Pointers When Taking Digital Photos for Immigration in Canada

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A permanent resident photo is among the many requirements you have to submit, should you need to immigrate to Canada. Thankfully, we’ve listed pointers to consider to avoid mistakes, thus saving you from wasted time, effort and unnecessary costs. This guide will be beneficial for you if you need to apply for a permanent resident card or for permanent residence in Canada.

Pointer #1: What to Keep in Mind First

Your application guide will tell you the number of required photos for your immigration application. Note that you have to give them original, identical, and unaltered photos. The photographs you provide may either be in colour or in black and white.

Pointer #2: What Your Photos Should Be

For your convenience, we have listed the requirements so that your photos will be accepted. Find them below:

1. Your photos should be taken by a commercial photographer. 
2. Your photos should be 50 mm wide and 70 mm high (or 2 inches wide and 2.75 inches long) and should be sharp, clear, and in focus.
3. In your photos, the height of the face should measure between 31 mm and 36 mm (or between 1.25 inches and 1.44 inches), from the chin to the natural top of your head.
4. Your facial expression in the photos should be neutral. This means that your eyes should be open and visible and your mouth should be closed. Smiling is not allowed. Your hair can be down.
5. You can wear glasses in your photos, as long as your eyes are clearly visible and there are no glares.
6. Hats and head coverings are not allowed in your photo unless they have religious and medical purposes. The entire face should still be clear and visible and without any shadows.
7. The photos should have uniform lighting. Shadows and flash reflections should not be present. Photos with a red-eye effect are not accepted.
8. The photos should show the full front view of your head and shoulders and the face should be at the centre of the photo.
9. The background of the photo should be plain white. Natural skin tones should be reflected in the photo.
10. The photos should be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance.
11. The photos should be printed on high-quality photo paper. Those that are printed on heavy paper are not accepted.

Pointer #3: What the Back of Your Photos Should Have

You will be required to indicate several details at the back of one photo. The information to be listed are below:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• The name of the photo studio and its address
• The date when the photo was taken

Note that some photographers use stamps to list this information. Both stamped and handwritten details are acceptable. Stick-on labels should not be used.

Pointer #4: Child Photos

All child photos should follow the same restrictions and rules stated on this page. The photos should show the child’s head and shoulders. Anyone’s hands (even if the child) should not show.

Since it is extra challenging to take a photo of a child with a neutral expression, some minor variations are allowed.

You may take photos of your newborn child in a car seat, but a white blanket should cover the seat.

Pointer #5: Medical Considerations

If you are using a wheelchair, you should cover the wheelchair with a plain white blanket so that the edges of your face are clear.

On the other hand, if you are wearing headwear or a nasal cannula for medical reasons, make sure that your eyes in the photos are visible and clear. It would also help you to request a letter from your doctor and create a signed explanation letter to submit along with your application.

Seek Help from the Experts

When it’s about Canadian immigration, you can request services from a reliable and accredited agency in Canada.

Globeia is highly experienced in conducting services involved in immigration. We also offer passport photo services at our Photo Centre. Our team would love to help you if you need photos for the Green Card Lottery, US Immigration, Permanent Residence applications, citizenship, visa, and other official documents.

Should you have inquiries and requests, feel free to give us a call, send us an email, or visit us via an appointment, as we are here to help you!

Address: 1185 Victoria Park Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario M4B 2K5

Phone: 416-288-8070

Email: info@globeia.ca

We are facing a dilemma that affects communities across the globe. Globeia is aware of the COVID-19 situation and the problems arising from it. Because of this, we are more than committed to providing only first-rate services that save you time, effort, and money. Hopefully, through our services, we help you fight the current crisis to strongly and resiliently rise above it. We are with you every step of the way.

Disclaimer:

Take note that this article only intends to inform and educate readers, so as to help them with similar problems they might have. Any text or information from this publication should not, in any way, be taken as legal advice. We also disclaim any responsibility for the damages that may occur out of the details laid out here. It’s always ideal to consult with experienced legal counsels to learn more about a certain process and the steps involved. In addition, we do not take any responsibility to update content that was posted in the past.