PR card photo examples, rule by rule

Each pair shows one rule from IRCC’s photo page: the left follows it, the right breaks it. Everything else in the pair stays the same.

Rules checked Sep 18, 2026 against canada.caPortraits are AI illustrations of people who do not exist

The portraits are illustrations made with an AI image tool. None of them is a real person or a real application photo.

Photo size

The size, measured

Online, IRCC asks for one JPEG between 715 × 1000 and 2000 × 2800 pixels, 4 MB or less.

Same 5:7 shape as the 50 × 70 mm print: 715 × 1000 and 2000 × 2800 are both 5:7.
IRCC gives a head size only for printed photos: 31 to 36 mm from chin to crown.
Taken no more than 12 months before you apply, in colour or black and white.

Where the chin sits on the drawing is a guide, as on a passport photo; IRCC asks only that the head be centred and in proportion. Sources

The printed photo at its real proportions: 50 mm by 70 mm, with the head between 31 and 36 mm from chin to crown. Any studio that does Canadian passport photos works to the same paper size.

File: JPEG (.jpg), 4 MB or less
Pixels: 715 × 1000 to 2000 × 2800, 5:7 ratio
Photo: colour or black and white, taken no more than 12 months before you apply
Back: name and date of birth, date taken, studio name and complete address; online, a second image or a studio document such as a receipt

Accepted and returned, side by side

One rule per pair. The label under each picture says which side of that rule it falls on; IRCC decides on your real photo.

Neutral expression, mouth closed

A man in a navy sweater faces the camera with a neutral expression and his mouth closed, on a plain white background. — AcceptedNeutral, mouth closed

The same man smiling widely, with his teeth showing. — ReturnedSmiling with teeth

IRCC says “Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera.”

Eyes open, looking at the camera

The man looks straight into the camera with both eyes open. — AcceptedLooking at the camera

The same man with his face and eyes turned away to one side. — ReturnedLooking away

IRCC says “Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera.”

Head straight, face and shoulders squared

The man holds his head level, with his face and shoulders square to the camera. — AcceptedHead level

The same man with his head tilted toward one shoulder. — ReturnedHead tilted

IRCC says “Face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera.”

No glare on glasses

A woman in thin-framed clear glasses; her eyes are clearly visible through the lenses. — AcceptedEyes visible, no glare

The same woman with bright white reflections covering both lenses of her glasses. — ReturnedGlare on the lenses

IRCC says “Eyes clearly visible behind your glasses, with no glare on the lenses.”

No sunglasses or tinted lenses

The woman wears clear prescription glasses that do not hide her eyes. — AcceptedClear lenses

The same woman wearing dark tinted glasses that hide her eyes. — ReturnedTinted lenses

IRCC says “Avoid sunglasses or tinted prescription eyeglasses reflecting light or obstructing your eyes.”

Hair off the face

The woman’s hair falls behind her face, so both edges of her face are visible. — AcceptedEdges of the face visible

The same woman with her hair falling across her face and covering one eye. — ReturnedHair over the face

IRCC says “Hair off your face so that the edges of your face are visible.”

Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons

A woman wearing a dark navy hijab; her whole face, from forehead to chin, is visible and evenly lit. — AcceptedWorn daily for religion, face visible

A man with a grey beard wearing a dark baseball cap. — ReturnedA cap worn for style

IRCC says “Head coverings are allowed if worn daily for religious or medical reasons, but your face, including around your ears, background and shoulders, must be clearly visible and not cast shadows or distort the image.”

Even light, no shadows

A man in a green shirt, evenly lit, with no shadow on his face or on the wall behind him. — AcceptedEven light

The same man lit hard from one side, with a dark shadow of his head on the background. — ReturnedShadow on the background

IRCC says “Lighting: uniform with no shadows, glare, or flash reflections.”

Plain white background

The same man in front of an office with a bookshelf, a plant and a window. — ReturnedA room behind him

IRCC says “Background: plain, untextured and white.”

Head centred and in proportion

Head and shoulders fill the frame, with the head centred. — AcceptedHead and shoulders

The same man photographed from far away, visible to the waist, his head small in the frame. — ReturnedToo far away

IRCC says “Head centred and proportional to the photo dimensions; printed photos: 31 to 36 mm from chin to crown.”

No filters or retouching

The man’s photo with natural skin tone and texture. — AcceptedAs taken

The same man with a beauty filter: smoothed skin, pink cheeks, a glow and a strong colour tint. — ReturnedBeauty filter

IRCC says “Original photo not taken from an existing photo or altered in any way.”

Sharp, not blurry

The man’s photo in sharp focus. — AcceptedSharp

The same photo, out of focus and blurry. — ReturnedBlurry

IRCC says “Focus: clear, sharp and not blurry.”

Rules a picture cannot show

These are on the same IRCC page. Check them with the studio.

Go to a commercial photographer or studio. The back needs the studio’s name and complete address, which a selfie cannot carry.
Taken no more than 12 months before you apply.
An original photo, not taken from an existing photo, and not altered in any way: no changes to colour, brightness, contrast or sharpness, and no cropping around the head and shoulders.
Avoid white clothing or a white head covering: they can blend into the white background.
Avoid turtlenecks, bulky jackets or tops that cover the neck, and remove facial jewellery, particularly around the mouth and eyes.
Stand at least 1 to 2 metres from the background to avoid shadows.

Free

Check your file’s size and pixels

Free, in your browser. Your photo stays on your device.

Open the photo checker Photo requirements and the back

Photo questions

How many photos do I need for a PR card renewal?

Online: one digital photo, plus a second upload with the details from the back (the stamped back, or a studio document such as a receipt). On paper: two identical printed photos, 50 × 70 mm, with the details on the back of one.

Can I take my PR card photo myself?

IRCC’s photo page says to go to a commercial photographer or studio. The back also has to carry the studio’s name and complete address, which a photo you take yourself does not have.

Can I wear glasses in my PR card photo?

Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible behind the glasses with no glare on the lenses. IRCC asks you to avoid sunglasses and tinted lenses that reflect light or hide your eyes.

What should I wear for my PR card photo?

Avoid white clothing, which can blend into the white background, and turtlenecks, bulky jackets or tops that cover your neck. Remove facial jewellery, particularly around the mouth and eyes.

Can I wear a head covering?

Only if you wear it every day for religious or medical reasons. Your face, including around your ears, and your shoulders must stay clearly visible, with no shadows. IRCC asks you to avoid white head coverings.

What goes on the back of a PR card photo?

The name and date of birth of the person in the photo, the date the photo was taken, and the name and complete address of the studio, stamped or handwritten. Online, you upload those details as a second image or a studio document such as a receipt.