Canada visa photo guides
Glasses, hair, and head coverings
The face must be clearly visible. Hair, frames, glare, hats, and head coverings should not hide the eyes, face shape, or required facial area.
Checked: 2026-06-30
Requirement snapshot
- Eyes clearly visible; remove glasses if needed
- Hair away from eyes, eyebrows, and face outline
- Religious or medical head coverings allowed if face stays visible
- Neutral expression and even lighting
Glasses, hair, hats, and head coverings
The face must be clearly visible. Glare, tinted lenses, and thick frames can hide the eyes, so removing glasses is usually the safer choice for the photo. Hair should not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the face outline.
Head coverings are generally allowed only for religious or medical reasons, and the full face must remain visible with no shadow cast on the face. Hats and fashion head coverings for non-religious purposes should be removed.
- Eyes must be clearly visible; remove glasses if glare or frames are a risk.
- Hair should not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or face outline.
- Religious or medical head coverings may be allowed if the full face stays visible.
Keep the full face easy to identify
Identity confirmation depends on a clear, natural view of the face. Keep the expression neutral, the lighting even, and avoid anything that obscures the eyes or face shape.
Note: Canadian passport photos are stricter and glasses are generally not permitted unless there is a medical reason. Visa and permit-style photos are more flexible, but removing glasses remains the safer choice when in doubt.
Official sources
This guide summarizes the IRCC visa application photograph specification and uses the PR card and passport pages only to show where the 50 x 70 mm rules differ.
This website and app are independent tools and are not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC, an embassy, a visa office, or any application centre. Photo preparation does not guarantee acceptance, approval, or visa issuance.
Common Canada Photo Rejection Reasons
Even minor deviations can cause IRCC to reject your photo, delaying your application. Avoid these frequent errors:
Sunglasses and tinted glasses are strictly prohibited. Non-tinted prescription glasses may be acceptable if eyes are clearly visible with no glare and the frame does not cover the eyes. If in doubt, remove glasses.
The face height must be between 31mm and 36mm. If you crop the photo too close or zoom out too far, the photo will be rejected.
Ensure lighting is front-facing and even. Shadows on the background wall or on the side of the face are a common cause of rejection.
IRCC requires a strict neutral expression. Smiling, raising eyebrows, or showing teeth will result in photo rejection.
Why Use the Canada Visa Photo App?
The on-screen overlay helps you match the 35×45mm proportions, assisting in verifying the required 31–36mm face height.
Directly output the required dimensions for Canada visitor visas, Study Permits, and Work Permits.
All image processing occurs locally on your iPhone. Your personal photos are never uploaded to a remote server.
Review face position, margins, and background before paying, so you can verify compliance with specifications in advance.
Please note: This app helps prepare photo files for online upload. It is not affiliated with IRCC, and it does not submit applications. For paper-based applications like PR cards, an official photographer's stamp on the back is mandatory. The app's outputs do not replace this requirement. Check the latest rules at Canada.ca.
Related guides
FAQ
Can I wear glasses in a Canada visa photo?
It is allowed for visa-style photos, but glare, tinted lenses, and thick frames can hide the eyes, so removing glasses is usually the safer choice.
Are hats and head coverings allowed?
Head coverings are generally allowed only for religious or medical reasons, and the full face must stay visible. Fashion hats should be removed.
Is the glasses rule the same for Canadian passport photos?
No. Canadian passport photos are stricter and glasses are generally not permitted unless there is a medical reason. Always check the official passport page.
Official sources
- IRCC - Visa application photograph specifications (PDF) Checked: 2026-06-30
This website and app are independent tools and are not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC, an embassy, a visa office, or any application centre. Photo preparation does not guarantee acceptance, approval, or visa issuance.
All Canada visa photo guides
Review face visibility before saving
Use the app to prepare a visa-style photo, then confirm the latest official instructions for your actual application route.
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