Anyone who applies to become a Canadian citizen, get a citizenship certificate or give up citizenship must include one or two biometric photos in their applications. Then, there come the following questions:
What is a qualified Canadian citizenship photo?
Is there any reliable and affordable service citizenship photo near me?
Can I get photos of Canadian citizenship if I am out of Canada?
Nowadays, there are so many options to make an identification photo no matter where you are and whenever you want. In this passage, we are going to explore places and tools that address the questions above.
Canadian Citizenship Photo Specification
First of all, let’s go through requirements for a Canadian citizenship photo:
● File format: JPG or JPEG
● Pixels: at least 420 (width) x 540 (height)
● File size: 240 kB to 4 MB
● Photo dimensions: 50mm (width) x 70mm (height)/ 2 in. (width) x 2- 3/4 in. (height)
● Background: plain white or light-colored
● The face should measure 31 – 36 mm from the chin to the top of head.
● The image must be original, clear, sharp and evenly lit.
● You must keep a neutral facial expression, which means no closed eyes, open mouth, smiling, laughing or frowning.
● The photo must be taken within the last six months so as to show your current appearance.
● Face the camera without tilting your head or shrugging your shoulders.
● Glasses are acceptable as long as the lenses are transparent and have no reflection.
● Headgear is only allowed for religious or medical reasons as long as it is daily worn and doesn’t cover your face.
● Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted.
● Shadows on the person or the background are prohibited.
How to Get Citizenship Photo Near You?
Physical stores are one of the most popular ways to take identification photos. Due to the frequent inquiry like “Where can I get a citizenship photo near me?”, we have made a lot of research and find out stores that provide photography services in your neighborhood in this section. Before going to the store, please wear dark clothes in case of blending into the white background. Rember to tell the staff which country the photo is for because they have templates for different countries and sizes.
Canadian Citizenship Photo in Shipping Centers
UPS is a shipping center that makes biometric photos in compliance with most identification photo requirements, such as passports and citizenship cards. Yet better, customers can immediately deliver the photo and application form to Case Processing Centre after taking the citizenship photo at UPS. The whole process is quick and easy, which takes only a few minutes and requires no appointment. There are multiple UPS branches across Canada. With this store finder, you can find the location, business hours and services.
Canadian Citizenship Photo in Pharmacies
London Drugs (LD) and Shoppers Drug Mart are both well-known large pharmacies that provide ID photo services.
● London Drugs
There are photo templates for over 100 governments in LD system, including the citizenship card. The London Drugs experts are equipped with advanced biometric software which will check whether the image follows the official guidelines. You can also ask for a Biometric Passport/ID Check Print certificate to illustrate that it is accepted by the authority. Use this store locator to find a nearby store.
● Shoppers Drug Mart
Besides as a leading pharmacy retailer in Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart is also known to make high-quality biometric photos, including Canadian citizenship photos. There are more than 1,300 retail outlets all over Canada, scattered in rural and urban areas, shopping malls and streets. However, not every Shoppers store can provide photo services. Please find a nearby store with the store locator and call to ask whether this service is available or not. As each store is independently run, the price and working hours are subject to the location. Some of them work 24/7.
Canadian Citizenship Photo in Walmart
Walmart provides full photo service for citizenship (including photography) and printing services. Their employees are familiar with the photo standards and how to take a good-looking shot. Just locate a store near you on the Walmart website, walk into the store and tell the staff what kind of photo you want. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to make one. It could be longer if there is a longer queue.
Canadian Citizenship Photo in Photography Studios
There are professional photography studios or freelancer photographers in most big cities in Canada. They have experienced skills, advanced cameras and lighting equipment to make satisfactory photos, but you often have to make an appointment first. The best way to find one is to input your location and search it on Google Maps.
Get Canadian Citizenship Photo Online
On the condition that you are not in Canada or you don’t want to go out of home to take a photo, it is possible to make a photo for Canadian citizenship at home by using the online editor.
As the authority poses strict regulations on citizenship photos, this tool can help you check whether the photo is compliant or not. The process takes only a few steps.
● Find a well-lit room and make sure the light is evenly spread on the face. Natural sunlight is the most suitable.
● Ask someone or set up a tripod to take a photo for you. Stand about 4 feet away from the camera. That is to say, don’t use the portrait mode and front camera by yourself.
● Pose according to the Canadian citizenship photo specification. Pay attention to the facial expression, head, eyes, etc.
● Upload the photo on the website and let the tool process the photo automatically. Preview the results and download them if you are satisfied with it.
● Apply for your citizenship card with the digital or printed photo.
FAQs: Canadian Citizenship Photo
Q: Can I take a citizenship photo at Costco if I am in the US?
A: No, Costco no longer provide photography services, but you can print it out in their stores.
Q: Can I take a citizenship photo at CVS if I am in the US?
A: Yes, but you have to ask whether the staff is acquainted with requirements for Canadian citizenship photo.
Q: Is a Canada citizenship photo the same as Canadian passport photos？
A: No. There are minor differences. For example, 1 colored digital photo (recommended) or 1 digital black-and-white photo is required for citizenship while the passport photos must be 2 identical colored ones and one of them with guarantor and photographer’s signature. Moreover, passport photos have stricter standards on image quality.
Summary
After reading this passage, you must have been clear about where to get a Canadian citizenship photo. This service is available in pharmacies and retail stores like London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart, studios and online applications. The fastest and easiest method is bound to be citizenship photo online. With AiPassportPhotos, you can take photo without going out and spending hours waiting in the queue.
Erin Lo