Canadian passport photo remains to be an essential part of passport application and renewal. However, Canadians might wonder whether they need to submit a coloured or black and white passport photo for 2025. In this passage, we are going to introduce whether a black and white passport photo is acceptable and specific photo guidelines.
Are the 2025 Canadian Passport Photos Black and White?
According to the Canadian government, both coloured and black and white passport photo are acceptable as long as they satisfy the official photo guidelines. No matter which photo type you submit, it must be clear, sharp, in focus, and printed on high-quality photographic paper. Do not unalter the picture digitally, scratch, fold, or damage it.
Canada Passport Photos: Colour vs Black and White
To help you choose the proper passport photo format, it is necessary to learn about the difference between coloured and black-and-white (B&W) passport photos.
- Image Clarity and Recognition
Coloured photos are usually of superior image quality and show more details, such as skin tone, hair color, and eye color, which presents the applicant’s appearance more realistically and accurately.
B&W photos might have a lower resolution, so facial features and facial contour might be ambiguous. Moreover, it might be difficult to distinguish the applicant from the background.
- Printing Requirements
To print out coloured photos, you should have a more advanced printer and higher-quality ink while a black and white passport size photo generally has less stringent printing requirements and can be printed on standard paper with regular equipment.
- Cost
It usually costs much more to print a coloured passport photo than to print a B&W photo as it requires more advanced equipment.
- Accessibility
Nowadays, even a mobile phone can take good passport photos. In the United States and Canada, coloured passport photos are more common at print shops, pharmacies, and photography studios. However, fewer photo stores provide black-and-white pictures due to their poor quality.
- Compliance with International Standards
Colored photos are becoming a universal standard requirement for passports, ID cards, or visas. They are more likely to be accepted by international authorities and border control. However, black-and-white is only allowed in some specific countries, such as Canada.
- Durability and Longevity
Coloured pictures might fade or blur over time and it requires careful preservation. Therefore, it is less durable than black-and-white ones. Worse still, frequent replacements will take more fees and time.
Where to Get Black and White Passport Photos in the US
Although black and white passport photos are not so common in the United States, you can still get one through the following ways.
- Visit a Commercial Photographer or Studio
There are a large number of home studios, freelance photographers, and commercial enterprises that provide portrait photo services in the US. They vary in size and specialization. Some traditional ones might still take and print a black and white passport size photo. It is advised to search online for a nearby one and inquire whether they provide B&W photos and whether they take Canadian passport photos.
- Visit Retail Stores or Pharmacies
Retail stores or pharmacies are widely spreading over the US whether you are downtown or in small towns, such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmarts, Rite Aid, etc. However, as most of them focus on coloured photo printing, you are supposed to walk into the local store and check the exact information. Some allow you to upload a picture on its online portal to print it out and wait for door-to-door delivery.
- Get Black and White Passport Photos at Home
Suppose you live in remote areas or are too busy to visit a physical photo store. In that case, it is possible to take a black-and-white passport photo online with the help of online passport photo makers, such as AiPassportPhotos. This online passport photo editor is equipped with hundreds of official identity document photos, including Canadian passport photos. It promises to provide a 100% qualified picture through compliance checks, resizing, and background replacement. All these run automatically within seconds. You just need to take a picture, upload it on the AiPassportPhotos website, download the edited image, and print it out at home.
Canada Passport Photo Requirements 2025
Each application requires two (2) identical printed passport photos. The photos must also meet the following requirements to avoid delay or rejection.
- Size
It must measure 50 mm (2 inches) in width and 70 mm (2¾ inches) in height. The person’s face should measure 31 mm (1¼ inches) to 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from the chin to the top of the head.
- Background
A plain white background is required. The person’s face, body, and clothes must contrast with the background, so white clothes are prohibited.
- Image quality
The photo must be clear. You must submit an original picture instead of scanned copies or pictures of an existing photo. Make sure to take photos under sufficient and uniform lighting to avoid shadows, glare, flash, or reflections.
- Facial expression
A neutral expression is recommended, which means your eyes should be open and your mouth is closed. Do not show obvious feelings on your face.
- Appearance and posture
The photo should present your current appearance, so it is suggested to submit photos taken within the last 6 months. It should show the full head and upper shoulders which are centred and held upright. Tilting your head or looking sideways is not allowed.
- Glasses
Glasses are acceptable, but they must not have tinted or reflective lenses as the eyes must be visible.
- Hair
The hair can be loose down or tied up as long as it does not cover your facial features or face contour.
- Head coverings
Only head coverings that are worn regularly for religious beliefs or medical reasons are allowed, but they must cover your facial features or cast shadows on your face.
- Child’s passport photos
Infants might not hold a neutral expression, so it is acceptable that their eyes are not fully visible or their mouth are slightly open.
- Guarantor signature
On the back of the photo, there should be a written or stamped name and complete address of the photographer/studio. Additionally, a guarantor must clearly write a statement “I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicant’s name)” and sign on the back of the photo for first-time applications.
Common Mistakes in Black and White Passport Photos and How to Avoid Them
Submitting an unqualified passport photo will lead to application rejection. A black-and-white passport photo might be rejected due to many reasons. Here are some common examples.
- Poor lighting
It will result in dark photos because inadequate or uneven illumination might obscure details on the face, create shadows, and affect exposure levels. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural and diffused light. Avoid direct sunlight on the subject. Set supplementary lighting if the light source shines from only one side of the person.
- Unnatural skin tone
Although the applicant’s original skin tone is not clearly shown in black-and-white photos, improper lighting color will make the person’s face look darker or brighter than normal. For example, using coloured gels or lights that do not match skin tones can result in strange hues. All you need is to make use of natural daylight or a similar light source.
- Light-coloured clothes
People wearing light-colored clothes, such as white, off-white, or creamy, seem to blend into the background, thus hindering identification. It is recommended to wear darker clothes for passport photos, such as black, navy blue, red, and so on.
- Lack of Contrast
Black and white photography heavily relies on contrast to present the person’s appearance and distinguish the person from the background. If there is not enough contrast, the face might look flat. To avoid this problem, you have to ensure proper exposure or sufficient lighting.
- Noise and Grain
They refer to the granular or speckled effect in images. The photo will look blurry, which is not allowed. It can be avoided by using high-definition cameras or proper ISO settings.
- Reflection or Glare
Tinted glasses or reflective lenses will generate unpleasant glare, making the eyes invisible. The red-eye effect will also hinder eye recognition. Therefore, you should take off glasses or shiny accessories and do not use flash when taking pictures.
Colour vs Black and White Passport Photos: Pros, Cons & Which One to Choose
When it comes to choosing between coloured and black and white passport photos, you should consider photo quality, uses, and budgets. To help you make a wise decision, we will list the pros and cons of them.
- Coloured Passport Photos
| Pros | Cons |
| Show more details of an individual’s appearance; Reflect personal style by showing different colors and patterns of clothes and accessories; More visually appealing; Versatile for visa, driver’s licence, ID card, residence permit, or other official documents application in many countries. | Ditract people’s attention from the face which should be the focus of identification; More expensive due to its rigid printing requirements |
- Black and White Passport Photos
| Pros | Cons |
| Look more traditional and more formal; Focus on presenting facial features; No distrction from coloured clothes or fancy decorations; Cheaper and easier to produce | Have limited uses and are only accepted in certain countries and documents; Show less details of appearance; Might be low-resolution or blurry. |
In a word, if you want to use the photo for more procedures, opt for a coloured passport photo. If you have a limited budget and only apply for a Canadian passport, a black and white passport photo will be enough.
FAQ
Why is my passport photo black and white?
The Canadian government accepts black and white passport photos, which is quite friendly to those who favour this photo type or those who have no access to take and print high-quality coloured pictures. No matter what format you choose, make sure it satisfies the official requirements and clearly represents your true appearance.
Are black and white passport photos more secure?
No necessarily. The security of a passport photo depends on its compliance with the official photo guidelines in terms of measurement, clarity, lighting, composition, and so on instead of its color.
Are Canada visa photos black and white?
Yes. Both black and white or coloured photos are acceptable for Canadian visa applications.
Are US passport photos black and white?
No. The US passport photo must be coloured, clear, and taken recently.
Summary
Both coloured and black and white passport photo are acceptable for Canadadian passport application. Coloured photos capture more details and are more versatile while B&W photos are cheaper and more long-lasting. In the US, you can get a passport photo at retail stores, pharmacies, studios, or online. No matter which one you choose, make sure it satisfies the official Canadian passport photo requirements.
Dolores Xiao