IRCC Photo Requirements for CIT 0001: Exact Specs (2026)
IRCC citizenship photo requirements for your CIT 0001 application: 35mm × 45mm, white background, photographer certification on back, and what US drugstores get wrong.
The IRCC citizenship photo requirements for your CIT 0001 application are specific and strictly enforced: 35mm × 45mm dimensions, white or light-coloured background, neutral expression, and photographer certification on the back. Getting these wrong is one of the most common reasons applications are returned.
Most US drugstore photo services default to US passport specs, which are different. Here's exactly what you need to know.
The exact IRCC photo specifications
When you submit your CIT 0001 application, you must include two identical photos that meet all of these requirements:
Physical dimensions:
- 35mm wide × 45mm high (approximately 1.38 inches × 1.77 inches)
- Not 2 × 2 inches (that's the US passport standard)
- Not 33mm × 48mm (that's the Canadian passport standard)
Background:
- Plain white or light-coloured background
- No shadows on the background
- No patterns, textures, or other people visible
Your appearance:
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- Face must be centred and occupy 70-80% of the photo height
- From top of head to bottom of chin must be 31mm to 36mm
- Glasses are allowed if you normally wear them, but no glare or tint
- Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons
Photo quality:
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Clear focus, professional quality
- No filters, no editing, no red-eye correction
- Printed on photo-quality paper
Photographer certification on the back
This is where most people make mistakes. IRCC requires the photographer to write specific information on the back of one photo:
- Photographer's full name
- Complete business address (including city and postal code)
- Date the photo was taken
- Your name (the applicant's name)
The photographer must write this by hand or stamp it. A sticker label is not acceptable.
If you use a drugstore photo service, you need to ask them to certify the photo on the back before you leave. Many US pharmacy staff are unfamiliar with this requirement because US passport photos don't need it.
What US drugstore services get wrong
Most CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart photo departments can technically produce photos to IRCC specs, but they won't do it automatically. Here's what usually goes wrong:
Wrong size by default: Staff will assume you want US passport photos (2 × 2 inches) unless you explicitly say "Canadian citizenship application photo, 35mm by 45mm."
Missing back certification: US passport photos don't require photographer certification. You must ask the staff member to write their name, the store address, the date, and your name on the back of one photo before you leave.
Wrong cropping: Some automated kiosks crop too tightly for IRCC specs. Your face should occupy 70-80% of the frame, not fill the entire photo.
How to order citizenship photos in the US
Follow this script when you go to a drugstore photo counter:
- Say: "I need photos for a Canadian citizenship application, not a US passport."
- Specify: "The size is 35 millimetres wide by 45 millimetres high."
- Confirm the background is white or light-coloured.
- After the photos are printed, ask: "Can you certify one photo on the back with your name, this store's address, today's date, and my name?"
If the staff member seems uncertain, show them this page or bring a printed copy of the IRCC photo specifications.
Cost: Expect to pay $10-20 USD at most US drugstores.
Canadian citizenship vs US passport photos
These are not the same. Here's the comparison:
| Specification | IRCC Citizenship (CIT 0001) | US Passport | |---------------|----------------------------|-------------| | Size | 35mm × 45mm | 2 × 2 inches (51mm × 51mm) | | Head height | 31-36mm | 25-35mm (1-1.375 inches) | | Background | White or light | White or off-white | | Photographer certification | Required on back | Not required | | Quantity | 2 identical | 2 identical |
You cannot use US passport photos for your Canadian citizenship application. The dimensions are different, and you need the photographer certification on the back.
Canadian citizenship vs Canadian passport photos
Even Canadian passport photos use different specs:
- Canadian passport: 50mm wide × 70mm high
- CIT 0001 citizenship certificate: 35mm wide × 45mm high
If you're planning to apply for a Canadian passport after you receive your citizenship certificate, you'll need a separate set of photos. Read more in our guide to what to do after you get your citizenship certificate.
Photo services that understand IRCC specs
If you're having trouble at US drugstores, consider these alternatives:
Professional photographers: Search for "passport photo services" or "immigration photo services" near you. Many professional studios are familiar with international ID photo requirements.
Online services: Companies like Passport Photo Online or ePassportPhoto let you upload a photo taken at home and will crop it to IRCC specs. They mail printed copies to you. You'll still need to get the back certification done by a local photographer or notary.
Costco Photo Centre: If you're near a Canadian Costco, their photo centres are familiar with citizenship application photos. US Costco locations may require more explanation.
Canadian pharmacy (if you're visiting Canada): Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, and Jean Couteau photo counters regularly do citizenship photos and know the requirements.
Common photo rejection reasons
IRCC will return your entire CIT 0001 application if the photos don't meet specs. These are the most frequent issues:
- Wrong dimensions (usually 2 × 2 inches instead of 35mm × 45mm)
- No photographer certification on the back
- Photos older than six months
- Shadows on the background or on your face
- Smiling or mouth open
- Glasses with glare
- Blurry or low-quality printing
Check your photos carefully before you mail your application. If anything looks off, get new photos taken.
For a complete walkthrough of the CIT 0001 form and all supporting documents, including photos, see our step-by-step CIT 0001 guide.
Next steps
Once you have your photos and all other required documents—your birth certificate, your parent's birth certificate, and your grandparent's long-form Canadian birth certificate—you're ready to mail your application to the IRCC processing centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Not sure if you qualify under Bill C-3? Take our free eligibility quiz at arryv.ai/check to find out in under two minutes.