Permanent Resident Photo

Permanent Resident Photograph specifications

Notes to the applicant

Take this information with you to the photographer

• Photos may be in colour or in black and white.
• Photos must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo.
• Photos must reflect your current appearance (taken within the past six (6) months).

Applying online

• You need one (1) photo.
• Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo to your application.

Notes to the photographer

The photo must be:

• taken by a commercial photographer;
• 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head);
• clear, sharp and in focus;
• taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling);
• taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections;
• taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the photos must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing the full face centered in the middle of the photo);
• taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between the person’s face and the background. Photos must reflect and represent natural skin tones and not be altered.

The back of the photo must include:

• the name and date of birth of the person in the photo
• the name and complete address of the photography studio
• the date the photo was taken;

The photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are not accepted.