step 3: Wear properly for your passport photo

   • —Do not wear uniforms. Wear regular street clothes in your photo.
   • —Do not wear eyeglasses. If you wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses, take them off for your passport photo.
   • —Your face must still be fully visible. Don’t let your hair drape over your face and obscure your eyes. If you have very long bangs that cover your eyebrows, you should pin them back with bobby pins. It’s best if your ears show, as well, but that won’t cause your photo to be rejected.
   • —No hats are allowed in passport photos unless it is religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke that you wear every day.

4. 4.Step 4: Pose for a passport

   • —Look straight towards the camera with face straight on. Head should not be tilted or rotated.
   • —Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears.
   • —Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.
   • —Position the camera in the same height as the head.

5. 5.Step 5: Have a neutral facial expression

   • —You can smile in your passport photos, but the government prefers that you have a neutral facial expression.
   • —Smiling or having your mouth open is usually not acceptable, especially under the new international passport rules.
   • —Online Passport Photo Generator