Canadian Visa Photo Requirements – Things You Need to Know

There are specific sets of photo requirements when it comes to visas. You can apply for your eTA Canada (check also: ArriveCAN – information) here and the whole process is smooth and quick.

Visas are a gateway to get inside another country, and without meeting the proper requirements it is not possible to get a visa approved.

Like other countries, Canada also has specific requirements to get a visa approved.

Through this article, one would be able to understand the Canadian visa photo requirements.

Click here to apply for Canadian eTA visa

Face and Angle

• To get a visa approved, one must have the correct face expression and angle within the frame.
• The face of the applicant must be within the photo frame, equidistant from the borders.
• The universal frame for a visa photograph is 35mm x 45mm.
• Along with it, the face must show a neutral expression in front of the camera.
• Frowning, smiling, leaned or face with the mouth open won’t be accepted.

Time Period and Colour

• The photo requirements for Canadian visa have strict rules about the time period, color and also the quality of the photograph.
• The photograph which has been clicked must be identical to the applicant’s face and should be clicked within the last 6 months.
• The photograph must either be in black and white or colored to fulfill the application requirements.
• One must also keep in mind that the background of the photograph must be plain.
• There shouldn’t be any object or design as the background.
• The background color must also be light in color – most preferably white.

No Modifications or Alterations

• While applying for a visa, the rules and regulations make it very clear that there shouldn’t be any editing or medication to the photograph.
• One can choose to use Photoshop to make lighting adjustments, but except that, no editing or modification on the face would be allowed.
• Cropped photograph, unadjusted frames or unequal length and breadth are also rejected.
• The photo should look natural and unedited, so even if you edit, make sure you do it like an expert.

Rules about Spectacles

• If you are someone who wears glasses, make sure that you remove the glasses before getting a photograph clicked, because it hinders the quality.
• The reflection of the light that falls on spectacles makes the eyes unclear, thus, is not considered as a proper photograph for a Canadian visa.
• Even if one chooses not to remove their spectacles, wear non-tinted shades so that the eyes are visible.
• Applicants must also make sure not to wear sunglasses while clicking a photo since it would be rejected immediately.

Cosmetics

• Though there are no rules against using cosmetics for Canadian visa photo requirements, one must make sure to apply it moderately.
• The purpose of a photograph is to know about your real face and identity, and if one applies an extreme amount of makeup leading to a complete disguise of the face, then it leads to security issues.
• This is not a beauty contest, nor is anyone going to judge you for your appearance, so try to be your true self in front of the camera.

Unobstructed Facial Features

• It is understandable that certain people wear headgears or cover their head due to cultural and religious significance.
• Facial features like eyes, nose, lips, and cheeks must be clear in the photograph.

Click here to apply for Canadian eTA visa