Your files are ready
Tip: for a physical application, print the 4×6″ sheet at a photo lab or pharmacy and cut along the lines. For online applications, use the digital file.
Select your country / document
Each country has its own size and head proportions — switching reloads the exact spec.
Canada PR Card (Permanent Resident Card) spec
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in) |
| Head height | 31–36 mm (chin to crown of head — the natural top) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Digital upload | PR Portal upload: 1 digital photo, JPEG, 4 MB or less, 715×1000 to 2000×2800 px — must come from a commercial photographer (scan of the printed photo or their digital file). Phone photos of a printed photo are not accepted. |
Source: IRCC — Guide 5530 / photograph specifications for PR cards (canada.ca) · verified 2026-10-09
Canada PR Card (Permanent Resident Card) photo — requirements & how to
Canada's PR card uses a large 50×70 mm format with the head 31–36 mm chin-to-crown — and IRCC requires the photo to be taken by a commercial photographer. Use this page to see exactly what the photographer's photo must look like: plain white background, no smiling, no alterations, studio stamp on the back.
Key rules for PR card
- Important: IRCC requires PR card photos to be taken by a commercial photographer — a home-made photo can't be submitted
- Two identical, unaltered photos for the paper route; colour or black-and-white; taken within the last 12 months
- The back of one photo must show your name and date of birth, the date, and the studio's name and full address (no stick-on labels)
- Plain white background, neutral expression (no smiling), uniform lighting — no shadows, glare or flash reflections
- Use this page to check that the photo your photographer produces matches the official spec
How to make your PR card photo here
- Upload a straight-on photo (plain light background, even lighting, no glasses).
- Check the blue guide — chin to crown must fit the head guide. Use “Auto-fit head” first.
- Watch the live checks: head size, centering, resolution, background.
- Click Generate and download the digital size and/or the 4×6″ print sheet.
FAQ
Can I take my own PR card photo at home?
No — IRCC requires PR card photos to be taken by a commercial photographer. The photographer must write the studio's name and address, the date, and your name and date of birth on the back of one photo.
What size is a PR card photo?
50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in), with the face 31–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white background.
What can I upload to the PR Portal?
A JPEG of 715×1000 to 2000×2800 px (max 4 MB) — either a scan of the printed photographer photo or a professional digital photo. Phone photos of printed photos are rejected.