What size is a Canadian visa photo in 2026?

35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). This is the standard size for all Canadian visas, work permits, and study permits.

Is the Canada visa photo different from the passport photo?

Yes. The visa photo is 35x45mm (same as European standards), while the Canadian passport photo is 50x70mm (unique Canadian size).

How many photos do I need for a Canadian visa?

Typically 2 identical photos are required for paper applications. Online applications may require 1 digital upload.

What size photo is needed for a Canada work permit?

35 x 45 mm, the same as a Canadian visa photo. Not the 50x70mm used for passports.

What are the photo requirements for Canada visa from India?

Same 35x45mm specification applies to Indian applicants. Submit 2 identical recent photos with a plain white background, taken within 6 months.

Can I use the Canada visa photo tool to check my photo?

Yes, our free tool crops, resizes, and validates your photo against the 35x45mm, white background, and head-size rules for Canadian visa applications.

Canada Visa Photo

Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-11

Photography Guidelines

1 Taken within the last 6 months
2 Plain white background
3 Neutral expression with mouth closed
4 Head centered and facing the camera directly
5 No filters or digital alterations
6 Adequate lighting with no shadows
7 Same spec is used for Canadian work permit & study permit photos

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using passport photo size

Canada visa photos are 35x45mm, different from passport photos at 50x70mm

Digital filters applied

No beauty filters or digital enhancements are allowed

Wrong photo for work permit

Work permit and study permit photos use the 35x45mm visa size, not the 50x70mm passport size

How to Take Your Photo

Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.

DIY at Home

Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.

1 Stand against a plain, smooth, light-colored wall with even daylight from the front.
2 Use a tripod or steady surface so the camera is level with your eyes, ~1.5 m away.
3 Wear normal clothes that contrast with the background and remove glasses or hats.
4 Keep a neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes clearly visible.
5 Take several shots, pick the sharpest, then crop to the official size and DPI.
6 Save as the required file format and check file-size limits before submitting.

Using Your Smartphone

Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.

1 Use the rear camera (higher quality) and ask someone else to take the photo.
2 Stand 1–1.5 m from a plain wall; turn off flash and use natural daylight.
3 Tap to focus on the face and lock exposure so lighting stays consistent.
4 Frame head and shoulders so the head fills 50–70% of the height.
5 Avoid filters, beauty mode, and HDR — they distort facial features.
6 Crop to the exact ratio in a free tool, export at the required DPI.

With Our Online Service

Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.

1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie or full-body works.
2 Our AI auto-detects the face, removes the background, and applies the correct color.
3 It crops to the exact official dimensions for your selected document.
4 A compliance check flags head size, expression, lighting, and shadow issues.
5 Preview the result and retake free if anything looks off.
6 Download the digital file or order printed copies.

Price Comparison

Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.

Provider	Cost	Delivery	Notes
DIY at Home	Free	Instant	Requires a printer for hard copies
Local Photo Studio	$10–$20	Same day	Quality varies; not always compliance-checked
Pharmacy / Retailer	$10–$15	Same day	Convenient, but limited retake policies
Our Online Service	Free preview	Instant	AI compliance check, free retakes

Recommended Tools

PhotoGov

AI-powered Canadian visa photo maker

Make Your Photo Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Official References

Information on this page is based on the following official sources:

Government of Canada - Photo specifications