What size is the Canada visa photo?

Printed, 35 x 45 mm. The head takes 69% to 80% of the photo's height, from the chin to the top of the head. These are the official rules as checked on 15 November 2026.

Can I wear glasses in my Canada visa photo?

Yes, but only with no tint and no glare, and with your eyes clearly visible.

Can I smile in my Canada visa photo?

Neutral, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed, face square to the camera.

Can I wear a head covering in my Canada visa photo?

Religious reasons only; full facial features not obscured.

How recent must my Canada visa photo be?

Taken in the last 6 months. These are the official rules as checked on 15 November 2026.

Is my photo uploaded?

No. The photo is read and checked in your browser. The page tells our server only that a photo was checked, that it passed, or that a file was saved; never the photo, your face or any measurement. It finds where your face is in the photo; it never recognises who you are.

How is the head measured?

The page finds your chin and eyes in the photo and estimates the top of your head from your forehead, since hair hides it: the dashed line shows the estimate. If it is not at the top of your head, move it with Top of head and the checks follow.

Will my photo be accepted?

Only the issuing authority decides. A photo that passes every check here meets the published size, head and background rules as checked on 15 November 2026; you confirm the rest, such as glasses, expression and how recent the photo is.

What does the Detail check add?

Detail check for your Canada visa photo, €6.99: the Detail check of your own photo against the official rules (opt-in; it never changes your photo), unlimited re-checks and the whole family's photos for this document for 30 days. No file and no print sheet: the rules don't allow us to change this photo. Pay only once your photo passes. Refund if the authority rejects a photo that passed. Paid once, with no subscription. In the Detail check our AI model, run in the EU, checks glasses, expression, shadows and more in the file you chose, if you choose to send it, and never changes it. Without buying you can check any photo here and save the acceptance report, free.

Passport, visa and ID photos · Canada

Canada visa photo: check yours

Check your Canada visa photo against the official rules before you send it. We never change it. Official size: 35 x 45 mm. Background: plain white or light-coloured. Rules read on canada.ca on 15 November 2026.

Choose the photo file you were given
We check it against the official rules, without changing it
If it passes, send that same file

Choose your photo file

Free check. Once it passes, our Detail check, €6.99: unlimited re-checks for 30 days, and we never change your photo. Refund if the authority rejects a photo that passed.

Your photo

Your photo stays on your device: nothing is uploaded, and no face is recognised.

What a passing photo needs

Stand a step in front of a plain light wall, with nothing behind you.
Face a window or soft light: even light on the face, no shadows on it or behind.
Phone at eye level, about 1.5 m away: ask someone, or hold it at arm's length.
Glasses only with no tint and no glare on them.
A neutral face, mouth closed, facing the camera.

Check your photo

Drop your original photo file here, or choose it As the photographer or the camera gave it

The first photo loads the face finder and the background outline from this site, about 15 MB, once.

Guide lines Dashed: top of head. Solid: chin.

Adjust the top-of-head line

Top of head The top of your head is an estimate: move the dashed line to it. This moves the line only; your photo is not changed.

See every measurement

Check	Measured	Result

Before you send it: our Detail check

€6.99

Detail check of your own photo against the official rules: glasses, expression, shadows and more (opt-in: our AI model, run in the EU)
It never changes your photo: you send the same file you checked
Unlimited re-checks and the whole family's photos for this document, for 30 days
Refund if the authority rejects a photo that passed

Choose a photo first.

Pay only once your photo passes: the button turns on once it passes every check. One payment, no subscription. No file and no print sheet: the official rules don't allow us to change this photo. Rejected by the authority after it passed here? Email us the rejection within 30 days and we refund you in full. While you pay, your photo waits in this browser on this device for up to 24 hours: it is never uploaded.

Before you send it, confirm

Only you can see these: we never judge them from the photo.

If I wear glasses, they have no tint and no glare, and my eyes are clearly visible. My expression is as the rules ask (Expression, below). My eyes are open and clearly visible. The light on my face is even, with no shadow on my face or behind me. The photo was taken in the last 6 months.

If your photo passes, send the same file you checked here, unchanged.

Free: every rule your file was checked against, with the official words, made on this device.

The face finder and the background outline run in this page from files served by this site (sources and licences). They find where a face is in the photo; they never recognise who it is.

Meets the published spec as checked on 15 November 2026. WinPhoto is not affiliated with any government.

This page only checks your photo: it never crops, edits or re-saves it.

Canada asks for visitor visa photos printed on quality photographic paper and says a digital photo must not be altered in any way. So this page checks your photo as it is and never changes it. The visitor visa guide says that if you are required to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), you do not have to include paper photos with your application.

The rules at a glance

For the Canada Temporary Resident (visitor) Visa application photo (IRCC), as the official rules state them.

Size: 35 x 45 mm
Background: Plain white or light-coloured.
Head size: 69% to 80% of the photo's height, chin to top of head
Glasses: Allowed only with no tint and no glare, your eyes clearly visible
Expression: A neutral face, mouth closed, facing the camera.
Taken: In the last 6 months
Edits: None: this page only checks your photo, it never changes it. The official rules say: “If the photographs are digital, they must not be altered in any way.”

All the official rules and sources

Printed size: 35 mm wide, 45 mm tall (at least 35 mm x 45 mm)
This page: Checks your photo as it is; it makes no file
Head height: 69% to 80% of the photo's height, from the chin to the top of the head
Background: plain white or light-coloured
Glasses: Allowed only with no tint and no glare, your eyes clearly visible
Expression: neutral, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed, face square to the camera
Head covering: religious reasons only; full facial features not obscured
Taken: In the last 6 months
Colour: Colour or black and white

two identical photos printed on quality photographic paper
full front view of head, face centred, top of shoulders included
crown = top of head/skull, measured where it would be if hidden by hair or head covering (hair excluded)
digital photos must not be altered in any way
non-tinted prescription glasses only; frames must not cover any part of the eyes; no sunglasses
hairpiece or cosmetic accessory OK if it does not disguise normal appearance

For: Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) paper application photos.

Official source: www.canada.ca, checked on 15 November 2026.

Provide two photographs of yourself with your application.

Photographs must be printed on quality photographic paper.

The photographs must be identical and taken within the last six months. They may be either black and white or colour.

The photographs must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.

If the photographs are digital, they must not be altered in any way.

Your face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and with your mouth closed.

You may wear non-tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.

If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are not obscured.

The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″).

The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders.

The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).

Crown means the top of the head or (if obscured by hair or a head covering) where the top of the head or skull would be if it could be seen.

Official source: www.canada.ca, checked on 15 November 2026.

The physical dimensions in pixels must be at least 420 x 540.

The final size of the image should ideally be 240 kB (kilobytes), but not less than 60 kB.

Official source: www.canada.ca, checked on 15 November 2026.

Provide two photos meeting the requirement of the Visa application photograph specifications. On the back of two photos, write your name and date of birth.

Note: if you are required to provide biometric fingerprints and photo, you are not required to include paper photos with your application.

Meets the published spec as checked on 15 November 2026. WinPhoto is not affiliated with any government. Rules change: check the official page before you apply.

How to use it

Use the original photo file, as the photographer or the camera gave it.
Choose it here. The page finds your face and checks the photo without changing it.
Move Top of head if the dashed line is not at the top of your head.
Fix what the page lists, and tick what only you can confirm.
If it passes, send that same file, unchanged.

Questions

What size is the Canada visa photo?: Printed, 35 x 45 mm. The head takes 69% to 80% of the photo's height, from the chin to the top of the head. These are the official rules as checked on 15 November 2026.
What background does the Canada visa photo need?: Plain white or light-coloured.
Can I wear glasses in my Canada visa photo?: Yes, but only with no tint and no glare, and with your eyes clearly visible.
Can I smile in my Canada visa photo?: Neutral, neither frowning nor smiling, mouth closed, face square to the camera.
Can I wear a head covering in my Canada visa photo?: Religious reasons only; full facial features not obscured.
How recent must my Canada visa photo be?: Taken in the last 6 months. These are the official rules as checked on 15 November 2026.
Is my photo uploaded?: No. The photo is read and checked in your browser. The page tells our server only that a photo was checked, that it passed, or that a file was saved; never the photo, your face or any measurement. It finds where your face is in the photo; it never recognises who you are.
How is the head measured?: The page finds your chin and eyes in the photo and estimates the top of your head from your forehead, since hair hides it: the dashed line shows the estimate. If it is not at the top of your head, move it with Top of head and the checks follow.
Will my photo be accepted?: Only the issuing authority decides. A photo that passes every check here meets the published size, head and background rules as checked on 15 November 2026; you confirm the rest, such as glasses, expression and how recent the photo is.
Why can't I save a new file here?: This page only checks your photo: it never crops, edits or re-saves it. Canada asks for visitor visa photos printed on quality photographic paper and says a digital photo must not be altered in any way. So this page checks your photo as it is and never changes it. The visitor visa guide says that if you are required to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), you do not have to include paper photos with your application.
What does the Detail check add?: Detail check for your Canada visa photo, €6.99: the Detail check of your own photo against the official rules (opt-in; it never changes your photo), unlimited re-checks and the whole family's photos for this document for 30 days. No file and no print sheet: the rules don't allow us to change this photo. Pay only once your photo passes. Refund if the authority rejects a photo that passed. Paid once, with no subscription. In the Detail check our AI model, run in the EU, checks glasses, expression, shadows and more in the file you chose, if you choose to send it, and never changes it. Without buying you can check any photo here and save the acceptance report, free.