Canada uses the largest passport photo of any major country: 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with the face measuring 31 to 36 mm from chin to crown. This maker crops to that exact frame, draws the face band as guide lines, and downloads 591×827 pixels at 300 DPI plus a printable 4×6 sheet with two copies.
Now the honest part, because Canada is strict about it: for a Canadian passport, your photos must be taken by a commercial photographer or studio, printed professionally, and home-printed photos are not accepted — one photo also needs the photographer’s name, address and the date on the back, plus your guarantor’s signature. So use this maker to get the composition right, to check a studio photo against the 31–36 mm band, and for other Canadian documents that accept supplied files — then have the final passport photos made by a studio. Always confirm the current specifications on canada.ca.
The official Canadian photo requirements
| Photo size | 50 mm wide × 70 mm high (2 × 2¾ inches) |
|---|---|
| This download | 591 × 827 px at 300 DPI |
| Face height | 31–36 mm from chin to crown (top of head) |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured, uniform, no shadows |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Quantity | Two identical, unaltered photos |
| Passport rule | Commercial photographer required; photographer details + date on the back of one photo, guarantor signature |
Note that the Canadian visa photo is a different, smaller format (35×45 mm) — if you are applying for a visa rather than a passport, use the 35×45 maker on this site instead and check the visa office’s current instructions.
Pose, background and glasses
Neutral facial expression: eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning. Face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera, head not tilted. Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed if your eyes are fully visible with no glare, but removing them removes a risk. Hair must not cover the edges of your face or your eyes, lighting must be uniform with no shadows, glare or flash reflections, and the photo must show your natural skin tone. Photos may be colour or black and white for Canadian passports — one of the few countries that still allows black and white — but they must never be altered or edited in any way.
How to take the photo at home
- Stand against a plain white or light-coloured wall in even light, wearing a darker top so your shoulders contrast with the background.
- Have another person photograph you at eye level from about a metre away, head and shoulders in frame.
- Keep a neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile — and take several shots.
- Upload the photo here and drag it so the top of your head meets the red line.
- Zoom until your chin sits between the green lines: the 31–36 mm band.
- Use the download to brief your photo studio or to double-check the prints they give you with a ruler.
Why Canadian photos get rejected
- Wrong size — a US 2×2 inch or 35×45 mm photo is not a Canadian passport photo.
- Face outside the 31–36 mm chin-to-crown band.
- Home-printed passport photos — Canada requires a commercial photographer.
- Smiling, mouth open, or a tilted head.
- Shadows, glare or flash reflections, or white clothing blending into the background.
- Any editing or alteration — including cropping a photo against a new background.
Printing your photos
The print sheet download places 2 copies on a standard 4×6 inch (10×15 cm) print at exactly 300 DPI. Print it at 100% scale — never “fit to page” — on glossy or matte photo paper, then cut along the light outlines. Measure one photo with a ruler before you submit: it must be exactly 50×70 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print my Canadian passport photos at home?
No. The Government of Canada requires passport photos to be taken by a commercial photographer or studio and professionally printed; home prints are refused. This maker is for composing and checking, not for the final passport prints.
What goes on the back of the photo?
The name and complete address of the photographer or studio and the date the photo was taken, on the back of one photo — and your guarantor must sign that same photo and write that they certify it is a true likeness of you.
Are glasses allowed in Canadian passport photos?
Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed if the eyes are fully visible and there is no glare — but sunglasses and tinted or transition lenses are not. Many people remove glasses to be safe.
Is the Canadian visa photo the same size?
No — the Canadian visa (temporary resident) photo is 35×45 mm. Use the Schengen 35×45 mm maker for the crop and check the visa office instructions for its digital file rules.
Related tools
Versión en español: Foto de Pasaporte de Canadá — Creador 50×70 mm, Gratis y Online. You may also like: Australia Passport Photo Maker — 35×45 mm Photo, Free & Online · China Visa Photo Maker — 33×48 mm Photo, Free & Online.
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