How many photos you need
Online application: 1 colour digital photo (preferred) or 1 black-and-white digital photo.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
Paper (mail) application: 2 identical colour printed photos.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Canadian citizenship for adults: Forms and documents to apply on paper (opens in a new tab)
For an online application, if the photographer can't give you a digital file, you can scan or take a picture of a printed photo from them. But canada.ca says it is safer to use a digital photo straight from the photographer.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
IRCC will return your application if your photos don't meet the specifications. The rules on this page are for becoming a Canadian citizen (a citizenship grant). Other citizenship applications, such as a citizenship certificate, have their own photo specification pages on canada.ca.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
Go to a commercial photographer or studio to have your photo taken, and give them the specifications.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
Photo size
- The photo is 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches long).Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Your face measures between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from your chin to the crown of your head (the natural top of your head).
Background, expression and appearance
- A plain white or light-coloured background.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- A neutral facial expression: eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning.
- Your current appearance: the photo must be taken no more than 6 months before you submit your application.
- Your face and shoulders straight-on to the camera, centred and squared.
- Hair can be down or up.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
Image quality: no edits
The photo must be clear, sharp and in focus. It needs uniform lighting with no shadows, glare or flash reflections, a clear difference between your face and the background, and natural skin tones. Shadows around your ears, in the background, or across your face or shoulders are not accepted.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
It must be an original photo that is not altered in any way. canada.ca counts all of these as altering a photo:Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Adjusting colour, brightness, contrast or sharpness.
- Cropping around your head and shoulders, including cutting and pasting you onto a white background.
- Editing your face (for example, the size or shape of your eyes, nose, mouth or ears), or removing glare, red-eye, wrinkles, blemishes or birthmarks, or changing your hair colour.
- Editing your clothing (including its colours) or the background (including removing shadows).
Glasses, head coverings and medical needs
- Glasses are accepted if your eyes are clearly visible, the frames don't cover your eyes, and there is no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not accepted, even prescription lenses.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Hats and head coverings worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons are accepted if your full face is clearly visible and the head covering doesn't create shadows on your face. Other hats and head coverings are not accepted.
- A wheelchair is accepted if you place a white blanket behind your head, so both your facial features and the edges of your face are clearly shown.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- If you wear medical headwear or a nasal cannula for medical reasons, your eyes must be clearly visible and you must include a signed letter of explanation in your application. IRCC may ask for a letter from your doctor.
- Red-eye, and red-eye edits, are not accepted.
Digital files and printed photos
Digital photo (online application): JPG or JPEG file with minimal compression, saved directly from the camera without any changes to the original file, at least 420 by 540 pixels, and about 240 kB in size but no more than 4 MB.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
Printed photos (paper application): professionally printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper. The back of each photo must include your (or the child's) first and last name, the name and complete address of the photographer or studio, and the date the photo was taken.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
This page is general information. Before you get your photos taken, open the official specification page for your type of application, and contact IRCC or a licensed representative if you're unsure about your own situation.
Common questions
- What size is a Canadian citizenship photo?
- 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches by 2 3/4 inches). Your face, from chin to the top of your head, must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Can I use a passport photo for my citizenship application?
- canada.ca says citizenship photos do not use the same specifications as passport photos. Make sure your photo follows the citizenship photo specifications, or IRCC will return your application.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- What colour background does a citizenship photo need?
- A plain white or light-coloured background, with a clear difference between your face and the background and no shadows.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Can I smile in my citizenship photo?
- No. You must have a neutral expression: eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, with no smiling or frowning.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- Can I wear a hijab, turban or other religious head covering?
- Yes, if you wear it daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, your full face is clearly visible, and it doesn't create shadows on your face.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)
- How old can my citizenship photo be?
- It must be taken no more than 6 months before you submit your application.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant online: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications (opens in a new tab)