Make Canada Passport / Visa Photo Online

How idPhotoDIY works

Step 1: Take passport photo using smart phone or digital camera.

  • Take the photo in front of a plain background such as white wall or screen.
  • Make sure that there are no other objects in the background.
  • Make sure there are no shadows on your face or on the background.
  • Position the camera in the same height as the head.
  • Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.

Step 2: Upload the photo to make passport size photo.

Upload photo to make Canada visa photo

Click here if you want to make passport / visa photos for other countries.

Passport Photo Size and Requirements

  1. The photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer.
  2. Photos must be taken within the last six (6) months.
  3. The photos must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background with enough contrast between the background, facial features and clothing, so that the applicant’s features are clearly distinguishable against the background.
  4. Applicant must show a neutral facial expression (no smiling, mouth closed) and look straight at the camera.
  5. The photos must be clear, sharp and in focus.
  6. The photos must show a full head without any head covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons. However, the head covering must not cast shadows on the face and the full face must be clearly visible.
  7. Glare and shadows are unacceptable. The lighting must be uniform to avoid glare or shadows across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.
  8. Photos must represent natural skin tones.
  9. Eyes must be open and clearly visible. Photos with the red eye effect or red eye alterations are unacceptable.
  10. Prescription eyeglasses may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection or glare on the eyeglasses.
  11. Sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses are unacceptable.
  12. The length of the face on the photos from chin to crown of head (natural top of head) must be between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches).
  13. The photos must measure 50 mm X 70 mm in size (2 inches wide X 23/4 inches long).
  14. The photos must show a full front view of the face and top of the shoulders squared to the camera (the image of the face and shoulders must be centered in the photo). The head must not be tilted to the side.
  15. The two photos must be identical, unaltered and produced from a single negative or from a single electronic image file.
  16. Either black and white or colour photos are acceptable.
  17. The photos must be originals and not taken from an existing photo.
  18. Photos must be printed on plain, high quality photographic paper. Any other paper is unacceptable.
  19. The name of the photographer or studio, the complete address — street name and civic number (suite number, if applicable), town, postal code, and the date the photo was taken — must be provided directly on the back of one photo (see illustration below). This information should be stamped or handwritten by the photographer. Stick-on labels are unacceptable. Sufficient space must be allowed for the name of the applicant, the signature of the guarantor and the guarantor’s declaration.
    Canada passport photo size

Children Passport Photo Requirements

  1. Photos must show the child’s head and shoulders only. Parent’s or child’s hands must not appear in the photo.
  2. The Passport Program recognizes the difficulty in obtaining a neutral expression of a newborn and will allow some minor variations.
  3. 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.

Photos taken outside Canada

  1.  Photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer and they must comply with the Passport Program’s specifications and requirements above.
  2. Standard paper passport photo formats in other countries vary and may not be acceptable for Canadian passport photos, such as (2 inches x 2 inches) in the United States.

Example Photos

Canada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photoCanada passport photo

Example Photos for Children

Canada children passport photoCanada children passport photo

Other Passport / Visa Photo Rules, Guidelines, and Specifications

Wheelchairs: Passport photos must be taken against a plain, uniform white or light-coloured background to ensure that the applicant’s facial features and edges of the face are clearly visible. As such, for someone who is in a wheelchair, we recommend that the photo be taken with a plain white blanket placed over the wheelchair behind the applicant’s head.

Headwear or nasal cannula: When required for medical reasons, headwear or a nasal cannula may appear in a passport photo— provided that the eyes remain clearly visible. We recommend that you include a signed explanatory letter with your application. The Passport Program may also request that you submit a letter from your doctor.

Tips for taking a good passport photo

Video: photos of adults
Video: photos of toddlers
Video: photos of babies

References

How to make Canada Passport / Visa photo at home


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.

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: No need to worry about the background as our online passport photo generator will automatically remove or change the background for you.

unacceptable passport photo

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.

acceptable passport photo

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.

unacceptable passport photo

unacceptable passport photo

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.

acceptable passport photo

Unacceptable passport photo

 

Good and bad examples of passport photos

Example of passport photos

Printed passport photos

Online Passport Photo Generator

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