Canada Citizenship Photo Requirements: 50 × 70 mm From a Studio, At Least 420 × 540 Pixels Online
Go to a commercial photographer or studio. Online, upload the studio's digital file as it is, saved straight from the camera with no changes; if the studio cannot give you a file, you may scan or photograph its printed photo. By mail, send 2 identical colour prints, professionally printed, with your name, the studio's name and full address, and the date the photo was taken written on the back. Source: canada.ca, checked 5 Oct 2026.
Canada Citizenship photo rules at a glance
The Canada Citizenship photo must come from a commercial photographer or studio, and the file must not be changed.
Who makes the photo
The photo must come from a commercial photographer or studio, and the file must not be changed.
Size (official rule)
Online: at least 420 × 540 pixels, from a 50 × 70 mm studio photo
In other units (a conversion)
50 × 70 mm · 5 × 7 cm · 1.97 × 2.76 in · 591 × 827 px at 300 DPI · 1181 × 1654 px at 600 DPI · ratio 5:7
File size
Up to 4 MB
Background
Plain white or light-coloured
Head size
44% to 51% of the photo height, chin to top of head
No. Go to a commercial photographer or studio. Online, upload the studio's digital file as it is, saved straight from the camera with no changes; if the studio cannot give you a file, you may scan or photograph its printed photo. By mail, send 2 identical colour prints, professionally printed, with your name, the studio's name and full address, and the date the photo was taken written on the back.
What is the Canada Citizenship photo size in cm, inches and pixels?
The Canada Citizenship photo must come from a commercial photographer or studio, and the file must not be changed. The official size rule: Online: at least 420 × 540 pixels, from a 50 × 70 mm studio photo. 50 × 70 mm is 5 × 7 cm or 1.97 × 2.76 inches, in a 5:7 shape. Printed at 300 DPI it is 591 × 827 pixels, and at 600 DPI 1181 × 1654 pixels. These are conversions of the official size, not extra rules.
What are the Canada Citizenship photo rules?
50 × 70 mm, background: plain white or light-coloured, head 44% to 51% of the photo height. Online: 1 colour (preferred) or black-and-white digital photo, about 240 KB and no more than 4 MB. By mail: 2 identical colour prints on plain, high-quality photo paper. 50 mm wide × 70 mm high, face 31–36 mm from chin to crown. Taken within 6 months. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, face and shoulders centred and square to the camera. Glasses OK if your eyes are clearly visible with no glare; no sunglasses or tinted lenses. Not altered in any way.
Can I wear glasses in my Canada Citizenship photo?
The official rules say: Glasses OK if your eyes are clearly visible with no glare; no sunglasses or tinted lenses.