Canada visa photo
IRCC publishes 35 by 45 mm as a minimum rather than a fixed size, which is unusual and easy to misread. The head measurement is the part that must land exactly.
Start now · €4.99 Refund if the office rejects it
Specification
Minimum size35 x 45 mm
Head height31 to 36 mm, chin to crown
Digital minimum420 x 540 px
File sizeAbout 240 kB to 4 MB
FormatJPEG or JPEG2000
ViewFull front view
Requirements
- At least 35 mm wide and 45 mm high
- Head 31 to 36 mm measured chin to crown
- Full front view, facing the camera squarely
- Digital file at least 420 by 540 pixels
- JPEG or JPEG2000 between roughly 240 kB and 4 MB
- Taken within the last 6 months
What gets photos rejected
- Reading the size as a maximum, when IRCC states a minimum
- Head outside the 31 to 36 mm band
- A file under 240 kB, which IRCC treats as too low quality
- A three quarter angle instead of a full front view
Questions
What size is a Canada visa photo?
At least 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. IRCC gives this as a minimum frame rather than a fixed dimension, with the head measuring 31 to 36 mm chin to crown.
What digital file does IRCC accept?
JPEG or JPEG2000, at least 420 by 540 pixels, roughly 240 kB to 4 MB.
Can I use a US photo for a Canadian application?
No. The US uses a 51 by 51 mm square and Canada expects a rectangle of at least 35 by 45 mm.