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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (width × height) with a tolerance of ±1 mm
• Head size: from chin to crown must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm and be centered vertically
• Background: plain white or light neutral colour with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible
• Photo quality: printed on high-resolution photographic paper, sharp focus, no creases or ink marks
• Colour requirements: true-to-life skin tones in colour (24-bit), no filters, no overexposure or underexposure
• Facial expression and pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, head straight and centered
• Lighting and shadows: even illumination on face and background, no shadows, no red-eye, no glare on skin or hair
• Glasses and eyewear: avoid glasses if possible; if worn daily, use clear lenses only, no tinted lenses, frames must not cover eyes or cast shadows
• Head coverings: permitted only for religious or medical reasons; must not obscure any facial features from chin to forehead and both edges of the face
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Number of photos: provide two identical prints with the applicant’s name and date of birth lightly printed on the back of each photo

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Review Canada’s official 35×45 mm passport photo specifications on the IRCC website to confirm size, head dimensions (31–36 mm from chin to crown), background color (plain white or light neutral) and print quality (high resolution, non-glossy).
• Second step: Select a plain white or light-neutral background and position your subject at least 1 m from the wall to eliminate shadows and achieve uniform lighting with two diffused light sources at 45° angles.
• Third step: Frame the shot so the subject’s head (hair included) occupies 31–36 mm of the image height, centered vertically, with eyes 28–35 mm from the bottom edge, ensuring the full face is visible and expression is neutral.
• Fourth step: Use a high-resolution camera (minimum 600 dpi) on a tripod set at eye level, shoot in color with accurate white balance, and disable flash red-eye correction to preserve natural skin tones and avoid reflections on glasses.
• Fifth step: Have the subject face the camera directly, maintain a neutral expression with closed mouth and open eyes, remove eyeglasses or ensure frames don’t obscure eyes, and avoid head coverings unless for religious reasons (face must be fully visible).
• Sixth step: Upload the digital file to professional photo-editing software to crop precisely to 35×45 mm, center the head according to Canada’s biometric template, adjust brightness/contrast for a clear facial outline, and save as JPEG at maximum quality.
• Seventh step: Print two identical photos on high-quality matte or semi-matte photo paper at exactly 35×45 mm, using a color-calibrated printer with no borders; verify dimensions with a millimeter ruler and ensure photos lie flat without scratches.
• Eighth step: Inspect each printed photo under natural light to confirm background uniformity, check for glare/reflections, ensure no retouching or visible pixels, sign the back lightly in pencil if required, and include both photos with your visa application.

Tips and Best Practices

• Head Position & Size: ensure your head measures 31–36 mm from chin to crown and is perfectly centered in the 35×45 mm frame to meet Canada’s biometric standards and avoid cropping errors
• Plain Background & Contrast: use a uniform white or light-gray backdrop with no shadows or patterns so automated systems can clearly distinguish your silhouette and prevent manual rejection
• Even Lighting & No Glare: illuminate your face evenly from both sides and avoid flash reflections (especially on glasses) to capture all facial features clearly and satisfy identity-verification requirements
• Neutral Expression & Open Eyes: maintain a calm, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully visible and unobstructed by hair or eyewear to ensure consistent feature matching and prevent retakes
• High-Quality Print & No Borders: print on professional photo paper at 300 dpi without borders, creases, or ink streaks so the image remains sharp and durable under embassy scrutiny

Conclusion

Conclusion: Adhering strictly to the Canada visa 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm) photo guidelines is essential to avoid application delays or rejections. Ensure correct dimensions, neutral background, proper head positioning, and optimal lighting to meet IRCC standards.

Summary of Key Points:

• Photo dimensions: exact 35 × 45 mm (width × height) with no cropping or borders
• Head positioning: head height 31–36 mm, centered, facing camera directly
• Background: plain white or light neutral, no shadows or patterns
• Lighting: even, no glare or reflections, natural skin tones visible
• Glasses & headwear: no tinted lenses or frames obscuring eyes; religious headwear allowed if not covering face
• Print quality: high-resolution, sharp focus, matt or semi-matt finish, no ink marks
• Digital requirements: JPEG format, minimum 300 dpi, file size 60–240 KB

By following these specifications precisely, applicants can confidently submit visa photos that comply with Canadian immigration requirements.