Canadian Passport Photo Requirements: Exact Specs + Same-Day Photos in Mississauga

Quick answer: Canadian passport photo requirements state that a photo must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (about 2 x 2.75 inches), printed as two identical copies on plain white or light-coloured background, and taken within the last six months. The face, measured from chin to crown of the head, must be between 31 mm and 36 mm. These are federal specifications set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and they are stricter than the square US passport size — which is exactly why so many DIY and out-of-country photos get rejected. At Supreme Pictures on Tomken Road in Mississauga, we take and print compliant Canadian passport photos the same day, usually in a few minutes.

If your application photo is even slightly off, the whole package can be returned, adding weeks to your processing time. Below are the exact 2026 requirements, the mistakes that get photos bounced, and how to get it done right on the first try if you are anywhere in Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke, Oakville or the wider GTA.

What size do Canadian passport photo requirements specify?

The required size is 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (5 cm x 7 cm). This is not the same as the 2 x 2 inch square used for US passports and many other countries, and it is a common reason people who print abroad or use a US-style photo booth get their applications sent back.

Within that 50 x 70 mm frame, IRCC also specifies the face measurement: the distance from the chin to the crown of the head must be between 31 mm and 36 mm. Your head needs to be centred and squared to the camera, not tilted or turned. Getting both the outer dimensions and the face measurement correct at once is where a purpose-built passport camera and printer matter — a phone photo cropped at home rarely lands inside that narrow band.

Other technical specs to know

• Background: plain white or light-coloured, with no shadows, textures or objects behind you.
• Expression: neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, looking straight at the camera.
• Lighting: even, with no reflections, red-eye or shadows across the face or background.
• Finish: printed on high-quality photo paper; the two prints must be identical.
• Photographer stamp: the back of one photo must show the name and address of the studio and the date the photo was taken. A professional studio handles this for you automatically.

You can review the full technical checklist on the Government of Canada official passport photo requirements page, which is the authoritative source we follow for every print.

How many passport photos do I need for an application?

You need two (2) identical passport photos for a standard adult or child Canadian passport application. One photo is stamped and signed on the back by your guarantor or references section as required, and both are submitted with your form. Because both must match exactly, they should be printed together from the same shot — another reason a same-day studio print is safer than piecing together copies from a phone.

Applying for other documents at the same time? Permanent resident cards, citizenship applications and some visas have their own photo rules and quantities. When you come in, tell us what you are applying for and we will print the correct size and count for each.

Can I wear glasses or a head covering in a Canadian passport photo?

Glasses are not allowed in Canadian passport photos. As of the current IRCC rules, you must remove your eyeglasses entirely — even if you wear them every day — so there are no frames, glare or reflections obscuring your eyes.

Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons. If you wear a hijab, turban, kippah or similar covering, you may keep it on, but your full face must still be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and the covering cannot cast shadows on your face. Hats and non-religious head wear are not permitted. Our photographers are used to positioning head coverings so the photo stays compliant and comfortable.

How recent does my passport photo have to be?

Your photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance. IRCC can reject a photo that looks older than six months or that no longer resembles you — for example after a major change in facial hair or hairstyle. This is why reusing a leftover photo from a previous application is risky. A fresh, dated, studio-stamped print removes all doubt, and the date printed on the back is your proof.

Where can I get a passport photo taken same day near Mississauga?

Supreme Pictures is located at 7025 Tomken Rd, Unit 4, Mississauga, and we take and print compliant Canadian passport photos and photo printing on the spot — no appointment needed. Most customers are in and out in a few minutes with two guaranteed-to-spec prints in hand.

We are easy to reach from across the region. If you are coming from Brampton, we are a short drive south on Highway 410 — Supreme is physically in Mississauga but serves Brampton daily, so there is no need to hunt for something closer to home. We also see walk-ins from Etobicoke, Oakville and throughout the GTA. Getting new headshots or portraits at the same time? Ask about our professional headshot and portrait photography while you are here.

Doing your photo right the first time matters more than ever in 2026. The Government of Canada now backs a 30-days-or-free passport processing guarantee, and standard passport processing service standards run to 10 or 20 business days depending on how you apply — but a rejected photo restarts that clock. A compliant photo is the cheapest insurance against a delayed passport.

Common reasons photos fail Canadian passport photo requirements

• Using the US 2 x 2 inch square size instead of 50 x 70 mm.
• Smiling, or mouth slightly open, instead of a neutral expression.
• Wearing glasses, or glare and reflections on the face.
• Shadows on the face or behind the head from poor lighting.
• Background that is off-white, textured or has visible objects.
• Face measurement outside the 31–36 mm chin-to-crown range.
• Photo older than six months, or no photographer stamp and date on the back.

One last tip: the Canadian passport photo requirements are strict, but meeting them is easy when a professional handles the sizing and lighting. If a photo is rejected, it is almost always because the Canadian passport photo requirements for dimensions, background or expression were missed — all things we check before you leave the studio.