Free tool · Photo ID

Canada Passport Photo Maker

A Canadian passport photo is 50 × 70 mm — larger than the global 35 × 45 mm standard — with the face measuring 31-36 mm from chin to crown. The background must be plain white or light-coloured. Photos must be taken within the last six months and signed by the photographer on the back of one print. Submitted in pairs of identical originals.

$160 CADis the 2026 fee for a Canadian 10-year adult passport —·canada.ca passport fees

Updated May 22, 2026·Verified against Canada official passport spec · headshot research team

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Passport country

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Selfie or head-and-shoulders photo · processed in your browser

Canada passport photo at a glance

Physical size	50 × 70 mm
Pixels @ 300 DPI	591 × 827
Head height	31 - 36 mm
Background	Plain white or light-coloured
Accepted formats	JPG
Passport fee (2026)	$120 (5-year) / $160 (10-year)
Processing time	2-3 weeks in-person, up to 6 weeks by mail, urgent same-day at $110 surcharge
Studio cost	$15 to $25 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart, Costco, or Walmart
Official source	canada.ca

What the rules actually say

Canada's passport photo requirements are unusual in two ways: the physical size (50 × 70 mm, larger than the 35 × 45 mm global standard) and the photographer signature requirement that effectively rules out home photography. The signed back of one of the two prints is checked at the IRCC office during application — without it, the application is held.

The 50 × 70 mm format means a Canadian passport photo cannot be cropped from a 35 × 45 mm photo without re-shooting — there isn't enough surrounding image data. If you have a US (51 × 51 mm) photo, the aspect ratio is close enough that some studios can re-print at 50 × 70 with minor cropping, but check with the photographer.

Glasses have been banned since July 2016, even with a medical exception. This catches a lot of long-time eyeglass-wearers off-guard during renewal. Remove glasses for the shoot; the photo expires in 10 years (5 if you're under 16) so it's worth the temporary discomfort.

Same-day urgent passport service exists at Service Canada centres for an additional $110 surcharge, but requires a complete and compliant application including a photographer-signed photo. Many Service Canada locations have an on-site photo service that handles the signature requirement in 10 minutes — worth using if you're applying urgently and don't want a separate pharmacy trip.

Top reasons Canada passport photos get rejected

Photo not signed and dated by the photographer on the reverse of one print
Two photos not perfectly identical (same shot, same paper, same crop)
Glasses (banned for Canadian passports since July 2016)
Background coloured or patterned
Head height outside 31-36 mm range

Where to apply for your Canada passport

Apply for a Canadian passport. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html →

Studio alternative: $15 to $25 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart, Costco, or Walmart. The photo from this tool meets the same published spec — print on photo paper at home or at a drugstore for the same compliance result.

Related countries

If you also need a passport photo for a neighbouring or related country, the spec usually differs slightly. Here are the closest matches:

United States passport photo — 51 × 51 mm, white or off-white
Mexico passport photo — 35 × 45 mm, fondo blanco
United Kingdom passport photo — 35 × 45 mm, light-coloured

Privacy: what we do with your photo

The Canada passport photo maker runs entirely in your browser. Cropping, scaling, and background colour replacement happen on your device using the Canvas API. The background-removal step uses our private worker server, processes the image in memory only, and deletes it immediately after returning the cutout — no logs, no storage, no training data.

Page URL: https://freeheadshot.org/tools/passport-photo/canada. Spec verified against canada.ca on 2026-05-22.

Questions, answered

Canada Passport Photo Maker — frequently asked questions

Why does Canada require the photographer to sign the back?

IRCC uses the photographer's signature and stamp as an authentication mechanism — confirming the photo was professionally taken within the last six months. Self-shot home photos are NOT accepted for Canadian passport applications, unlike most other countries.

Can I print my own Canadian passport photo at home?

No. The photographer signature requirement effectively requires a commercial photo studio. Most pharmacies (Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, London Drugs) and many Costco / Walmart photo counters meet the standard for $15-25 CAD.

Why is Canada's photo bigger than the US 2 × 2?

Historical: Canada adopted the 50 × 70 mm format in 2002 for the new biometric passport. The larger size gives the chip's facial-recognition algorithm more pixel data for matching. The cost is incompatibility with US/UK photo machines.

What about the Canadian Permanent Resident card photo?

Same 50 × 70 mm spec, same signature requirement, same six-month freshness rule. PR card photos and passport photos are interchangeable.

Are head coverings allowed?

Yes, for religious or medical reasons. Hijab, turban, kippah are all explicitly allowed. The face from forehead to chin must be unobstructed.

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