Canada Visa Photo — at home in 60 seconds
Canada Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) / IRCC temporary residence applications
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (35×45 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
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.
Quick answer
A Canada Visa Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) when printed, or a digital file of 420 × 540 px (60 KB – 4 MB, JPEG/JPEG2000), 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. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Digital file
- 420 × 540 px · 60 KB – 4 MB · JPEG, JPEG2000
Verified October 3, 2026 from canada.ca (IRCC).
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Digital file
- 420 × 540 px · 60 KB – 4 MB · JPEG, JPEG2000
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 31–36 mm (68.9–80 % of the photo height)
- Background
- White, light-coloured. Plain white or light-coloured; no shadow in background, no disturbed/busy background.
- Expression
- Neutral, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed; face square to camera; full front view of head with face in middle of photo, top of shoulders included.
- Glasses
- Non-tinted prescription glasses OK if eyes clearly visible and frame does not cover any part of the eyes; no sunglasses; no reflection on glasses.
- Head covering
- Religious reasons only, full facial features not obscured.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Online application
- IRCC secure account / IRCC Portal (visitor visa, study & work permits, IEC)
More rules (7)
- frame size AT LEAST 35 x 45 mm
- 2 identical photos for paper applications; may be black and white or colour
- printed on quality photographic paper
- paper guide 5256: write name and date of birth on back of two photos
- digital photos must not be altered in any way
- no hands in picture, no hair covering face, no unnatural colour/washed out/under- or over-lit
- digital (IRCC online, per IEC page): JPEG or JPEG2000, colour 24-bit RGB, ideally ~240 kB but not less than 60 kB, at least 420x540 px; scans of prints need min 600 ppi
Print at home or at a kiosk
Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
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.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- 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.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Temporary Resident Visa application photograph specifications — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Visa application photograph specifications (PDF) — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Guide 5256 - Applying for a visitor visa (paper) — canada.ca (IRCC)
- International Experience Canada: Submit your work permit application — canada.ca (IRCC)
- Is there a file size limit for documents I upload to my account? — IRCC Help Centre
Questions
What size is a Canada Visa Photo?
Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital: 420 × 540 px · 60 KB – 4 MB · JPEG, JPEG2000.
Can I take my Canada Visa Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
White, light-coloured. Plain white or light-coloured; no shadow in background, no disturbed/busy background.
Can I smile?
Neutral, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed; face square to camera; full front view of head with face in middle of photo, top of shoulders included.
Can I wear glasses?
Non-tinted prescription glasses OK if eyes clearly visible and frame does not cover any part of the eyes; no sunglasses; no reflection on glasses.
Can I wear a head covering?
Religious reasons only, full facial features not obscured.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
Can I print the photo at home?
Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.
More Canada documents
Other documents that use 35×45 mm
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.