CA Canada Visa 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Application: Photo Guidelines (Step-by-Step)

Requirements

• Photo size: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high (tolerance ±1 mm); no borders or frames
• Head dimensions: crown to chin 31 mm–36 mm; top of hair 2 mm–5 mm from top edge of photo
• Pose & framing: full face visible, centred and square to camera; shoulders and upper chest included
• Expression: neutral expression with closed mouth and natural eyes open; no smiling, frowning or raised eyebrows
• Background: plain white or light-grey, evenly lit with no shadows, patterns, objects or textures
• Lighting & focus: uniform lighting on face and background; no shadows, reflections, red-eye or over/under-exposure; sharp focus
• Colour & tone: true-to-life natural skin tones; colour photo only—no black-and-white, no filters
• Print quality: high-resolution professional print on smooth, high-quality photo paper (matte or glossy)
• Copies required: two identical photos on the same type of photo paper, cut to size after printing
• Head coverings & eyewear: no hats, caps or head coverings except for religious reasons (full face and hairline must be visible); no glasses or sunglasses—medical exception only with doctor’s note
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months reflecting your current appearance
• Preservation: photos must be undamaged, unmarked, crease-free and free of ink or stamp impressions

Step-by-Step Process

• Review official photo guidelines: Download IRCC’s 35×45 mm visa photo specifications, note head height (31–36 mm), background colour (plain white/light), file type (JPEG), resolution (600 dpi) and print requirements.
• Prepare shooting environment: Use a plain white or light-neutral background, set up two diffused light sources at 45° angles, mount camera on tripod 1–5 m from subject and use a 50 mm lens or high-end smartphone in manual mode.
• Position the subject correctly: Ask the applicant to stand straight 50–70 cm from the camera, centre their head in the frame, keep eyes level, look directly at the lens with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
• Capture multiple shots: Take at least 3–5 photos ensuring even illumination, no shadows on face or background, no red-eye or glare on glasses, and hair not covering eyes or eyebrows.
• Select and edit the best image: Choose the sharpest, correctly exposed shot, use a trusted editing tool to crop to exactly 35×45 mm maintaining head height (31–36 mm) and correct positioning, without altering facial features.
• Export the digital file: Save as high-quality JPEG (24-bit colour) at 600 dpi, ensure file size ≤240 KB, apply no extra compression, name the file per IRCC naming convention (e.g., FamilyName_GivenName.jpg).
• Print on quality photo paper: Use professional matte or glossy paper, print at true 35×45 mm without borders, ensure sharp edges, correct colours and no overexposure—avoid home printers unless calibrated for 600 dpi output.
• Conduct a final quality check: Compare printed photo against IRCC checklist—measure dimensions, head size, background uniformity, expression, lighting consistency, no creases, no marks, and date validity (within 6 months).
• Attach to application precisely: Stack photos flat, staple only on the designated corner without touching the face, write applicant’s name and date on the back in pencil if required, and include any extra copies as specified.
• Retain backups: Keep digital originals and printed copies for your records in case of reapplication or additional requests, ensuring you can quickly reproduce compliant photos.

Tips and Best Practices

• Precise Sizing: ensure the photo is exactly 35×45 mm with the head height 31–36 mm to meet IRCC biometric standards and prevent size-related rejections
• Even Lighting: use diffuse lighting to avoid harsh shadows, hotspots, or red-eye because uneven illumination can obscure facial features and trigger a retake
• Solid Neutral Background: choose a plain white or light grey backdrop free of patterns or gradients since backgrounds with texture or color can lead to immediate refusals
• Natural Expression: keep a neutral face with eyes open, mouth closed, and no smile to comply with passport-photo regulations and ensure reliable biometric identification
• Obstruction-Free Face: remove glasses, hats, hair fringes, and jewelry that cover your features to avoid reflections or occlusions that impede facial-recognition checks

Conclusion

In summary, adhering precisely to Canada’s 35 × 45 mm visa-photo specifications is the best way to avoid delays or rejections. Remember that even small deviations—from head size to background color—can lead to a refused application.

Key points to check before submission:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) with no borders
• Head size and placement: 31–36 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically
• Background: plain white or off-white, uniform and shadow-free
• Expression and pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and directly facing camera
• Glasses and headwear: remove glasses (no tinted lenses) and headwear unless for religious reasons, with full facial visibility
• Image quality: sharp, in focus, high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), true-to-life color, no red-eye or reflections
• Paper and finish (for printed photos): high-quality photographic paper, matte or glossy, no creases or smudges
• Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Digital uploads: adhere to file format, size, and resolution requirements as specified by IRCC

By double-checking each of these elements before applying, you ensure your photo meets Canada’s strict standards and help keep your visa process on track.