Permanent Resident Card Photo
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PR Card Photo Size & Requirements
Height: 70 mm
- Head height: 35 mm
- Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 39 mm
How to make a photo?
PR Card Photo Guidelines
Do you know what you must submit when you apply for a permanent resident card in Canada? You need to prepare some demanded documents and a photo. Follow our guide to know what is the exact PR photo specification. Know a special Permanent Resident photo tool which will help you to prepare your photograph in an easy and quick way. You will also save money because your PR card photo will cost you just a fraction of the usual price!
PR card photo
To apply for your Permanent Resident card you are required to attach a picture of yourself taken during the last 6 months. If you are renewing your permanent residence in Canada, you also must submit a photo which shows your current look. In each case you should include two identical pictures - not submit two different photos, it will cause a rejection of your application. If you do not want to have your PR card photo rejected, before sending your form and copies of documents, verify if your PR photo is correct.
PR card photo specifications
There are some basic rules about PR photo size, compositional details and technical specifications. Get familiar with them and check a special online photo tool to resize, crop and adjust your Canada PR card photo.
Remember that only original photos that are not altered in any way or cut down from an existing photo will be accepted. You may attach a photo in color or black and white. Image must be clear, sharp and in focus and papier must not be damaged or bended.
PR card photo size
Required PR photo size is
in millimetres:
- 50 mm wide x 70 mm long.
in inches:
- 2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long.
Head measured from the top of the head to the chin must have between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches).
Permanent resident card photo requirements
There are some compositional rules you need to know:
- your face must be positioned in the central spot of the photograph
- image must be a close-up taken en-face (show the front view of the candidate's head and shoulders)
- you should not smile, natural facial expression is recommended
- your eyes must be open and mouths closed
- the light must be evenly distributed on your face
- no shadows and glares on the surface of the face are accepted
- you must look straightly at the camera
Colors in photo for Permanent Resident card
You may attach a color or black and white photo - it is up to you. Background must be white, plain and clear. No patterns or shadows allowed. If you have some trouble with obtaining a clear, white background, just use an online photo editor and remove the unsuitable background from your image. This photo tool will automatically change background on the recommended color. Do not take a picture in white clothes because a photograph must show a clear difference between the person’s face and the background. Photographs must represent natural skin and eyes colors. If you have a “red eye” effect in your picture, do not retouche it. Just take another photo without a flash lamp.
Other Canadian PR card photo requirements
- Your eyes must be clearly visible, so if you wear eyeglasses, there must be no glare in the glasses.
- Sunglasses and tinted eye glasses are not allowed.
- “Red eyes” are unacceptable but neither is using computer software to retouch it.
- You can have a head covering in your photo only if it is worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons. However, your full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not obscure your face.
- Shadows are not acceptable. Lighting must be uniform on the face and background.
You can wear your business or casual clothes and have a hairstyle you like. A beard is optional. Jewellery is not forbidden in the PR photo but it is better to take it off and it may obscure or cover your face (especially massive earrings obscuring your face oval).
Photo for PR card - medical considerations
Wheelchairs:
If you are in a wheelchair, you can place a white blanket behind your head because in the picture no other objects must be visible. But a much better idea is to go to take a photo with a backrest visible behind you and then just remove a wrong background thanks to a photo service online. Save your time and energy - we will put the perfect background for you!
Headwear or nasal cannula:
You can wear headwear for medical purposes or a nasal cannula in your permanent resident photo – as long as your eyes remain clearly visible. You need just submit a letter from your doctor explaining the situation.
Children and babies in Permanent Resident photos
Child photos must follow the same rules as for adults candidates. For newborns, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a baby carrier. As in the case with a wheelchair you may use a white blanket and put it behind the baby's head but an easier and quicker way is use our photo background adjusting tool. Remember that the photo must show only the child's head and shoulders - it can be difficult to hold a small baby in a vertical position and your hands or torso may be seen. The tool which automatically removes the wrong background could be a precious help when you are a parent of a newborn.
Please keep in mind that your application will be rejected if your photos do not satisfy these specifications. Use a PR card photo tool, check its correctness and enjoy the warranty of acceptance! All pictures prepared with us have the guarantee of being approved by the migration services!
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is Canadian PR photo size?
The photo size is 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long).
❓ Is the PR photo card size the same as passport photo size?
Yes, a standard Canadian passport size photo is also 50 x 70 mm, so you may use your photo for the passport application within the next six months.
❓ Can I smile in my Canada PR photo?
No. A natural facial expression is required.
❓ What are requirements for a PR card renewal photo?
Those requirements are exactly the same as for you your first PR card photo. Remember: if you are applying to renew a PR card, attach a new photo and a photocopy of your previous card with your application.
❓ What to do if my PR card is lost or stolen?
If your PR card was lost, stolen or completely destroyed, complete an adequate declaration and send it to the Card Processing Center.
❓ What if I have not received my PR card?
If you didn’t receive it within 180 days of immigrating to Canada, contact the Card Processing Center.
❓ Can the photo for the PR card be black and white?
Yes. Your Canadian PR card photo may be in color or black & white, as you like it.
❓ Where can I find a PR photo studio near me?
You may check it in your neighborhood but this is not necessary as you can take your Permanent Residence photo wherever you want with your smartphone and adjust the picture to requirements with a special online photo tool.
❓ Can I take a selfie as photo PR?
Not really as the proper head position and photograph’s angle is required. We recommend you to ask somebody else for a hand or use a tripod.
About the document
Permanent Resident Card - what is this?
Canadian Permanent Resident Card or Carte de Résident Permanent (in French) is an identification and travel document for not-Canadian citizens who are allowed to live and stay in the country. With a PR card permanent residents can prove their status during identity or immigration controls. This document allows its holder to return to Canada by a commercial carrier. Permanent residency in Canada is a status granting a foreigner wanting to live in this country the right to live and work without limits on the residency stay.
Eligibility
The PR Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. Remember than it is not automatically granted. There is an eligibility specification for permanent residency in Canada.
To be eligible for a PR Card, you must:
- not have a Canadian passport (not be citizen)
- live in Canada
- meet the residency requirements
- not be under an effective removal order by immigration services
- not be a convicted felon of an offense related to the misuse of a PR Card
Who does need a PR card?
There are some groups of people with citizenship other than Canadian who need a PR card to stay in Canada for a long period:
- permanent residents and their families,
- permanent workers and residents who want to leave and come back to Canada,
- persons planning to return to Canada by any commercial transporter, such as a plane, train, boat or bus.
Remember: you must carry your PR Card with you, otherwise you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
It is your responsibility to make sure your PR Card is valid at the moment of crossing Canadian border, especially when you return from travel outside Canada. It is also your duty to apply for a new PR Card before your current card expires.
PR card validity
Generally speaking, the Permanent Resident Card is valid for five years. However, it may be valid for one year and it is your responsibility to check it before applying.
The residency obligation is a minimum 730 days during every five years. That means that a cardholder must stay in Canada this period for not to lose the residency. If you lose your permanent residence during those 5 years because of travelling, you may have problems renewing your PR card. Be aware that if a Canada Borders Service Agency officer at the border considers that you do not meet the residence obligation, you will be reported to immigration authorities.In such a case you will be required to attend a hearing to determine your PR status.
A PR card's expiration date indicates a day when your PR card must be replaced. It has nothing to do with the end of your resident status. Just apply for a new card before an expiration date and confirm you still want to live in Canada.
Required PR card documents
For sure you want to know what documents do you gather before applying for a PR card. There are a photocopy of one of the following:
- your valid passport or
- the passport or travel document you had when you became a permanent resident or
- the certificate of identity or travel document issued by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or a foreign country
AND two identical photos taken within six months.
For children under the age of 18
A copy of the following documents:
- a birth certificate
- submit legal documentation issued by a Canadian court which proves guardianship of the candidate or
- a photocopy of school records (report cards, transcripts, attendance records).
And two pictures meeting PR requirements.
Then you need to fill out the application and submit indicated forms. Follow the step-by-step instructions and always provide true information. Keep in mind that this is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application may be verified.
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