Everything you need to know about Canada Permanent Resident card photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, digital photo specs for online submission, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Document Type | Permanent Resident (PR) Card |
| Photo Size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Pixel Size (at 600 DPI) | 1181 × 1654 pixels |
| Face Height | 31–36 mm (1¼–1⅞ inches) from chin to crown |
| Background Color | Plain white (no texture) |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Application | 715×1000 to 2000×2800 pixels, max 4 MB, JPEG |
| Color | Color only |
| Quantity Required | 2 identical photographs |
| Guarantor Signature | Not required |
| Recency | Taken within the last 12 months (1 year) |
Canada Permanent Resident (PR) card photos must meet specific requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
While PR card photos share the same 50×70mm size as Canadian passport photos, there are important differences:
If you are submitting your PR card application online, your digital photo must meet these specifications:
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Canada PR card photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera is more than capable of taking a PR card-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 PR card photos
We also provide detailed photo requirement guides for other Canadian documents:
A Canada PR card photo must be 50×70mm (2×2¾ inches). The face must measure 31–36mm (1¼–1⅞ inches) from chin to crown of head. You need 2 identical photos printed on quality photo paper.
While both are 50×70mm, PR card photos have different requirements: no guarantor signature is needed, photos can be up to 12 months old (vs 6 months for passport), and the back of each photo must include your name, date of birth, date taken, and studio information.
For online applications, the digital photo must be between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels, in JPEG format, and no larger than 4MB. The background must be plain white with no texture. You can upload your photo to PassportPhoto.help and we will automatically format it to meet these requirements.
The back of each printed photo must include: the applicant's full name, date of birth, date the photo was taken, and the name and complete address of the photo studio or photographer.
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 PR card photo requirements.
Your PR card photo must have been taken within the last 12 months (1 year). This is different from passport photos, which must be within 6 months.
If your PR card photo doesn't meet the requirements, your application will be delayed or returned. Using PassportPhoto.help ensures your photo meets all official requirements before you submit.
