Canada Citizenship Photo: professional photo required
Canadian Citizenship (grant / proof of citizenship certificate)
This document needs a photo from a professional photographer or an approved booth, so a home photo is not accepted. That is why we do not offer one.
The authority asks for a professional photo, so you make it at your own risk, without the refund guarantee.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Why: Canada requires a photo taken by a commercial photographer for this document.
Quick answer
A Canada Citizenship Photo must be 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) when printed, or a digital file of 420 × 540 px (up to 4 MB, JPEG), with the head 31–36 mm from chin to top of head, on a white or light-coloured background, taken within the last 6 months. Canada requires a photo taken by a commercial photographer for this document.
- Printed photo
- 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in)
- Digital file
- 420 × 540 px · up to 4 MB · JPEG
Verified October 3, 2026 from canada.ca (IRCC).
Need a photo for a visa instead?
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in)
- Digital file
- 420 × 540 px · up to 4 MB · JPEG
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 31–36 mm (44.3–51.4 % of the photo height)
- Background
- White, light-coloured. Plain white or light-coloured.
- Expression
- Neutral, eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning.
- Glasses
- Allowed if eyes clearly visible and no glare; no sunglasses or tinted glasses.
- Head covering
- Worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons; full face clearly visible, no shadows on face.
- Babies and children
- Head and shoulders only, no hands visible; newborns may be in a car seat with white blanket behind head; some range of infant expression allowed.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Online application
- Citizenship grant online and proof of citizenship online.
More rules (4)
- must be taken by a commercial photographer or studio
- paper (grant and proof): 2 identical colour printed photos
- back of photo: first and last name, photographer/studio name and complete address, date taken
- digital: JPG/JPEG, minimal compression, saved directly from camera without changes, at least 420x540 px, approx. 240 kB, max 4 MB
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
- A real company you can reach QMETER L.L.C-FZ, Dubai. Questions? Write to support@ovalight.com.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Citizenship application photo specifications (overview) — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Citizenship grant online: photo specifications — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Citizenship grant by mail: photo specifications — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Proof of citizenship online: photo specifications — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Proof of citizenship by mail: photo specifications — canada.ca (IRCC)
Questions
What size is a Canada Citizenship Photo?
Printed: 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in). Digital: 420 × 540 px · up to 4 MB · JPEG.
Can I take my Canada Citizenship Photo at home?
No. Canada requires a photo taken by a commercial photographer for this document.
What background is required?
White, light-coloured. Plain white or light-coloured.
Can I smile?
Neutral, eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning.
Can I wear glasses?
Allowed if eyes clearly visible and no glare; no sunglasses or tinted glasses.
Can I wear a head covering?
Worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons; full face clearly visible, no shadows on face.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
What about babies and children?
Head and shoulders only, no hands visible; newborns may be in a car seat with white blanket behind head; some range of infant expression allowed.
More Canada documents
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.