How to get 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” photo in US??

[nick_s]

Hi All,
My PR application has been approved and has to submit passport to get immigrant visa but have question regarding the size of the photo.
US passport photo spec in US is 2" x 2", this is what you get if you going to CVS, Walgreen, etc. But, according to the photo spec guideline for Canadian immigrant visa (and I quote directly from the guideline): "the photo must have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8” x 1 3/4”) finished size." Interestingly, if I look at the photo spec guideline for Canadian visitor visa it says: "The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″)."
That said, is it OK if I submit 2" X 2"? If not, how could I get 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” photo in US?

When I submitted my photo for my application, I went to a CVS who happen has, in their machine, a different set of photo ID size option. I recently went there (and to some other location as well) and their machine is now have only 1 option, which is a 2" x 2".

Thx all!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hi All,
My PR application has been approved and has to submit passport to get immigrant visa but have question regarding the size of the photo.
US passport photo spec in US is 2" x 2", this is what you get if you going to CVS, Walgreen, etc. But, according to the photo spec guideline for Canadian immigrant visa (and I quote directly from the guideline): "the photo must have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8” x 1 3/4”) finished size." Interestingly, if I look at the photo spec guideline for Canadian visitor visa it says: "The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″)."
That said, is it OK if I submit 2" X 2"? If not, how could I get 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” photo in US?

When I submitted my photo for my application, I went to a CVS who happen has, in their machine, a different set of photo ID size option. I recently went there (and to some other location as well) and their machine is now have only 1 option, which is a 2" x 2".

Thx all!

Sometimes in pharmacies you can get the manager to override the settings and work with the specs on the Photo sheet (take it with you).

Otherwise, try going to a photographer directly. We've had luck with children's photographer places being somewhat cost effective (the ones in malls) but any photographer should be able to help you.

 

[nick_s]

Thx for responding OhCanadiana.
I just called Target, they have portrait studio and they say, they can't help me. And even if they do, they will print a 2" x 2" photo and manually cut it. It'll be the same by going to CVS (Target is more expensive than CVS) to get US Passport and cut it myself.

I've been reading past thread and found no one ever brought this issue up, wondering how the rest of US applicant deal with this photo spec.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thx for responding OhCanadiana.
I just called Target, they have portrait studio and they say, they can't help me. And even if they do, they will print a 2" x 2" photo and manually cut it. It'll be the same by going to CVS (Target is more expensive than CVS) to get US Passport and cut it myself.

I've been reading past thread and found no one ever brought this issue up, wondering how the rest of US applicant deal with this photo spec.

Just cutting a US-passport-sized photo won't work because the Canadians (just like the US) cares about the size of your face in addition to the photo dimensions.

Keep calling portrait studios - you'll find one you can charm (Target and Sears don't do them on site usually so they won't work; Picture People worked for us once). Depending on where you live, check with local consulates/embassies - they usually can tell you photographers in the area that are familiar with their specs (and if there isn't one familiar with Canadian specs then at least you know they have the equipment to be flexible). We've done both before for passports. Otherwise, check online (I've seen services that you can even save the specs and then print them at CVS, etc).

 

[nick_s]

Thx for the info OhCanadiana
BTW, do you notice in my original post that there are differences in guideline between photo spec for immigrant visa where it says: must have 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” and visitor visa: at least 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″. Not sure if immigrant visa stamp on our passport is different with any other visa (tourist, business, government, etc) that it needs a specific requirement in term of the size.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thx for the info OhCanadiana
BTW, do you notice in my original post that there are differences in guideline between photo spec for immigrant visa where it says: must have 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” and visitor visa: at least 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″. Not sure if immigrant visa stamp on our passport is different with any other visa (tourist, business, government, etc) that it needs a specific requirement in term of the size.

Not only that but the head must be very specifically sized - if you look at the Buffalo specific instructions there's one page you should print and take to the photographer.

And, just to make life fun, Canadian passports are yet a different size

 

[nick_s]

I think the size spec is just a guideline, I don't think they really measure your head size, however, if it look significantly different than the guideline, they will surely return your photo. A friend of mine took US passport photo at Walgreen (without telling them about the size spec etc) and submit it for canadian tourist visa (which has the same spec with immigration visa requirement) and they took it with no problem.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I think the size spec is just a guideline, I don't think they really measure your head size, however, if it look significantly different than the guideline, they will surely return your photo. A friend of mine took US passport photo at Walgreen (without telling them about the size spec etc) and submit it for canadian tourist visa (which has the same spec with immigration visa requirement) and they took it with no problem.

Your friend may have gotten lucky - they check that your photo fits within the specs and do reject photos both upfront as well as later when the use the same photo to process the PR Card.

 

[Tithi99]

Try to do it by a photographer and follow the photo specification fully.

For my case, the photo studio gave me the photo print out according to the specification and I cut the photos by myself.

The following link might help you to find some photo studios.
http://elliottback.com/wp/canadian-passport-photos/

 

[JENNYSEC]

Hi All,
My PR application has been approved and has to submit passport to get immigrant visa but have question regarding the size of the photo.
US passport photo spec in US is 2" x 2", this is what you get if you going to CVS, Walgreen, etc. But, according to the photo spec guideline for Canadian immigrant visa (and I quote directly from the guideline): "the photo must have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8” x 1 3/4”) finished size." Interestingly, if I look at the photo spec guideline for Canadian visitor visa it says: "The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″)."
That said, is it OK if I submit 2" X 2"? If not, how could I get 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” photo in US?

When I submitted my photo for my application, I went to a CVS who happen has, in their machine, a different set of photo ID size option. I recently went there (and to some other location as well) and their machine is now have only 1 option, which is a 2" x 2".

Thx all!

HI
find out some local adress of private photographer from directory and they will hepl you . I did same .Photo grapher charged me $ 35 per person for Two copy of 35 mm x 45 mm .It is prity high but we dont have choice.Better than rejection///
Hope this will help you.Buy the in which townyou are?If in chicago I can help /So pls. let me know//

 

[nick_s]

Thx all for responding.
The problem with canadian visa photo spec is the frame size (1 3/8” x 1 3/4”) which is unusual in the US. The rest of the spec, photo composition, head size, etc is common. US photo required the same thing (http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photocomptemplate/photocomptemplate_5297.html) and yet, just with $10 we can get it from CVS, Walgreen and the like. When I submitted my canadian PR application, I took the photo at CVS with no problem but since then, their machine was reset and no longer provide multiple frame size choices anymore.

I live in boston area JENNYSEC and just in case anyone here need it, I found the following info from canadian boston consulate website:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/boston/consul/photo.aspx?view=d

 

[nick_s]

Also, not sure why for visitor visa, the guideline is different, it says: at least 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″ which mean we can submit a 2" x 2" us passport size.

 

[JENNYSEC]

Also, not sure why for visitor visa, the guideline is different, it says: at least 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″ which mean we can submit a 2" x 2" us passport size.

for visitor visa and immigration there is different specification because it will be appear in your PR card.So don't west time and do it with private photographer.

 

[nick_s]

I understand JENNYSEC that it might be different spec for photo submitted for PR card and for a visa, however, I am NOT submitting photo for PR card, I am submitting photo for immigration visa. My understanding, and please correct me if I'm wrong, once we are in canada, we need to submit another photo for PR card. Nevertheless, I agree that we should not wasting time doing an incorrect photo which will be returned anyway.

Anyone else want to share info on this issue?

 

[Tithi99]

You can use the same photograph if you apply for PR card within 12 months of date of the photo taken.