Where Can I Get Canadian Citizenship Photos Taken? (2026 Guide)
Compare prices at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, London Drugs, Staples, and CAA for Canadian citizenship photos — plus the at-home alternative that costs less.
Last updated: August 2026
Citizenship photos are available at most Canadian pharmacies and retail chains, but prices and service quality vary more than you'd expect — and one popular option most people assume still offers in-store photography actually doesn't.
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Quick Answer
You can get citizenship-compliant photos at Shoppers Drug Mart (roughly $16–20 for two), Walmart Photo Centre (roughly $13–19), London Drugs (around $14.99, Western Canada only), and Staples (roughly $22–25). Costco no longer offers in-store photography in Canada — but members can still print a compliant digital file themselves at Costco Photo Centre for a fraction of the cost, often under a dollar.
Ask specifically for "Canadian citizenship photos," not just "passport photos" — the dimensions are close but not identical, and most retail photo counters can produce either once you specify which one you need. [Data: C]
Price Comparison
| Retailer | Typical cost (2 prints) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoppers Drug Mart | ~$16–20 | 1,300+ locations nationwide; not every store offers photo services — call ahead |
| Walmart Photo Centre | ~$13–19 | In-store only at most locations; no appointment typically needed |
| London Drugs | ~$14.99 | Western Canada footprint only |
| Staples | ~$22–25 | Ready in minutes, no appointment required |
| CAA (members) | ~$8.50 | Best value if you're already a member |
| Costco | No longer offers photography | Members can self-print a compliant file for well under $1 per print |
Prices vary by location and aren't always posted online — it's worth calling ahead to confirm both price and whether photo services are currently offered at your specific store, since not every location runs this service consistently.
Why Costco Isn't the Answer It Used to Be
Costco was long the go-to budget option for Canadian passport and citizenship photos, but Costco Canada has closed its in-warehouse photo centres. It's still useful in one specific way: if you already have a compliant digital photo file — one you've prepared yourself or generated through an online tool — Costco Photo Centre lets members print it as a standard photo sheet for a very low cost. What Costco no longer does is take the photo for you or check it against IRCC's specification.
The At-Home Alternative
If you'd rather skip the in-store trip and price entirely, IRCC allows photos taken at home as long as they meet every technical requirement — this isn't a workaround, it's an explicitly accepted option:
- Set up a plain white or light-coloured background, evenly lit, with no shadows.
- Take the photo with a neutral expression, no glasses, both eyes open, facing the camera directly. [Data: G]
- Upload it to PhotoOmni's free AI check. It verifies the 50×70 mm proportions, face-height ratio (31–36 mm chin to crown), and background compliance against the current citizenship specification. The AI system uses [Data: F] transformer-based models that achieve over 95% accuracy and process images in roughly two seconds.
- Fix anything flagged and re-check — there's no cost to try again.
- Download the compliant file once it passes — the only paid step, and typically cheaper than a single in-store visit.
- Print at Costco, Walmart, or any photo counter as a standard photo sheet, or upload the digital file directly if you're applying online.
What to Ask For at the Counter
If you do go the retail route, be specific:
- Say "Canadian citizenship photo", not just "passport photo" — staff can usually produce either, but naming the correct document avoids confusion at checkout
- Confirm they'll write or stamp the photographer's name, studio address, and date on the back of one print — IRCC requires this, and it's easy for a rushed counter visit to miss
- Ask whether a digital copy is included or needs to be purchased separately, especially if you're applying online and need a digital file rather than prints
FAQ
Does Costco still take citizenship photos in Canada? No — Costco has closed its in-warehouse photo centres. Members can still print a compliant photo file themselves at low cost, but staff no longer take or check the photo for you.
What's the cheapest way to get a citizenship photo? Taking it yourself at home with a free compliance check, then printing at a low-cost photo centre, is generally cheaper than any full-service in-store option.
Can I use a passport photo for my citizenship application? Not automatically — citizenship photos don't require a guarantor's signature the way passport photos do, and the glasses rule differs slightly, so check the current citizenship-specific spec before reusing a passport photo.
Do all Shoppers Drug Mart or Walmart locations offer photo services? Not every location does — call ahead to confirm before visiting, since it varies by individual store.
Is PhotoOmni's compliance check free? Yes — checking your photo against the current IRCC citizenship specification is free. You only pay if you choose to download the final compliant file.
About the Author
Emma Richardson Senior ICAO Photo Compliance Expert, PhotoOmni
Emma Richardson is the Senior ICAO Photo Compliance Expert at PhotoOmni. With 12+ years of experience in passport and visa photo verification, she has helped applicants achieve 820,000+ successful photo approvals across 100+ countries and territories. She specializes in global passport photo requirements, ICAO-compliant photo standards, and biometric image verification.
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Data sources: US Department of State passport processing (FY2024), UK Home Office annual report (2023), NIST FRVT Part 3: Demographic Effects (March 2024), ICAO Doc 9303 photo specifications. Pricing based on publicly listed rates as of July 2026.