Canada Visa 2026
Canada Visa Photo Specification
Canada Visa photo requirements: 5 × 7cm, white background, head height 3.1-3.6cm.
| Size | 5 × 7cm |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 591 × 827px |
| DPI | 300 or higher |
| Background | White |
| Head Height | 3.1-3.6cmRequired |
| Validity | Taken within the last 6 months |
| File Spec | JPEG/JPG format, minimum 420 x 540 pixels |
Source: canada.ca ↗
- The official requirement is a frame of "at least 35 × 45 mm" with a chin-to-crown face height of 31–36 mm
- The photo needs a plain white or light-coloured background, a front view, a neutral expression and must be taken within the last 6 months
- You submit two identical prints on quality photographic paper
- Digital photos must not be altered in any way
- Unlike the Canadian passport, there is no commercial-photographer requirement and nothing has to be written on the back
Restrictions
- Expression
- Neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed
- Glasses
- Non-tinted prescription glasses allowed if eyes clearly visible and frame does not cover any part of eyes; sunglasses not acceptable
- Face
- Full front view of head with face in middle of photograph; includes top of shoulders
- Headwear
- Head coverings allowed for religious reasons if full facial features are not obscured
- Frame smaller than the 35 × 45 mm minimum
- Chin-to-crown face height outside the 31–36 mm range
- Patterned or shadowed background, or a background that is not plain white or light-coloured
- Digital photo that has been altered — retouched, composited or filtered
- Only one photo submitted, or the two photos are not identical
Create Your Canada Visa Photo
One selfie is all it takes — a 5 × 7cm compliant ID photo in minutes.
Drag & drop a photo, or
JPG · PNG · WEBP / max 10MB
Front-facing
Chest-up framing
One person
Sharp focus
Mouth closed (no teeth)
Documents Accepting the Same Photo
1
The documents below use the same spec (5 × 7cm) as Canada Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Canada Visa photo?
The Canada Visa photo size is 5 × 7cm. The background must be White.
Can I take a Canada Visa photo at home?
Yes. Unlike the passport, a Canadian visitor visa has no commercial-photographer requirement, so a self-taken photo is acceptable. Digital photos must not be altered, though, so get the plain white or light-coloured background and even lighting right at capture time. Use MONKOS to check the size, face ratio and framing.
What is the background color for a Canada Visa photo?
A Canada Visa photo requires a White background. Shadows or patterns may cause rejection.
What exact size does a Canada visa photo need to be?
The official rule is "at least 35 × 45 mm" — a minimum, not a single fixed size. Anything 35 × 45 mm or larger qualifies, including the 50 × 70 mm used for Canadian passports. Whichever size you print, the chin-to-crown face height must fall between 31 mm and 36 mm.
Are Canada visa and passport photos the same spec?
No. Passports use a fixed 50 × 70 mm, require an in-person commercial photographer, and ban editing and retouching outright. Visas have a 35 × 45 mm minimum and no photographer requirement. Only the 31–36 mm face height is shared. A 50 × 70 mm passport-format photo can be used for a visa, but a 35 × 45 mm visa photo cannot be used for a passport.
Are black and white visa photos accepted?
Yes. Canada accepts both colour and black and white visa photos. The two prints still have to be identical and printed clearly on quality photographic paper.
How many photos do I submit?
Two identical photos. Both must come from the same session and have been taken within the last 6 months. If they do not meet the specifications, processing stops until you supply new photos.
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