CanadaCanada Citizenship Application Photo Requirements: 50 x 70 mm, 31–36 mm Face and the Digital File Limits
IRCC wants one colour digital photo, 50 x 70 mm, face 31–36 mm, under 6 months old, JPG of 420 x 540 px or more and up to 4 MB.
In this article · 5 sections
Key points
5 points- For a citizenship grant, IRCC prefers 1 colour digital photo (1 black-and-white digital photo is also accepted).
- Frame is 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 by 2 3/4 inches); the face measures between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown.
- The photo must be taken no more than 6 months before you submit the application.
- Digital file: JPG or JPEG with minimal compression, at least 420 by 540 pixels, approximately 240 kB but no more than 4 MB.
- Plain white or light-coloured background, eyes open, mouth closed with no smiling or frowning; glasses only if the eyes are clearly visible.
Applying for Canadian citizenship online means uploading a photo that must match IRCC’s specifications exactly. The frame is the tall 50 x 70 mm format, not the square-ish 35 x 45 mm that many people have in a drawer. Here is what the IRCC page “Citizenship grant online: photo specifications” says.
The numbers
| Requirement | IRCC citizenship grant |
|---|---|
| Number and type | 1 colour digital photo (preferred) or 1 digital black-and-white photo |
| Frame | 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 inches x 2 3/4 inches) |
| Face height | 31 mm to 36 mm, chin to crown of head |
| Age | No more than 6 months before you submit |
| File format | JPG or JPEG, minimal compression |
| Pixels | At least 420 by 540 |
| File size | Approximately 240 kB, no more than 4 MB |
CanadaGrant of Citizenship · requirements
The face band is a narrow one: 31 to 36 mm out of a 70 mm frame is about 44 to 51 percent of the height, much less than the 70–80 percent of European biometric photos. A crop that is correct for a Schengen visa will therefore be rejected here.
Face, expression and glasses
- A plain white or light-coloured background.
- Eyes must be open and clearly visible; the mouth closed, with no smiling or frowning.
- Glasses are accepted only when the eyes are clearly visible; the frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are rejected.
- Hats and head coverings only if worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, and the full face must be clearly visible.
Common mistakes
- Wrong crop. A 35 x 45 mm passport crop, or a head that fills the frame, falls outside the 31–36 mm face band.
- File too small. Anything under 420 x 540 pixels is rejected; screenshots of a printed photo are usually too small.
- Over-compressed JPG. IRCC asks for minimal compression, so avoid re-saving a messenger copy several times.
- A smile. Neutral mouth, closed.
- Photo older than six months by the time you press submit.
Our Canada citizenship photo tool sets up the 50 x 70 mm frame and the 31–36 mm face height for you.
04Questions
5 answers01What size is the photo for a Canadian citizenship application?
50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 by 2 3/4 inches), with the face measuring 31 mm to 36 mm from chin to crown.
02What file format and size does IRCC accept?
JPG or JPEG with minimal compression, at least 420 by 540 pixels, approximately 240 kB and no more than 4 MB.
03How recent must the photo be?
Taken no more than 6 months before you submit your application.
04Can I wear glasses in the photo?
Only if your eyes are clearly visible: the frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no glare. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are rejected.
05Is a black-and-white photo allowed?
IRCC prefers 1 colour digital photo but also accepts 1 digital black-and-white photo.
05Official sources
Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .
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Make the photo for this document
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