Canada allows hijabs, turbans and other religious head coverings in passport photos, a provision the government has long made out of respect for religious freedom. A graphic recently shared on social media, however, has caused confusion over some of the rules.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says people who routinely cover their heads for religious or medical reasons may wear the covering when their passport photo is taken. The whole face must be clearly visible, and the covering must not cast any shadow on it.
Under the government guidelines, the full face from the chin to the top of the forehead must show, and both edges of the face must be clearly visible. Lighting must be even, so that no shadow falls on the eyes, nose, cheeks or forehead.
IRCC’s general passport photo guidelines do not mention any separate legal permit for wearing a hijab or other head covering for religious reasons. The covering must, however, be one worn routinely for religious or medical reasons.
Photos taken wearing a covering that hides the face are not allowed, so a niqab or burqa covering the face cannot be worn for a passport or biometric photo. People who cover their faces for religious reasons may ask for help from an officer of the same sex and for a separate screen or room for privacy when their biometrics are taken.
The graphic’s claim that glasses are banned outright in Canadian passport photos is also wrong. Under IRCC’s current guidelines, ordinary glasses may be worn, provided there is no reflection or glare on the lenses and the eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted.
Canadian passport photos must show the face’s natural features and the position of the eyes and mouth clearly, which is why the rules also call for a neutral expression, closed mouth, open eyes and a direct look at the camera. The government has kept the identification requirements in place while allowing religious dress.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report