How should a Canada visa photo look?
Canada uses two separate formats. For Canadian citizens: passport, PR card, citizenship, NEXUS and the PAL/RPAL firearms licence: 50×70 mm: a size used only in Canada in the world. Head 31-36 mm, white or slightly off-white background. Two identical prints are required; on the back of the print the photographer writes their own name, the studio name and the capture date (no signature). A guarantor: someone who has known the applicant for at least two years, is 18+, a Canadian citizen and not a family member: writes "I certify that this is a true likeness of [full name]", their name, signature, phone number and the date. For a foreigner's Canadian visa application (TRV): 35×45 mm Schengen format with the same head and background rules. A guarantor signature is not required; only the photographer's details are written on the back.
Regulatory authorities and the recency rule
The rules are set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Passport Canada. The NEXUS trusted-traveller card is issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the PAL/RPAL firearms licence by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Provincial driving licences and ID cards are handled by provincial agencies such as Service Ontario, ICBC and Service Alberta. IRCC requires the photo to have been taken within the last six months in both formats; the date written on the back must reflect the actual capture date.
Workflow after the shoot
When the customer enters the studio, the first question is which application is being filed. The captured frame is sent to PhotoID Studio. For passport / PR / citizenship / NEXUS the Canada passport preset is selected; head height is placed in the 31-36 mm range and 50×70 mm + 300 DPI two identical prints are produced. For a visa (TRV) the 35×45 mm preset is selected. The photographer writes name + studio + capture date on the back of one print; on the passport side that needs a guarantor signature, the customer is reminded to have the guarantor complete that step.
Capture setup and customer direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of a white or very slightly off-white backdrop with the shoulders parallel to the camera. The camera is on a tripod with the lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45°, a reflector on the opposite side. Give the cue "mouth completely closed, no teeth showing, eyes fully open". Glasses: banned for passports since 2016 and for PR since 2020; no medical exception is accepted. The customer may wear contact lenses. Religious headscarves, turbans and a kippa are accepted, but the facial features (forehead, cheeks, chin) must remain visible.
Rejection reasons at IRCC and Passport Canada
• Missing guarantor certification, signature, phone or date on a passport/PR/citizenship application: the most critical Canada-specific rejection reason. • Wrong format: handing in a 35×45 mm visa print for a passport, or a 50×70 mm passport print for a TRV visa application. • Head height outside the 31-36 mm range. • A frame older than six months from the capture date; reprinting an old digital file. • Glasses worn: banned for passports since 2016 and for PR since 2020; no medical exception is accepted. • A smile or visible teeth. • Cream, grey or coloured background: any tone other than white or slightly off-white. • Two prints that are not identical; two prints from different framings or different sessions. • Tilted head or eyes off the horizontal centre line.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Canadian passport and Canadian visa photos the same size?
No. Canadian citizen passport / PR / citizenship / NEXUS applications use 50×70 mm: a size used only in Canada in the world. A foreigner's TRV visa application uses the 35×45 mm Schengen format.
Who signs the back of the photo?
For passport / PR / citizenship / NEXUS the photographer writes their own name, the studio name and the capture date on the back of the print: no signature. A guarantor (someone who has known the applicant for at least two years, is 18+, a Canadian citizen and not a family member) writes the certification statement, their name, signature, phone number and the date. For a TRV visa application no guarantor signature is required.
What does "two identical prints" mean?
IRCC requires two identical copies in both applications. The two prints must come from the same framing, the same session and the same crop. Different frames or two prints from different sessions are rejected.
Is an off-white background accepted?
Yes. The Canadian spec accepts pure white or a slightly off-white tone. This is more flexible than the strict rules in Schengen and Germany; cream, grey and coloured backgrounds are still rejected.
Can I wear glasses for the passport photo?
No. The 2016 ban for passports and the 2020 ban for PR are strictly applied and no medical exception is accepted. The customer may wear contact lenses.
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