Perfect 5x7 cm Canada Citizenship Photo 2025

One of the most important things you need to do to become a Canadian citizen is to send in a Canada Citizenship picture. This picture has to fulfill very strict technical and biometric criteria, and even tiny mistakes could cause your application to be delayed or turned down. But don't worry! You can quickly make the perfect Canada Citizenship photo with using your phone and PhotoGov.net. You don't have to go to a picture studio or hire a professional photographer.

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CA employment authorization photo

Get photo for: Canada Citizenship 5x7 cm (50x70mm)

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Why Your Photo for Canadian Citizenship Is Important

Your Canada Citizenship picture isn't just a normal picture; it's part of your official application and will be used to identify you by your biometrics. To make sure that your photo is clear and accurate, Canadian immigration officials have rigorous rules. This is because the photo will be used for your citizenship paperwork.

Your application could be delayed or even turned down if your photo doesn't fulfill the requirements. But don't worry — PhotoGov.net will automatically resize, crop, and change your photo so that it meets the statutory requirements for Canadian citizenship images.

How We Can Help You Take the Best Photo for Your Canada Citizenship

You don't have to go to a photo booth or hire a professional photographer to get the perfect picture for your Canadian citizenship application. You can do it at home. This is how PhotoGov works:

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  1. Take a Selfie: Use your phone to take a clear selfie that shows your face and is well-lit
  2. Upload Your Photo: Send the selfie to PhotoGov.net
  3. Our AI Does the Work: Our system automatically crops, resizes, changes the backdrop, and makes sure your photo is the right size of 5x7 cm
  4. Get Your Photo: You can download your photo after it has been processed. It is ready to be printed or submitted online

Requirements for Canada Citizenship Photos (5x7 cm)

Here are the technical criteria for your Canada Citizenship photo:

Requirement for Parameter

70mm
50mm
35mm
39mm
Layout, size and scale by indentation for the CA employment authorization
  • Size of the photo (width x height) 50 mm x 70 mm (5 cm x 7 cm)
  • Definition of Image Image that is clear and sharp, with no glare or blurriness
  • Height of the head (up to the top of the hair) 32–36 mm (around 70–80% of the height of the photo)
  • The distance from the top of the picture to the top of the hair 3–5 mm
  • Background Color Light gray or plain white
  • Resolution (DPI) Minimum 600 DP
  • Printable Yes
  • Online submission Yes
  • Articulation Eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression
  • Eyewear Permitted, but no glare or reflections
  • Head Covers Only for religious purposes
  • File Type JPG or JPEG

*Data from government agencies

Canada Citizenship Photo — Size and Requirements

Make sure to check how your photo will appear when printed to get the result. Save your photo in the format as instructed. It's important to understand the specifications, for passport and visa photos. Here are some common requirements:

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Technical requirements if you are going to process the photo yourself through Photoshop or other services:

Size

In the Canada, a photo for employment authorization photo must be 50x70 mm in size. Photographs that deviate from these requirements will not be considered and will have to be retaken by the applicant.

Color

Canada Citizenship photos must be taken in color to help officials identify you. Furthermore, the picture should be taken against a neutral background, white or off-white in color. This helps to ensure that the photograph is clear and that it stands out as it should, without any distractions. You should not digitally enhance your photograph; this includes adjusting the color balance.

Resolution and file size (in KB or MB)

It’s important that your Canada Citizenship photograph is high-quality and clear, as this will make it easier for border officials to make it out and compare it to you. To that end, you should ensure that you use a resolution of no less than 600 DPI (dots per inch). Ideally, you should use a resolution of at least 1200 DPI, but between 600 and 1200 should be fine. Just remember, the clearer and more satisfactory your picture, the less likely your application is to be rejected; aim for a file size of between 1 MB and 15 MB.

Attire, clothing, dress code

When you take a picture for a Kenya visa, there is a particular dress code you must adhere to. The main points of this dress code are that you must:

    Wear normal, everyday clothes.
  • Avoid wearing uniforms or camouflage clothing.
  • Avoid head coverings or headgear.
  • Avoid eyeglasses, including both sunglasses and spectacles.

If you adhere to these simple instructions and ensure that your picture is well-lit and of a high quality, your photograph should be satisfactory.

Image definition parameters

It’s essential that the photo quality is satisfactory. Ensure your picture is clear and properly focused, free of blur or noise. You should also make sure that it isn’t visibly pixelated and that it has been printed onto either matte or glossy photographic paper, as opposed to plain printer paper.

Background, contrast, and shadows

An Canada Citizenship picture must have both sufficient detail and high contrast. So, to ensure that your photograph is suitable, be sure to take it against a plain, neutral background, either white or off-white in color. This is important, as it helps you stand out in the picture. Additionally, be careful that there is no shadow in the photo, particularly any obscuring the face.

Example photos:

Below are examples of correct and incorrect photos

Examples of photos, how to correctly make a employment authorization photo CA

Things You Shouldn't Do

When getting ready for your Canada Citizenship photo, be careful of these typical mistakes:

  • The background should be a solid white or light gray color with no patterns or shadows
  • The dimension of your photo is wrong; it needs to be exactly 5x7 cm (50x70 mm)
  • Bad lighting: Don't let shadows or dark spots hide your face or the surroundings
  • Facial expression: You need a neutral look, not a smile or frown
  • If you use glasses, be sure there isn't any glare or reflection in them

    PhotoGov will automatically fix these common problems for you, making sure your photo is legal

  • Can i take my employment authorization picture at home?

    So long as you’re willing to put in the effort to take a good photograph, there’s nothing stopping you from taking your employment authorization picture at home. Simply follow these steps:

    • Observe the proper dress code.
    • Ensure your area is well-lit.
    • Take the picture up against a neutral background.

    How to take a Canada Citizenship photo using a phone

    So long as your smartphone has a good quality camera, you can certainly use it to take a picture for your employment authorization. With that being said, however, selfies are not acceptable, so follow these steps:

    • Ask someone to take your picture for you.
    • Position them 5-7 feet away so that only your upper body is in the shot.
    • Alternatively, use a tripod set up between 5-7 feet away. Move it as necessary to get the perfect picture.

    How to take Canada Citizenship photos for babies and kids

    When taking pictures of babies and children for employment authorization, many of the same rules apply; for example, they must still adhere to the dress code, and the photograph must be high-quality and well-lit. With that being said, the State Department is generally more forgiving when it comes to the neutral expression requirement.

    • If you are photographing a newborn:
    • Spread a white sheet out over the floor.
    • Place the baby down on the sheet and take their photograph against it.

    For slightly older babies:

    • Prop them up in a child’s chair against a white sheet.
    • If they are still unable to hold up their head, prop it up for them using a hand behind the sheet. Ensure no one else is visible in the shot.
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    Tools based on artificial intelligence

    PhotoGov Features

    Here are the reasons why PhotoGov is the best and easiest option to get your Canada Citizenship photo:

    Crop

    This tool automatically cuts your picture down to the right size of 5x7 cm

    Resize

    Changes the scale of the picture to suit the official standards for pictures for Canadian citizenship

    Background removal

    This feature gets rid of any distractions and replaces the background with a color that is allowed (white or light gray)

    Auto-adjustment

    Changes the sharpness, contrast, and lighting to make sure the picture is clear

    How can i convert my photo to employment authorization size?

    While you can convert the size of pictures using a variety of methods, the best option is to use our employment authorization photo tool - PhotoGov. That way, you can rest assured you’ll have a high-quality, properly sized end product, one that isn’t distorted or blurred by stretching or compressing.

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    What are the benefits of using PhotoGov.net?

    Fast and easy

    Just send us your selfie, and we'll take care of the rest

    Affordable

    You may get great photos without spending a lot of money on photo booths or professional studios

    Every Time Compliant

    Our technology makes sure that your photo fits all the official standards for your Canada Citizenship photo

    No specialized skills required

    You don't need any specialized skills or knowledge to use our online passport photo service. Our platform uses advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to process your photo and ensure that it meets all official requirements.

    I already have a digital employment authorization photo. How do i print it?

    If you have a digital photograph, unfortunately, you won’t just be able to print it out on printer paper. You specifically need a high-quality print on either matte or glossy photo paper. You can either achieve this by visiting any photo service or by using our tool to print your image off at home.

    Where to get a employment authorization photo

    Pharmacies and drug stores

    Well-known medicinal retail brands, namely Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, proffer immediate passport photo solutions in-store. Do anticipate a charge, with most services priced around the $15 mark.

    Shipping centers

    Shipping giants like UPS, FedEx, and adjacent shipping facilities also cater to passport photo needs, mirroring the services of typical drugstores. At a going rate of around $15, it stands as a worthy alternative if you're considering external providers for your passport imagery.

    Post offices and other passport acceptance agents

    It's customary for post offices and agencies of a similar function to be equipped for passport applications, which includes offering photographic sessions. Maintaining the price consistency as observed earlier, you can typically expect a fee around the $15 ballpark.

    Retail stores

    Retail venues frequently host areas meant for passport photo shoots, assuring quality pictures in line with norms. Even though each establishment might set its own rate, you can usually anticipate a decent pricing range.

    FAQ

    • Yes, as long as the selfie meets all the requirements set by the government. Our algorithm will make sure that your selfie is the right size and shape.
    • Put on garments that are simple and neutral in color. Stay away from bright colors or patterns that could draw attention away from your face.
    • No, you need to have a neutral look on your face with your mouth closed.
    • It should be less than six months since you took your picture.
    • You can choose between a printable and a digital version, so you can pick the one that works best for you.
    • Certainly, our system automatically changes the background and lighting to fit the required criteria.
    • We'll assist you modify your photo and send it back for free if it doesn't satisfy the requirements!