Canadian Visa Photo

If you want to apply for the Canadian Visa, you must provide two photographs of yourself, either in colour or black and white. When it comes to official photos, in this case photos for the Canadian Visa, there are certain requirements to follow. If you don’t meet the requirements, your picture will be rejected. 

When applying for a Canadian tourist or work visa, your application cannot be processed before providing photos that meet the specifications. Below we have gathered all the needed information when applying for a Canadian visa, to help you get the photo specifications correct, and get your application processed with proper documents!

Canadian Visa photo size

The required photo size is 35 mm x 45 mm (approximately 1 ⅜’’ x 1 ¾’’). Your face must be in the centre of the photo, and only your head and the top of your shoulders can be in the view. The size of the head must be between 31 mm (1 ¼’’) and 36 mm (1 7/16’’).

For your convenience, you might want to try out a cropping tool for Canadian Visa photos, that helps you crop the picture to the exact size that is required. Incorrectly cropped pictures won’t be accepted.

Quality

The resolution of a digital Visa photo must be 305 dpi, and the printed photos must be printed on quality photographic paper. That means, that if you provide your Canadian visa photos on paper, you must print them out on quality paper either in a photo studio or using a specific Visa photo tool, where you can also order your Visa photos printed out to your address.

The photo must be clear and well defined, and all of the face features must be completely visible and recognizable.

Background and lighting on the Canadian Visa photo

The background of the Canadian Visa photo must be plain white or light-coloured. There must not be any visible shadows or objects in the background. It can be difficult to get such a background when taking a Visa photo at home, but you can use a tool to erase the unsuitable background and changing it into the required white or light colour.

Regarding the lighting, the best kind of light is natural, so it reflects your skin tone well. It is a good idea to stand face to face with a window, so your face is evenly lit. You can use a tripod or ask another person for help. Selfies are not acceptable.

Glasses and eyes

On the Canadian Visa photo, you are allowed to wear prescription glasses, if they don’t form any shadows or reflections on your face, and your eyes can be seen clearly. Make sure the frame of the glasses doesn’t cover any part of your face. Sunglasses are not acceptable.

Head and Face

The Canadian Visa photo must be taken with the head directly centred and eyes looking at the camera lens. Eyes must be open and mouth closed. You must also have a neutral facial expression, no frowning or wide smiles.

Hair and headcovers

For a Canadian Visa photo, hairpieces or other cosmetic accessories are accepted, if they don’t cover any part of the face, or disguise your normal appearance. If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, it is acceptable, but the face cannot be covered. Remember that your full face must be visible and free of shadows.

What to wear for a Canadian Visa photo?

You are allowed to wear whatever you like: your normal clothes or a more casual style. Only uniforms and camouflage patterns are to be avoided.

It is a good idea to wear something slightly darker than the white background, so it creates a bit of contrast.

5 most common mistakes on Canadian Visa photo

Taking a Canadian Visa photo at home might be challenging. We have gathered the 5 most common mistakes in taking a Canadian Visa photo to help you avoid any mistakes. 

• Something covering the face. Make sure your hair or glasses don’t cover any part of your face.
• Bad lighting. Your face must be evenly lit.
• Tilted head. Your face must be centred and facing the camera directly.
• False facial expressions. You must have a neutral facial expression.
• Falsely cropped photo. This can be easily solved by using a photo tool to crop your Visa photo!

Passport Photo Online is a great way to avoid any mistakes with your Canadian Visa photo! We will help you prepare a visa photo that meets all the requirements.

How to take a Canadian Visa photo at home?

When applying for a Canadian Visa photo, it’s time- and money-saving to have the option to take your visa photo at home. It’s possible to take your visa photo with your own smartphone or digital camera.

Many candidates don’t have the time or the opportunity to go to a professional photo studio or a photo booth to get a Canadian visa picture. That’s why it’s a good idea to use Passport Photo Online to get your visa photo! It saves you time and money, and you can take the photo in the warmth of your home.

Canadian Visa Photo App for Android

If you have an Android phone with a camera of enough quality, you may want to try out Passport Photo Online and its app for Android to take your Canadian Visa photo. All you need to do is upload a picture of yourself, and we will take care of the rest!

Canadian Visa Photo App for iPhone

You can easily take your Canadian Visa photo with your iPhone with the Passport Photo Online app! Get a professional visa photo in under 3 seconds, we guarantee it will be accepted!

Sources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/visitor-visa.html