Everything you need to know about Canada citizenship and naturalization photo requirements, including exact dimensions, face height specifications, background color, and key differences from passport photos.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Document Type | Citizenship / Naturalization |
| Photo Size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Pixel Size (at 600 DPI) | 1181 × 1654 pixels |
| Face Height | 25–35 mm from chin to crown |
| Background Color | Plain white |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Color | Color or black and white |
| Quantity Required | 2 identical photographs |
| Guarantor Signature | Not required — photographer stamp required on back |
| Recency | Taken within the last 12 months |
Canada citizenship (naturalization) photos must meet specific requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Many applicants mistakenly use passport photos for their citizenship application. Here are the critical differences:
| Specification | Citizenship Photo | Passport Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Face Height | 25–35 mm | 31–36 mm |
| Color | Color or B&W | Color only |
| Recency | 12 months | 6 months |
| Back of Photo | Photographer stamp + applicant name | Guarantor signature |
The back of each citizenship photo must include:
Glasses are NOT allowed in Canadian citizenship photos. Remove all glasses before taking the photo, even if you wear them daily.
Source: Government of Canada — Citizenship Application Photograph Specifications
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Canada citizenship photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera is more than capable of taking a citizenship-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes.
Stand about 1.5 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling — a straight, neutral expression is required.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable citizenship photos
We also provide detailed photo requirement guides for other Canadian documents:
A Canada citizenship photo must be 50×70mm (2×2¾ inches). The face must measure 25–35mm from chin to crown of head. You need 2 identical photos printed on quality photo paper.
While both are 50×70mm, citizenship photos have several key differences: face height is 25–35mm (vs 31–36mm for passport), black and white photos are accepted (passport requires color), the recency period is 12 months (vs 6 months), and the back requires a photographer stamp and applicant name instead of a guarantor signature.
Yes. Canada citizenship photos may be either color or black and white. Both are accepted. This is different from passport photos, which must be in color only.
The back of each photo must have the photographer's stamp (name and complete address of the studio) and the applicant's full name written clearly. This is different from passport photos which require a guarantor signature.
Yes! Simply upload your photo to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Canada citizenship photo requirements.
Your citizenship photo must have been taken within the last 12 months. This is different from passport photos, which must be within 6 months.
If your citizenship photo doesn't meet the requirements, your citizenship application will be delayed. Using PassportPhoto.help ensures your photo meets all official requirements before you submit.
