Canadian authorities allow Muslim women to wear hijabs, and followers of other religions to wear religious head coverings, in official passport photographs. The condition is simple: the photo must still work as proof of identity, so the face has to stay fully visible.
According to IRCC's official passport photo requirements, a head covering is accepted if it is worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, the full face is clearly visible, and the covering does not create shadows on the face. The rule recently resurfaced on social media and prompted renewed discussion about religious dress and the rights of Muslim women and other communities, but it is not a new government decision.
Can You Wear a Hijab in a Canadian Passport Photo?
Yes. IRCC's passport photo page says it accepts photos with "hats and head coverings worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons." The same condition appears in the rules for adult passports, child passports and online renewals. The page does not name any single faith, so the rule is not limited to hijabs.
IRCC explains the purpose of the strict photo standards: passport photos are used with facial recognition systems that check identity from each person's facial features. That is why the focus is on how much of the face is visible, not on whether a person wears religious dress.
What IRCC Requires if You Wear a Head Covering
✅ Accepted
- Hijab, turban or other head covering worn daily for religious beliefs
- Head covering worn daily for medical reasons
- Full face clearly visible, from chin to top of forehead
- Hair or fabric kept off the face so the edges of the face are visible
- Even lighting with no shadows on the face
❌ Not accepted
- A covering that hides the nose or mouth, such as a niqab or face veil
- A covering that casts shadows on the face
- Hats or head coverings not worn daily for religious or medical reasons
- Photos edited in any way, including to remove shadows
- Light clothing or a covering that blends into the background
Do you need a letter to prove your religion?
For religious head coverings, IRCC's page lists no requirement to submit a letter or other proof. The documentation rule applies to medical headwear and nasal cannulas: applicants must include a signed letter of explanation, and IRCC may ask for a doctor's letter. IRCC also asks anyone who cannot meet a photo requirement for medical reasons to explain in writing when they apply.
Is the Rule Only for Muslim Women?
No. The policy is written around religious beliefs in general. In practice that includes Sikh turbans and other religious head coverings, with the same conditions: a fully visible face and no shadows. The rule exists to balance the technical and security needs of identification photos with respect for religious freedom and cultural diversity.
What About Glasses? IRCC's Official Position
Glasses are a separate rule from head coverings, and there is no religious exemption involved. Some photo-service websites say Canada has banned glasses in passport photos. IRCC's own page says otherwise: it accepts glasses if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses. It does not accept sunglasses or tinted glasses, and that includes tinted prescription lenses.
Canadian Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What IRCC asks for (printed photos) |
|---|---|
| Number of photos | 2 identical, unaltered photos |
| Size | 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 by 2¾ inches) |
| Face height | 31 mm to 36 mm from chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral: eyes open, mouth closed, no smile or frown |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured, with clear contrast against the face |
| Recency | Taken no more than 6 months before you apply |
| Who takes it | A commercial photographer or photo studio, professionally printed |
| Editing | None allowed, including filters, AI tools or shadow removal |
| Head covering | Worn daily for religious or medical reasons, full face visible, no shadows |
| Glasses | Allowed if eyes are visible and there is no glare; no tinted lenses or sunglasses |
| Guarantor | Needed for new adult passports; not needed for adult renewals |
Online renewals use a digital photo with different specifications, including a chin-to-crown measurement between 45% and 50% of the photo's height. Check the digital section of IRCC's page if you renew online.
A Long-Standing Policy, Not a New Decision
The rules have been in place for years. IRCC's printed photo specification sheet, which carries a 2015 publication code, already showed a head covering for religious or medical reasons as acceptable when the full face is visible. The sheet also showed a covering over the nose and mouth as unacceptable.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Earlier case | Three Sikh children's passport applications were rejected because their photos showed religious headgear. Passport Canada apologized, issued the passports and offered staff remedial training, as The Vancouver Sun reported. |
| 2015 | IRCC's photo specification sheet lists religious or medical head coverings as acceptable with the full face visible. |
| June 2025 | A Muslim woman said a Flair Airlines employee at Toronto Pearson told her to remove her hijab to match an older passport photo, according to CP24. That case concerned airline boarding, not passport photo rules. |
| Sept 23, 2026 | IRCC's current passport photo page, last modified on this date, still accepts head coverings worn daily for religious or medical reasons. |
| Nov 2026 | The rules circulate again on social media, prompting renewed debate about religious dress and the rights of Muslim women and other religious communities. |
How to Prepare a Hijab Passport Photo in Canada
- Go to a commercial photographer or studio. Home-printed photos and self-taken photos are not accepted.
- Tell the photographer you wear a head covering daily. Ask them to follow IRCC's page and print it for them if needed.
- Arrange the fabric so your face and its edges are clear. Nothing should cover the forehead, chin, eyes, nose or mouth.
- Ask for even lighting. Shadows from the fabric cannot be edited out afterward, so retake the photo if you see them.
- Choose clothing that contrasts with the background. IRCC warns that light clothing can blend in and lead to rejection.
- Check the date. The photo must be taken within 6 months of your application.
If a photographer or staff member tells you a hijab is not allowed, point to the IRCC page. You can also contact the Passport Program through the Government of Canada website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Muslim women wear a hijab in a Canadian passport photo?
Do I need a letter or document to wear a hijab in my passport photo?
Is Canada's hijab passport photo rule new?
Can I wear a niqab or face veil in a Canadian passport photo?
Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?
Does the rule also cover Sikh turbans and other religious head coverings?
What size is a Canadian passport photo?
Can the photo be edited to remove shadows from my hijab?
Sources
- Passport photo requirements, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Canada.ca)
- Digital passport photo specifications, IRCC (PDF)
- Passport photo specifications, IRCC (PDF)
- Passport Canada apologizes for refusing passports to Sikh children, The Vancouver Sun via Pluralism Project
- Winnipeg woman forced to remove hijab on Flair Airlines flight, CP24
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