Decoding Canada’s Complex 50x70mm Passport Requirements

The Massive 2 inch by 2 3/4 inch Outlier

While the US uses 2x2 inches and the EU uses 35x45mm, Canada aggressively enforces a 50x70mm physical print size. Because the canvas is so large, taking a tight close-up face shot will result in rejection. You must ensure you capture the top of your shoulders up to the crown with adequate white space above.

The Dreaded Photographer's Stamp

For physical renewals, Canada remains one of the last countries requiring a literal stamp or written declaration from a commercial photographer on the back of the print, marking the date the photo was taken. Because of this, it is one of the only countries where taking the photo purely at home without a commercial printer's declaration can be highly risky for certain specific forms.

Digital Uploads

Fortunately, newer forms of Canadian E-Visas (eTA) and digital portals completely bypass the physical stamp rule, allowing you to seamlessly upload a mathematically precise digital file generated by our algorithm.