Canadian citizenship photo requirements
As of November 3, 2026, Canada citizenship applications take studio photos: one digital file of at least 420 x 540 px and up to 4 MB online, or two 50 x 70 mm prints by mail (per canada.ca, checked on Nov 3, 2026).
For a citizenship grant, IRCC points applicants to a commercial photographer or studio.
Only an original, unaltered photo is accepted for Canadian citizenship.
One file from a commercial photographer, color if possible: a JPG or JPEG with minimal compression, at least 420 x 540 pixels, around 240 kB and never over 4 MB. It must be saved straight from the camera.
If the studio cannot give you a file, scanning or photographing their print is allowed, but IRCC calls a digital photo straight from the photographer the safer option.
Source: canada.ca
Two identical color prints, 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with 31 to 36 mm from chin to the natural top of the head, professionally printed on plain, high-quality photo paper.
The back shows your name (or the child’s), the photographer’s or studio’s name and full address, and the date the picture was taken. Photos that miss the specifications get the application returned.
Clear glasses, yes, if your eyes show, the frames stay off them and the lenses have no glare; tinted lenses and sunglasses, no, even on prescription. Hats and head coverings only when worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, with the full face visible and no shadows.
Source: canada.ca
Not without checking. IRCC says citizenship photos do not use the same specifications as passport photos, and the citizenship one must be under 6 months old. Source: official pages "Citizenship photo specifications" and "Citizenship grant online: photo specifications", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
Taken no more than 6 months before you submit the application, showing how you look now. Source: official page "Citizenship grant online: photo specifications", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or any other government agency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada publishes the photo rules for free at canada.ca; this page links to each one.
IRCC asks for citizenship photos from a commercial photographer or studio, refuses any altered photo (cropping around the head and shoulders counts) and wants digital files saved straight from the camera. SelfieToPassport does not make this photo. Use this page to check yours.
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.