By Jonita Davis
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has imposed new rules on those crossing over the American and Canadian borders. Each person, including Canadian citizens, must have a passport or Nexus card. Both include a passport photo. However, not just any photo will do.
Size
The Canadian passport requirements call for two identical photos of the bust (head and shoulders). the photo must be 70 mm tall and 50 mm high (or 2 3/4-by-2 inches). Of this space, the face must occupy a space of 31-by-36 mm or 1 1/4-by-1 7/16 inches. This refers to the top of the head to the chin. Of the photo space, 25 percent must be occupied by the face.
Quality
Black and white photos or those in color. It must be printed on paper of a very high quality photo paper (glossy and bright) with a high quality (brilliant) ink. Paper the is heavy or conventional printer paper is unacceptable and will result in a rejected passport application.
Content
The face must be centered and upright in the photo. The background must be white and plain. The face must be uncovered and glare from glasses in unacceptable. No red eye, sunglasses, blurred content will be accepted. Canadian regulations also prohibit shadows, head coverings and non-neutral facial expressions.
Photographer
Professional, commercial photographers are required for producing an passport photo. The contact information for the photographer must be printed on the back of one photo. No label. The photographer and passport bearer must both sign the back of the same photo which holds the information.
About the Author:
Jonita Davis is freelance writer and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "The LaPorte County Herald Argus" and Work.com. Davis also authored the book, "Michigan City Marinas," which covers the history of the Michigan City Port Authority. Davis holds a bachelor's degree in English from Purdue University.
