Canadian citizenship photo requirements
Citizenship photos must come from a commercial photographer, so this page lists what the grant and proof of citizenship applications ask for and checks the studio's photo before you send it.
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Canadian citizenship photo requirements
| Print size | 50 x 70 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of head) | 31–36 mm |
| Background | Plain white or light-colored, with no shadows |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed if there is no glare and your eyes are fully visible |
| Head covering | Only for religious or medical reasons |
| How recent | Taken no more than 6 months before you apply |
| Who takes the photo | A commercial photographer or photo studio, unaltered; photos taken or printed at home are not accepted |
| Digital photo | Online: JPEG file from the photographer with minimal compression, at least 420 x 540 px, about 240 KB and no more than 4 MB |
- Taken by a commercial photographer or studio; printed photos are professionally printed on plain, high-quality photo paper, never at home
- Original and unaltered in any way: no changes to color, brightness or contrast, no cropping or pasting, no red-eye removal, no facial or background edits
- Paper (grant or proof of citizenship): 2 identical color photos; the back of each shows your first and last name, the photographer's or studio's name and complete address and the date taken
- Online grant: 1 digital photo, color preferred or black and white; online proof of citizenship: 1 color digital photo
- Citizenship photos do not use the same specifications as passport photos: check the application you are making
Official source: Government of Canada (IRCC) — Citizenship photo specifications
Grant or proof of citizenship, online or by mail
IRCC publishes photo rules for each citizenship application. The size and pose are the same; what changes is the number of photos and the format.
- Citizenship grant (becoming a citizen), online: 1 digital photo, in color (preferred) or black and white.
- Citizenship grant, by mail: 2 identical color photos, printed.
- Proof of citizenship (citizenship certificate), online: 1 color digital photo.
- Proof of citizenship, by mail: 2 identical color photos, printed.
Every photo is 50 x 70 mm, with the face 31 to 36 mm from chin to crown, taken no more than 6 months before you apply, against a plain white or light-colored background. IRCC says citizenship photos do not use the same specifications as passport photos, so ask for citizenship photos and do not reuse passport prints.
Why the photo must come from a studio
For all four applications, the photo must be taken by a commercial photographer or studio, and prints must be professionally printed on plain, high-quality photo paper. The photo must be original and not altered in any way: no color, brightness or contrast changes, no cropping or pasting, no red-eye removal and no facial or background edits.
What an at-home photo can and cannot do for citizenship:
- It cannot be sent with your application, even if the size is right.
- It can help you prepare: check your glasses, hair and clothes against a white wall first.
- The checker above can check the studio’s photo without changing it, so you can ask for a retake before you mail anything.
The digital file for online applications
The online file is a JPEG with minimal compression, at least 420 x 540 pixels, about 240 KB and no more than 4 MB. Ask the studio for the original digital file. For an online grant application, if the photographer cannot give you one, IRCC allows you to scan or photograph the printed photo, but says the photographer’s file is the safer choice.
The back of the printed photos
The back of each print shows your (or your child’s) first and last name, the name and complete address of the photographer or studio, and the date the photo was taken. There is no guarantor signature for citizenship photos.
How to get a citizenship photo right
- Tell the studio it is for a Canadian citizenship application, grant or proof, online or by mail, so you get the right number of prints or the digital file.
- Pick clothes that contrast with a white or light background.
- Keep your hair off your face and clean your glasses, or take them off if they catch glare.
- Remove hats unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons, with your full face visible.
- Keep a neutral face: eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smile or frown.
- Check the name, studio address and date on the back of each print before you leave.
- Check the photo here by uploading the file or a flat, well-lit photo of the print.
What the checker measures for citizenship
For the digital file it checks the 420 x 540 pixel minimum, the 4 MB limit, the JPEG format and the 50 x 70 mm shape. On every photo it measures your head from chin to crown against 31–36 mm of 70 mm and checks that one face is centered and straight, your eyes open and mouth closed, the background plain and light, and the photo sharp, evenly lit and well exposed. It asks you to confirm glasses and head coverings. When a check fails, the fix is a new photo from the studio.
Common reasons citizenship photos are returned
- Wrong photo type: passport prints reused, or the wrong number of prints.
- Missing details on the back: name, studio name and address, or date.
- Photos older than 6 months.
- Home photos or home prints.
- Altered photos: brightened, cropped, background changed, red eye removed.
- Smiling, open mouth, or eyes hidden by hair, glare or tinted lenses.
- Shadows on the face or background.
Where to get it and what it costs
Look for a photo studio or pharmacy that takes Canadian citizenship photos and, if you apply online, can give you the digital file. Prices vary by store; see our Canadian passport photo price comparison for the published prices.
Children’s photos
A child’s photo shows the head and shoulders only, and the parent’s or the child’s hands must not appear. The back of a child’s printed photo shows the child’s first and last name.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Canadian citizenship photo?
A printed citizenship photo is 50 mm wide and 70 mm high (2 x 2¾ inches), with the face measuring 31 to 36 mm from the chin to the crown of the head. The digital photo for an online application must be a JPEG of at least 420 x 540 pixels, about 240 KB and no more than 4 MB.
Is a citizenship photo the same as a passport photo?
Not quite. IRCC says citizenship photos do not use the same specifications as passport photos. The print size and head size are the same, but the back of the photo, the number of photos and the digital file are different. Ask the studio for citizenship photos, and do not reuse passport prints.
Can I take my citizenship photo at home?
No. IRCC asks for photos taken by a commercial photographer or studio, and printed photos must be professionally printed on photo paper. Home photos and home prints are not accepted. You can use the free checker on this page to check the studio's photo before you send your application.
How many photos do I need for citizenship?
Paper applications for a citizenship grant or a citizenship certificate need 2 identical color photos. Online applications need 1 digital photo. For the grant, color is preferred and black and white is accepted; for an online proof of citizenship, the digital photo must be in color.
What goes on the back of a citizenship photo?
The back of each printed photo shows the applicant's first and last name, the name and complete address of the photographer or studio, and the date the photo was taken. No guarantor signature is needed.
What happens if my citizenship photos are wrong?
IRCC says it returns applications whose photos do not meet the specifications. That costs weeks, so check the photos before you send them. The checker measures the file or a photo of the print against the rules, and never changes it.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering?
Glasses are fine if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses; tinted lenses and sunglasses are refused. Hats and head coverings are accepted only if worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, with your full face clearly visible and no shadows.
Sources
- Government of Canada (IRCC) — Citizenship photo specifications (opened )
- Government of Canada (IRCC) — Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opened )
- Government of Canada (IRCC) — Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opened )
- Government of Canada (IRCC) — Proof of citizenship online: photo specifications (opened )
- Government of Canada (IRCC) — Proof of citizenship by mail: photo specifications (opened )
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