canadian travel document photo requirements

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Travel and identification documents for entering Canada

From: Canada Border Services Agency

October 1, 2022 : COVID-19 emergency border measures ended

Refer to COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for details.

Make sure you carry proper identification for yourself and any children or minors travelling with you. You must be able to confirm your legal right or authorization to enter Canada at the border.

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Residents returning to canada, travel with children and minors, international visitors to canada, electronic travel authorization, fake websites, related links.

Planning travel to Canada? Visit COVID-19 : Entering Canada requirements checklist for information about quarantine and your admissibility to Canada.

Carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States (U.S.). It is the only universally accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.

Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship

Other acceptable documents for establishing canadian citizenship, other acceptable documents to support identity, acceptable documents for establishing registered indian status and identity.

Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, travellers must satisfy a CBSA border services officer (BSO) that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada. For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, this can be done through questioning and through verifying documentation such as a:

• Canadian passport
• Canadian birth certificate
• permanent residence card
• citizenship card
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or valid Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card

If you do not have a passport, and are returning to Canada, the following documents can denote identity and citizenship :

• NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes
• FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only)
• Canadian emergency travel document
• Canadian temporary passport
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
• Enhanced driver's license issued by a Canadian province or territory
• Enhanced identification/photo card issued by a Canadian province or territory

Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

The following documents may be used to establish Canadian citizenship . Upon presentation by travellers, the documents should be supported by other government issued photo identification:

• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (large form issued between January 1, 1947, to February 14, 1977)
• Certificate of retention (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977)
• Certificate of naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947)
• Registration of birth abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, by Canadian citizenship authorities)
• Provincial or territorial birth certificate (individuals born in Canada)

The following documents may be used to establish your identity :

• CANPASS card (air, corporate air, private air, remote area border crossing), held by a Canadian citizen
• Commercial driver registration program card, held by a Canadian citizen
• Provincial and territorial driver's license
• Employment or student card with photo and signature
• Provincial health insurance card
• Provincial identity card
• Canadian Forces identification
• Police identification
• Firearms acquisition certificate
• Credit card
• Vehicle insurance certificate
• Vehicle registration

Every person registered under the Indian Act can enter and remain in Canada by right as per subsection A19(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act . The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), more commonly referred to as the Status card, is an identity document issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada confirming that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act .

Note: The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) was replaced by the SCIS in 2009. Existing versions of the CIS will remain valid until their renewal date.

If you plan to travel to or transit through the U.S., we encourage you to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the U.S.

For information on Canada-U.S. border-crossing issues, visit Crossing the Canada-U.S. border with a status card .

When travelling with a minor, you should:

• carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
• arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
• you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
• you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor

A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':

• telephone number

Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about any minors travelling with you.

To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad .

More information

• Children and travel
• Our Missing Children program

Check Travel health measures

All international travellers must carry acceptable identification and a valid visa (if necessary) when entering Canada. A passport is recommended because it is the only reliable and universally-accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel.

International transport companies, such as airlines, must make sure that travellers have proper, valid travel documents. If you do not have the proper documents, you may be delayed or refused entry into Canada . What you need will depend on where you are from, how you are travelling, and what documents you are travelling with. Consult entry requirements by country .

When you enter Canada, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if you are arriving from a country for which one is required. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website to learn more about what travel documents are required.

Citizens of the U.S. who are members of the NEXUS program may present their membership card as proof of identification and as a document that denotes citizenship, when arriving by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes.

Citizens of the U.S. who are members of the FAST program may use their cards as proof of identity when arriving by land and marine modes only.

Permanent residents of the U.S. who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

All visitors arriving from or transiting through the U.S. are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the U.S.

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization ( eTA ) to fly to or transit through Canada.

Exceptions, or visa and eTA-exempt foreign nationals, include:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S Lawful Permanent Residents
• travellers with a valid Canadian visa
• Other exceptions

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents do not need to apply for an eTA.

Foreign nationals from select visa-required countries may also travel to or through Canada by air using an eTA , if eligible .

Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.

• Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization
• Get help with Electronic Travel Authorizations
• Dual citizens
• Canadian permanent residents
• Lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

Travellers who apply for an eTA are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer help in getting an eTA. These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have established websites that charge a fee to provide information and submit eTA applications.

This Government of Canada website is the official place to apply for an Electronic Travel Application .

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2021-2022 digital passport photo specifications. : Ci4-131/1-2021E-PDF

Permanent link to this Catalogue record: publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.903270&sl=0

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How your photos should look for a secure status card

How to submit acceptable photos when applying for a secure status card.

SCIS Photo App

You can now take your own photo cost-free when applying for a secure status card and submit it straight from your smart phone using the SCIS Photo App .

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Acceptable photos, child photos, ways to get your photos taken.

• if submitting printed photos with your application
• if submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App

SCIS Photo App privacy notice

Photos can be in colour or black and white and be taken by anyone.

Photos need to:

• be clear, sharp and in focus
• be taken with a neutral facial expression, that is, eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed
• be taken with uniform lighting, without shadows, glare or flash reflections
• be taken straight on, with face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera
• be taken in front of a plain white or light-coloured background, with a clear difference between the face and the background
• represent natural skin tones
• be originals and not taken from an existing photo
• be taken within no more than 12 months before the date you submit the application and reflect applicant's current appearance
• Prescription eyeglasses may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection or glare on the eyeglasses.
• Sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses are unacceptable.
• Photos with the red-eye effect or red-eye alterations are unacceptable.
• the full face needs to be clearly visible and the head covering shouldn't cast any shadows on the face.
• Hair can be worn down.

For child photos, the same requirements apply.

In addition:

• photos need to show the child's head and shoulders only
• parent's or child's hands shouldn't appear in the photo

For newborns, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head.

• Shadows shouldn't appear across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.
• Minor variations in a neutral expression of a newborn are recognized.

You can take your photo cost-free:

• using the SCIS Photo App
• a regional office
• a First Nations office , if applicable
• any trusted source

You can also pay a service provider to take Canadian passport-style photos.

How to submit your photos

If submitting printed photos with your application.

Provide 2 identical and unaltered Canadian passport-style photos that meet these specifications:

• 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches high) in size
• length of the face need to be between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to natural top of head
• printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper

Provide on the back of one of the photos:

• the full name of the person in the photo
• the date the photo was taken, not the date the photo was printed
• the guarantor 's signature and date signed, if applicable

If submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App

The SCIS Photo App can only be used to submit photos cost-free when applying for a secure status card . It can't be used to submit photos to apply for a status card .

You can submit a digital photo straight from your smartphone using the SCIS Photo App:

• Visit Google Play or the App Store to download the app free of charge.
• Follow on-screen instructions.
• If you need a guarantor , be sure that person is present when you take your photo.
• No personal information is stored in app.
• Collection, use and disclosure of personal information are in accordance with the Privacy Act .
• Review the SCIS Photo App privacy notice .

With the SCIS Photo App, you can take your own photo when applying for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (secure status card) and submit it from your smartphone free of charge. The photo will appear on your secure status card.

The information you provide voluntarily through the SCIS Photo App is encrypted and transmitted securely to Indigenous Services Canada. The SCIS Photo App will ask for your consent to access the camera on your smartphone to capture your photo. The SCIS Photo App will not access any other technology, app or information on your device.

The SCIS Photo App will ask for your name, date of birth, registration number and email address. That information, which you also provide in your application, will be used to link your photo with your application. You may also be asked to provide your guarantor’s name, signature and email address. That information is used to confirm your identity. We may use the email addresses to contact you or your guarantor if more information is required.

If your application is not received within 12 months of submitting information through the SCIS Photo App, the information will be deleted. After successfully linking your photo with your application, the information submitted through the SCIS Photo App is kept in your file.

Personal information is collected, used and disclosed by Indigenous Services Canada in accordance with the Privacy Act . Only information needed to administer the registration and the Secure Certificate of Indian Status programs is collected. The authority to collect and use personal information is derived from the Indian Act . The description of the collection, use, retention and disposal of personal information (ISC PPU 110) is available at Info Source .

You have the right to access and request corrections to your personal information by contacting Indigenous Services Canada’s Privacy Coordinator at 819-997-8277 . For more information on privacy issues, complaints and the Privacy Act in general, contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 .

Related links

• How to apply for a status card
• Application forms for Indian status and status cards

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What photos do I need to include with my citizenship application?

You need to provide photos if you’re applying to:

• if you’re applying on paper: 2 identical printed photos
• if you’re applying online: 1 digital photo
• renounce (give up) citizenship: 1 printed photo

Your photos must meet our requirements such as size, colour and information must be written on the back of the photo. We’ll return your application if your photos don’t meet the specifications.

Check the citizenship photo specifications for more information.

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• Proof of citizenship

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Travel documents

Your client may require one or more travel documents to travel outside Canada. These can include, among others, passports and permanent resident cards, along with official documents such as visas. It's important to know which documents are needed and where to get them to make travelling quick and easy.

If your clients hold dual citizenship or nationality, they may require additional documents to travel to the country of their other citizenship and should contact the embassy or consulate of that country to find out the specific requirements.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the department responsible for all matters related to Canadian passports and other Canadian travel documents.

Canadian government offices outside Canada provide passport assistance to Canadians outside Canada on behalf of the IRCC. Although consular officers can request urgent assistance, they do not control how quickly IRCC will approve an application. If your client is still in Canada they can call 1-800-567-6868 toll-free if they need emergency passport help on weekends and statutory holidays.

Canadians holding dual (or multiple) citizenship, with the exception of U.S. passport holders, need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. If their other country of citizenship needs them to enter and exit that country using a passport issued by its government, they should make sure they carry both passports when they travel.

There are many other things you need to know about Canadian passports. For example, did you know that all new Canadian passports have a data chip in them and are called ePassports? Or that the validity period of Canadian child and adult passports can be different, or that an adult passport needs to be signed to be valid, but the same isn’t true for a child’s passport? You should become familiar with these rules to properly guide your clients in case they have questions about Canadian passports.

The IRCC website provides all the information your clients need about Canadian passports and other travel documents.

A passport is a valuable document that should be kept in a safe, dry and secure place at all times. It must be kept in good condition and free of damage. Canadian passports are the property of the Government of Canada.

Travelling with a damaged passport could result in delays and issues. Border authorities can refuse entry or exit from a country, and airlines may prevent your clients from boarding a plane based on the condition of their passport. 

Some examples of damage to a passport include:

• removal of pages
• unauthorized markings
• tears in one or more pages
• exposure to water or humidity
• chewing marks from a child or pet
• change of the information and/or photo
• separation of the cover and inside pages
• other forms of damage that aren’t listed here

Many countries have strict requirements when it comes to the validity of the traveller’s passport. Some countries will not allow entry, or issue a visa, if the passport is not valid for several months beyond the traveller’s date of departure from that country. Your clients should not travel outside Canada with a passport that will expire during or shortly after a trip. The passport holder should check the Entry/exit requirements section in our Travel Advice and Advisories to make sure the passport meets the requirements of that country. The passport should also have enough empty pages for visas or entry-exit stamps in accordance with the destination’s entry requirements.

As a travel counsellor, it is in your interest to ensure that your clients have all the required documentation before leaving Canada. Depending on the destination, this could include a visa.

You can check the destination’s “Entry and exit requirements” section in our Travel Advice and Advisories to see whether a visa is required. If so, your client may need to obtain the visa before leaving Canada. Travellers should apply for a visa several months before their departure date for certain countries, as obtaining a visa can be a time-consuming process.

To access information on passport validity and visa requirements, go to:

• Travel Advice and Advisories
• Select the destination country
• Find the “Entry and exit requirements” section
• Read sections on passports and visas

Ultimately, every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders, and requirements can change at any time. We recommend that you consult the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Canada to check its entry requirements.

The Government of Canada cannot intervene on behalf of your clients if they do not meet their destination country’s entry or exit requirements.

Global Affairs Canada provides a list of all foreign embassies and consulates in Canada .

4 – Sofia was 15 years old when she was issued her passport and now that she is almost 20, it is about to expire. She is wondering if she would be able to renew it for an ePassport that is valid for more than 5 years. You look up her question on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. After visiting the Who can renew section and watching the ePassport video you find out that:

5 - Since Sofia has previously travelled to Europe with her parents, she remembers that she didn’t need a visa. She has heard that Türkiye partially lies in Europe, and wonders if she can also go there without a visa. You help her out by looking it up in the Entry and exit requirements section of the Travel Advice and Advisories for Türkiye and see that she ________________.

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Canada passport & visa photo requirements

The right photo is key to your Canada visa or passport application.

If you’re applying for a Canadian travel document, your photo must meet specific rules. A small mistake here could affect the success of your application.

We've compiled a guide to help you understand the Canadian government's requirements for passport and visa photos. This way, you can make sure your photo is just right. Read on to get the specifics and make your application journey a little easier.

Canada passport photo guidelines

Your photos for a Canadian passport application must be professionally taken by either a commercial photographer or at a photo studio. For your application, two identical images are necessary.

Recent photo: Your photos must be recent, ideally taken within the last six months, to show how you currently look.

Photo dimensions: Each photo should measure 50mm x 70mm, with your face measuring 31-36mm from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin.

Quality: They can be in color or black and white, but must be clear, in focus, and printed on high-quality photographic paper. The images must not be altered in any way and must represent your natural skin tone.

Background: Use a plain white or light-colored background with no patterns or shadows. There should be a clear distinction between your face and the background.

Head position: Look directly at the camera without tilting your head. Your head and shoulders should be level and centered in the frame.

Facial expression: You should have a neutral expression with your eyes open and visible and your mouth closed.

Lighting: Make sure the light is even and doesn’t cast shadows or create glare on your face or in the background.

Eyeglasses: If you need to wear glasses for medical reasons, choose thin frames that don’t block your eyes. Your eyes should still be clearly visible, and there must be no glare on the lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed.

Head coverings: Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They should not cast shadows or cover any part of your face.

Hair and clothing: Wear regular clothes that contrast with the white background. Religious clothing is allowed for those who wear it daily. Keep your hair off your face so that the edges of your face are visible.

Verification: The back of one photo must have the date, name, and address of the photo studio. If you’re applying for a new passport, you’ll need a guarantor to certify the image as a true likeness of you and sign. Adult passport renewals don’t need a guarantor.

Canada visa photo guidelines

You’ll need to provide two identical photos that meet the specifications below.

Recent photo: Your photos must be recent, ideally taken within the last six months, to show how you currently look. If you’re using a VFS Application Centre, you need just one photo that’s not older than one month.

Photo dimensions: The photos should be 35mm x 45mm. Your face should measure between 31-36mm from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin.

Quality: They can be in color or black and white, but must be clear, in focus, and printed on high-quality photographic paper. The images must not be altered in any way and show your natural skin tone.

Background: Use a plain white or light-colored background with no patterns or shadows. There should be a clear difference between your face and the background.

Eyeglasses: If you need to wear glasses for medical reasons, they should have thin frames that don’t block your eyes. Your eyes should still be clearly visible, and there must be no glare on the lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed.

Head coverings: Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They should not create shadows or hide any part of your face.

Hair and clothing: Wear regular clothes that stand out against the white background. Religious clothing is permitted only for those who wear it daily. Your hair must be off your face, and the edges of your face should be visible. You can wear a hairpiece if it doesn’t change how you usually look.

Jewelry: Keep jewelry or any other cosmetic accessory simple, and make sure it doesn’t change how your face looks.

Passport & visa photos for infants and children

Taking photos for infants' and children's travel documents requires special attention. The basic requirements for photo quality, background, and head position are the same as for adults. However, there are additional considerations for children as they’re harder to photograph.

Recent photo: The images should be taken within the last six months and accurately reflect your child's current appearance.

Eyes visibility: The child's eyes should be open and visible. For infants, capturing them with their eyes open might take a bit of time and patience. Glasses should be avoided unless medically necessary. They should not cover the eyes, and there must be no glare on the lenses.

Facial expression: While infants and children are not required to maintain the neutral expression demanded for adults, try and take a photo where they appear calm and natural.

Clothing: Dress your child in simple, everyday outfits that don’t hide their face. Accessories like hats and pacifiers are not allowed, but religious head coverings are acceptable as long as they reveal the child’s entire face.

No visible support: When photographing infants or young children who need support, make sure no hands or supporting objects are visible in the photo. ​

Focus on the child: The photo should only feature the child, without other people or props.

Verification: The rule for validating the photo with a guarantor is the same as with adult applications.

For infants unable to sit or stand, a photo can be taken from above while they lie on a plain white background or placed in a car seat covered with a plain white cloth.

Learn what every traveler should know before visiting Canada in our trip guide .

Get support for your Canadian visa application

If you’d like to apply for a Canada eTA or a Canada Visitor Visa and need more information, you can get in touch with our customer support team . Contact them any time via WhatsApp or through the iVisa chat .

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Knowledge Article

Visiting the U.S. - Documents required for Canadian Citizens / Residents / Landed Immigrant to enter the U.S. and how long they can stay

• Canadian passport
• Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card
• NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES
• SENTRI enrollment cards.
• Groups of Children: Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social/cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
• The group should provide, on organizational letterhead: The name of the group and supervising adult, a list of the children on the trip, the primary home address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child.
• A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.

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Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Japanese

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Your photo is a vital part of your visa application. To learn more, review the information below on how to provide a suitable photo. Digital images are required for some visa categories, while photos are required for other visa categories. The acceptance of your digital image or photo is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.

We recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.

Your photos or digital images must be:

• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the  Photo Composition Template  for more size requirement details.
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
• With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
• Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
• Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
• Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
• Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
• The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s).
• There must not be glare on eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).
• There must not be shadows or refraction from the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s). 
• If you normally wear a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.

Review the  Photo Examples  to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.

Please review the additional photo requirements for:

• Nonimmigrant Visas
• Immigrant Visas
• Diversity Visa (DV) Program

Additional Information

• Tips for taking photos yourself

Change of Appearance

Additional requirements for nonimmigrant visas.

Applicants using Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648

If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa by filling out the DS-160 or DS-1648 online form, the form will instruct you to upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form. Review the  Digital Image Requirements , which also provide additional requirements if you are scanning an existing photo.

Some embassies and consulates require visa applicants to bring one (1) photo, which meets requirements, to the interview. Review the  embassy or consulate  instructions where you will apply to learn more.

Additional Requirements for Immigrant Visas

 Applicants using Form DS-260

If you are applying for an immigrant visa, using Form DS-260, you must provide  two (2) identical photos  at your immigrant visa interview. Your photos must be:

• Printed on photo quality paper
• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size

Additional Requirements for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program

Diversity Visa Program Entrants

If you are entering the Diversity Visa (DV) Program online, you must upload your digital image as part of your entry. Your digital image must be:

• In JPEG (.jpg) file format
• Equal to or less than 240 kB (kilobytes) in file size
• In a square aspect ratio (height must equal width)
• 600x600 pixels in dimension

Do you want to scan an existing photo? In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:

• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter)

Diversity Visa Program Selectees

Each DV applicant will need to bring two (2) identical photos to the interview. Your photos must be:

Do you want to take the photo yourself?

While we recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements, you may take the photo yourself. Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way. Please review the following technical requirements and references for guidance on taking your own photo.

Use the Department of State’s free photo tool to:

Please note: This tool is intended for photo cropping only. A Department of State employee will make the final decision whether your visa photo is acceptable or not for your application.

Taking photos of your baby or toddler

When taking a photo of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo, and your child should be looking at the camera with his or her eyes open.

If your photo(s) or digital image does not reflect your current appearance, even if it is not older than 6 months, the U.S. embassy or consulate will request that you provide a new photo with your application.

Applicants will be requested to obtain a new photo if they have:

• Undergone significant facial surgery or trauma
• Added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos
• Undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain
• Made a gender transition

Generally, if you can still be identified from the photo in your visa application, you will not need to submit a new photo. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not generally be considered a significant change of appearance.

If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, he or she will generally not have to provide a new photo. However, the acceptance of your photo or digital image is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.

Already have a photo?

Use our  Photo Tool  to crop your photo so it's the right size.

• This photo tool does not check the quality of your image. 
• This tool is for cropping your photo only when you are applying or renewing using a paper form.
• Do not use this tool if you are renewing online.

After you apply, a U.S. Department of State employee will review your photo and decide if we can accept your photo.

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Travel tips for snowbirds returning to Canada

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

April 12, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Snowbird Association are encouraging Canadians who have spent the winter abroad to plan ahead for a smooth return to Canada this spring.

These are the top travel tips to know before arriving at the border:

Have your travel documents handy.  Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by coming prepared with your travel documents.

Driving home? Plan ahead and check  border wait times . You can avoid waiting in line by planning your drive to cross the border during non-peak hours such as early morning.

Flying home? Save time with Advance Declaration .  Download the application on your smart phone to make your customs declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.

Be prepared to declare your goods upon entry into Canada.  Gather your receipts for goods purchased or received while away before you travel and keep them readily available. Visit I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada and use the  CBSA duty and taxes estimator  to help calculate your monies owed. You should be aware of everything that is inside your vehicle as you are responsible for its contents.

Know your exemptions from duties and taxes .  If you have been outside of Canada seven days or more, you can import goods worth up to CAN$800, duty-and tax-free. Within this personal exemption, you are allowed to bring back duty and tax free: 

• Two bottles of wine (1.5 litres total), or one large standard bottle of liquor (1.14 litres),  or  approximately 24 cans or bottles (355 ml each) of beer (8.5 litres total); and,
• 200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco,  and  200 tobacco sticks. The packages must be stamped “duty paid,” as you would find them at a duty-free store. 

Travelling with medication?  If you have a prescription for a narcotic or controlled drug, you must declare it and ensure its in properly labelled container. Learn more about your responsibilities .

Travelling with firearms? If you are travelling with a firearm be sure to check the  rules on importing firearms  and other  restricted and prohibited goods before your departure. Better yet, consider leaving the firearm at home.

Importing a vehicle ?   If you are a resident of Canada you can  temporarily import a vehicle  that is licensed and registered in the United States, however, the duty and tax implications, the length of time the vehicle can remain in Canada, and how the vehicle can be used in Canada may differ. If you are permanently importing a vehicle from the U.S. or Mexico, visit Canada’s  Registrar of Imported Vehicles  website prior to arriving at the border for details about vehicle eligibility and the overall process, including the necessary duties and taxes.

Bringing poultry across the border?  Any poultry products you wish to bring into Canada must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a "Product of the USA." Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest  Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States  before bringing these products across the border.

Travelling with a pet or importing an animal into Canada? You will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

Not sure? Ask a border officer.  The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. Be sure to follow all instructions they provide to you. If you are not sure about what to declare, don't hesitate to ask. Our officers are here to help!

Quick facts

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) supports national security and public safety priorities by facilitating the free flow of persons and goods, including animals and plants.

The Canadian Snowbird Association is a not-for-profit advocacy organization for travelling Canadians, representing more than 115,000 members.

Associated links

• Plan your trip across the border
• Duties and taxes estimator
• I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada
• Border reminder checklist
• Advance Declaration video
• The CBSA and U.S. CBP provide an update on the NEXUS program

For more information about CBSA programs, services and initiatives, please visit the  CBSA website  or contact:

Border Information Services Canada Border Services Agency 1-800-461-9999 Contact us online Live agents are available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm local time

For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact:

Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency [email protected] 1-877-761-5945

Communications Canadian Snowbird Association [email protected]

For more travel tips for Canadian snowbirds, join the Canada Border Services Agency on  Facebook  and  YouTube  and visit the  Canadian Snowbird Association website .

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