Photos

What size is a Canada visa photo?

35 mm × 45 mm, with the head framed roughly 31-36 mm chin-to-crown, a neutral expression, and a plain light background. Digital submissions must also meet a minimum pixel size, a photo tool built around this spec crops to it automatically.

Diagram of a Canada visa photo: a 35 by 45 millimetre frame with the head measuring 31 to 36 millimetres from chin to crown, centred on a plain light background, next to four commonly rejected examples.
How the head must sit inside the 35 × 45 mm frame, and the four framing mistakes that cause most rejections.

The full specification

RequirementSpec
Print / crop size35 mm × 45 mm
Head height (chin to crown)≈ 31-36 mm
BackgroundPlain, light-colored, no shadows
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
Digital minimum size≈ 420 × 540 px
RecencyTaken within the last 6 months

Glasses glare, harsh shadows across the face, and a background that isn't plain and light are the most common reasons a photo gets sent back, worth double-checking all three before you submit.

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Drag to fit the 35×45 mm frame and export at the right pixel size.

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Frequently asked questions

What size is a Canada visa photo?

35 mm × 45 mm, with the head framed roughly 31-36 mm chin-to-crown, neutral expression, and a plain light background. Digital submissions must also meet a minimum pixel size.

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