Yes — you can wear prescription glasses in a Canadian passport photo. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) allows prescription eyewear provided there is no glare or reflection on the lenses and your eyes are fully visible.
Canada is one of a small number of countries that still permits glasses. The United States banned all glasses in 2016; Australia banned them in 2018. Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea still allow prescription glasses under similar conditions.
The Exact Glasses Rules for Canadian Passport Photos
IRCC allows prescription glasses if all of these conditions are met:
- Transparent lenses only — no tint of any kind
- No glare or reflection on the lenses
- Eyes clearly visible — the iris and pupil must be fully visible through the lenses
- Frames do not obscure any part of the eye area
- No sunglasses — even prescription sunglasses are banned
- No photochromic (transition) lenses unless fully clear at the time of the photo
If any of these conditions fail, the photo will be rejected.
Get a compliant passport photo online
How Canada's 50×70mm Size Affects Glasses Visibility
Canada uses a 50×70mm passport photo — one of the largest in the world. This means:
- Glasses frames, reflections, and lens glare are highly visible at this size
- Studios abroad will default to 35×45mm — always specify 50×70mm for Canadian passports
- The larger format shows more detail around the eye area, making glare easier to detect
- Always specify "5 × 7 cm" when ordering Canadian passport photos
Glare: The Main Glasses Rejection Risk in Canadian Photos
Most rejections involving glasses are caused by glare, not the glasses themselves. Glare appears as bright white spots or streaks on the lenses, obscuring the eyes beneath.
How to avoid glare
- Tilt your head slightly (2–3 degrees down) to redirect reflections away from the camera
- Clean your lenses thoroughly — fingerprints, dust, and smudges create false reflections
- Anti-reflective coatings help — if your glasses have AR coating, glare is significantly reduced
- Avoid facing windows or bright lights — position yourself so light comes from the side, not the front
- Ask the photographer to check — experienced photographers will spot glare before taking the shot
If you're taking the photo yourself: Take multiple shots and check each one on screen at full zoom for any bright spots on the lenses.
What Eyewear Is NOT Allowed in Canadian Passport Photos?
Even though prescription glasses are permitted, the following are banned:
- Sunglasses (prescription or non-prescription) — tinted lenses are never allowed
- Photochromic (transition) lenses — unless fully clear. These are risky because they may retain slight tint indoors
- Coloured or cosmetic contact lenses — these change your apparent eye colour
- Sports goggles or safety glasses — typically have reflective or tinted lenses
- Non-prescription fashion frames — only medical prescription glasses are permitted
Should You Remove Glasses for Your Canadian Passport Photo?
Removing glasses is always the safer option. Canada allows glasses but does not require them. If you can see well enough without them, or if you wear contact lenses, going glasses-free eliminates all glare risk.
Consider removing if
- Your lenses don't have anti-reflective coating
- You have thick frames that crowd the eye area
- You've been rejected before for glare
- You're taking the photo yourself without professional lighting
Keep glasses on if
- You have strong prescription and no contacts
- Your glasses have AR coating and thin frames
- A professional photographer is handling lighting
Canadian Guarantor and Photo Certification with Glasses
Canadian passport photos have a unique requirement: a guarantor (or eligible reference) must sign the back of one photo, certifying it is a true likeness of the applicant. The guarantor must be someone who has known you for at least two years.
If your photo shows you with glasses, the guarantor certifies that likeness — glasses and all. If you later need a retake without glasses, you'll need the guarantor to sign the new photo as well.
Where to Get Your Photo in Canada
Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix. Available at most locations across Canada. Cost: CAD $16–20. Staff are trained on IRCC requirements. Specify "Canadian passport photo, 50×70mm."
London Drugs (Western Canada). Cost: CAD $15–18.
Walmart Photo Centre. Cost: CAD $10–15. Available at many locations.
Costco Photo Centre. Cost: CAD $7–10. Good value, but not all locations offer passport photos.
Staples / Bureau en Gros. Cost: CAD $15–18.
Professional photography studios. Independent studios near Service Canada offices. Cost: CAD $15–30. Best for difficult cases (thick frames, glare-prone lenses).
DIY at home. If taking your own photo:
- White background (IRCC requires pure white)
- 50×70mm — larger than most countries
- Prescription glasses allowed if no glare
- Neutral expression, mouth closed (smiling not allowed)
- Both eyes clearly visible
Glasses Rules: Canada vs Other Countries
| Country | Glasses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Germany | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| South Korea | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| United States | ❌ Banned | Since 2016 |
| China | ❌ Banned | |
| Japan | ❌ Banned | |
| France | ❌ Banned | |
| India | ❌ Banned | Since 2020 |
| Australia | ❌ Banned | Since 2018 |
| Brazil | ❌ Banned |
Canada is in the minority. Most countries ban all glasses.
Common Mistakes with Glasses in Canadian Passport Photos
Assuming all glasses are fine. Only prescription glasses with clear, non-tinted lenses pass. Fashion frames, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are all rejected.
Ignoring glare. Glare causes more rejections than wearing glasses itself. Always check for reflections.
Using the wrong photo size. Canada's 50×70mm is unique. Don't use 35×45mm or US 2×2 inch.
Wearing transition lenses indoors. These may retain slight tint. Remove them or use regular prescription glasses.
Thick frames covering the eyes. If your frame rims overlap the iris or pupil area, choose thinner frames or remove glasses.
Canadian Visa Photo Glasses Rules
If you're applying for a Canadian visa (visitor, study permit, work permit), the same glasses rules apply. Prescription glasses with clear lenses and no glare are permitted.
The photo size for visa applications is also 50×70mm, matching the passport requirement.
Glasses Rules for Canadians Renewing Passports Abroad
If you're renewing your Canadian passport from abroad, the same glasses rules apply. Canadian embassies and consulates in Washington DC, London, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, and Delhi all accept glasses photos if the IRCC conditions are met.
Studios abroad may be unfamiliar with the 50×70mm size. Bring a printed reference or use an online tool to generate the correct dimensions.
Children's Canadian Passport Photos and Glasses
Children can wear prescription glasses in their Canadian passport photo under the same conditions as adults: clear lenses, no glare, eyes fully visible. Canadian passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years. Adult passports are valid for 5 or 10 years.
Service Canada Offices: On-Site Glasses Checks
If you're applying in person at a Service Canada passport office (or at a receiving agent), your photo will be checked by staff during submission. If they spot glare or lens issues, they'll ask for a retake before accepting your application. This is a free quality check — better to be caught here than to receive a formal rejection by mail.
Do Not Digitally Remove or Add Glasses to Your Photo
Do not digitally add or remove glasses from a photo. Do not digitally remove glare. Always take the photo correctly from the start.
Verify your photo meets all Canadian passport requirements with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For size requirements, see Canadian passport photo size guide. View all Canadian passport photo rules on the Canada hub.
