Canada visitor visa photo requirements

What the photograph should show

The full front view of the head must be visible, with the face in the middle of the photo and the top of the shoulders included. Keep the face square to the camera. Use a neutral expression: do not smile or frown, keep the mouth closed and make sure the eyes are open and clearly visible.

The crown means the top of the head, or the position where the top of the skull would be if hair or a head covering obscures it. This matters when measuring the required 31–36 mm head height.

Background, focus and lighting

Use a plain white or light-coloured background that provides a clear difference from the face and hair. The image must be clear and well defined. Avoid shadows behind the head, glare on the skin or lenses, uneven colour and visible texture.

Canada permits either colour or black-and-white photographs for the published temporary resident visa print specification, but they must be identical and printed on quality photographic paper. A home-office print on ordinary paper does not meet that requirement.

Glasses, head coverings and appearance

• Non-tinted prescription glasses may be worn if the eyes are clearly visible and the frame does not cover any part of them.
• Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• A hairpiece or cosmetic accessory is acceptable only when it does not disguise the normal appearance.
• A religious head covering may be worn if the full facial features remain visible.

If glare or a heavy frame obstructs the eyes, taking the glasses off is the simplest way to avoid a problem.

Do not alter digital photographs

IRCC states that digital photographs must not be altered in any way. Do not use face filters, skin smoothing, reshaping or AI changes. Avoid cutting the person out of a poor image and placing them on a new background when this produces altered hair, clothing edges or lighting that no longer looks natural.

A tool may help crop a suitable image to the correct proportions. It cannot turn an unsuitable or altered source into a compliant identity photograph.

Paper application versus biometrics

Most visitor visa applicants apply online, while paper applications are limited to particular circumstances. The photo step also depends on whether IRCC requires biometric collection. At a biometric appointment, staff collect fingerprints and a photograph. IRCC’s Guide 5256 says applicants who must provide biometrics do not need to include paper photographs with the application.

Do not decide this from a general photo guide alone. Read the document checklist generated for your application, your biometric instruction letter and the Visa Application Centre instructions.

Do not confuse visa and PR photo rules

A Canada visitor visa photo is not the same workflow as a permanent residence or permanent resident card photo. Current online PR applications use different digital pixel ranges and recency rules. Select the exact document type rather than reusing a file prepared for another Canadian application.

You can browse the visa photo directory or the residence and permanent resident photo directory to keep these workflows separate.

Official sources

Check IRCC’s Temporary Resident Visa photograph specifications, Guide 5256 and the personalized checklist for your application. IRCC and the responsible Visa Application Centre make the final decision about the required submission.