head 69–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Canada study permit photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Even plain background without shadows. Head occupies 69–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 69–80% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Even plain background without shadows. |
| Pose | Full face, no noticeable tilt; face turned towards the lens. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible without strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No harsh shadows or overexposure. |
| Attire | Keep the original clothing and a visible shoulder line. |
| Digital resolution | Minimum 420 × 540 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | min 60 KB |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
For a Canadian study permit IRCC lists, under «Show proof of identity», a valid passport or travel document (you upload the information page when you apply online) and «2 recent passport size photos» — the name and date of birth of the person must be written on the back of each photo, for you and for each family member who comes with you. The format is the one on IRCC's temporary resident photograph specifications page: two identical photographs on quality photographic paper, taken within the last six months, in black-and-white or colour, clear and well defined on a plain white or light-coloured background, not altered if digital, with a frame of at least 35 mm × 45 mm, the full front view of the head with the face in the middle and the top of the shoulders, the head from chin to crown between 31 mm and 36 mm, the face square to the camera, a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and the mouth closed. Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed if the eyes are clearly visible and the frames cover no part of the eyes; sunglasses are not; a head covering only for religious reasons with the full facial features visible.
IRCC warns that if the photographs do not meet the specifications you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed. The study permit page does not repeat the specification and gives no digital-file rule.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Canada study permit applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photographs that do not meet the specifications — new photographs must be provided before the application is processed | Have the photographs taken to IRCC's sheet: at least 35 × 45 mm, head 31–36 mm, plain white or light background. |
| Photographs without the name and date of birth written on the back, or fewer than 2 per person | Write the name and date of birth on the back of each of the 2 photos, for every family member too. |
| Photographs older than six months, not identical, or on poor paper | Take two identical photos within six months, printed on quality photographic paper. |
| Sunglasses or glasses whose frames cover the eyes, a frown or a smile, an open mouth | Neutral expression, mouth closed, non-tinted glasses with the eyes clearly visible, or none. |
How to take it
Background: plain, one colour
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 69–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Glasses only if no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Canadian study permit is applied for online with a copy of the passport information page, and IRCC asks for 2 recent passport-size photos with the name and date of birth on the back.
canada.ca — Study permit: get documents
2 recent passport-size photos, name and date of birth on the back; at least 35 × 45 mm, head 31–36 mm.
Authority page| Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
|---|---|
| Source | Work permit application digital photo specifications: 35 x 45 mm and 31-36 mm head |
| Verified |
Questions
IRCC lists 2 recent passport-size photos with the name and date of birth written on the back of each; the specification is two identical photographs on photographic paper, taken within six months, plain white or light background, at least 35 × 45 mm with the head 31–36 mm from chin to crown, a neutral expression and the mouth closed.
At least 35 mm × 45 mm, with the head from chin to crown between 31 mm and 36 mm and the top of the shoulders included.
Yes: IRCC says the name and date of birth of the person must be written on the back of each photo.
Non-tinted prescription glasses are acceptable if the eyes are clearly visible and the frame does not cover any part of the eyes; sunglasses are not acceptable.
All requirements are in the table above. Format: 35 × 45 mm. Head height: 69–80%. Even plain background without shadows.
Yes. Use a flat, plain wall, natural daylight from a window in front of you, and the rear camera of a phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check.
Eyes must be fully visible without strong reflections. Removing glasses for the photo eliminates the risk of glare causing rejection, especially in automated pre-screening systems.
Most document authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Use a fresh photo even if the rules technically allow older ones — recency reduces the risk of appearance-mismatch rejection.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: work permit.