A qualified biometric photo is essential to ensure a smooth passport application process. Many people are wondering where to get compliant photos. Walmart is a popular choice for photo services due to its widespread locations and affordable prices in Canada. This article will introduce whether Walmart makes Canadian passport photos and everything you need to know about Walmart passport photos in Canada, including requirements, process, pricing, and alternatives.
Does Walmart do Canadian Passport Photos?
Yes. You can order online or walk into a Walmart store directly to take a photo and print it out for any identity documents, including a passport. Walmart takes passport photos for customers of all ages, but only prints copies in-store. However, there are details of what it offers.
- Digital Passport Photo
Digital copies of passport photos are not available at Walmart. The staff will provide printed copies of 4-6. If you need a digital version for online applications, you can scan the printed photo or turn to an online ID photo maker.
- Baby & Infant Passport Photo
Walmart can take passport photos for newborns and children. However, it might be hard for them to cooperate with the photographer and take a perfect picture, as they might be too young to follow instructions. Therefore, it is suggested to ensure the child is in a good mood. Bring some toys to comfort them if possible.
- Stamp Passport Photo
Walmart will stamp the date of photo taking, name, and complete address of the store on the back of the photo, which is required by the Canadian passport office. It can help the authority to verify the authenticity and validity of the photo.
Walmart Passport Photo Requirements
Two (2) identical and unaltered photos are needed to apply for a Canadian passport. Both of them must meet the official standards. Key rules for Walmart passport photos are listed below.
- Photo age: taken within the last 6 months upon the date of application.
- Size: 50mm (width) x 70mm (height), equal to 2 inches x 2 3/4 inches.
- Image quality: clear, sharp, in focus, no contrasts, glare or reflections, and coloured or black-and-white with a plain background,
- Facial measurement: 31–36mm (1 1/4-1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown, taking up about 44%-51% of the frame.
- Facial expressions: neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed.
- Dressing: no headwear (unless for religious or medical reasons), no tinted or reflective glasses, no white clothes.
How to Take a Passport Photo at Walmart Canada?
Getting Walmart passport photos is quite straightforward. All you need is to walk into a nearby store and let the staff take a photo for you. Here is a specific instruction from finding a store to receiving the photo.
Find Passport Photo Locations Near Me
There are hundreds of Walmart stores throughout Canada. It’s easy to find that providing passport photos near me, even in small towns. Just head to the Walmart Store Finder, enter your postcode, click on the specific store, and check the store services. Only those equipped with “Walmar Photot Centre” can take ID photos. It is also recommended to contact the store in advance to confirm whether the service is available and whether prior appointments are needed.
Check Opening Hours
Most store opens between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. However, the specific opening hours of the photo centre may differ from general store hours, and they vary from store to store. After finding a nearby store, please click on the “View more details” hyperlink at the bottom of the “Store Service” page and check the specific time. To avoid waiting for too long, it is not advised to visit the store at peak hours, like 1-2 hours after opening.
Go to Photo Centre in Store
Tidy up your face and hair, put on decent clothes, and visit the photo centre during opening hours. If you have booked an appointment, remember to arrive on time. Go to the counter, tell what the photos are used for, and pay the Walmart passport photo price. Staff will guide you through the process. Here are some useful tips before going to the Walmart photo center.
- Do not wear white clothes. Solid dark colors like black, navy blue, gray, or brown are recommended. Shirts and
- Do not wear uniforms or clothes with busy patterns. Opt for a T-shirt, shirt, or blouse with a medium neckline.
- Have a good night’s sleep to make you look more refreshed. Light makeup is acceptable, but don’t alter your appearance or wear shiny makeup.
- Comb your hair well and keep it off your face.
Get Passport Picture Taken
The Walmart associates know how to take a good passport photo. They will take care of the lighting, background, photo quality, etc. Make sure to do as they said to pose in order to meet the official guidelines. For example, you have to stand still, let your arms hang naturally, look straight at the camera, and show a neutral facial expression. As for infants and babies, they may ask the parent to assist. Walmart usually takes a few shots at a time, and you can pick the most satisfactory one.
Pick up Passport Photo
You can get the printed copies on the spot. The photo is usually ready within 15 minutes. The waiting time might be longer if the store is busy. Remember to check whether the photo is intact and whether there is a required stamp of date, name, and address of the store on the back. Once you pick up the photos, keep them well and attach them to your application.
How Much does Walmart Passport Photo Cost
It costs $18.57 to order photo service on the Walmart website and have the order processed in-store. Two printed stamped passport photos will be provided. You can also take a passport picture at home and bring a digital copy to a Walmart store to print it out, which is much cheaper than full services.
Pros & Cons of Using Walmart for Canadian Passport Photo
Walmart passport photos are a popular choice for Canadians, but not the most convenient option nowadays. The comprehensive comparison below can help you decide whether it is suitable for you.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ● Widely spreading stores (hundreds of photo centres available nationwide). ● Lower cost than photographers’ studios. ● Well-trained staff to get acquainted with official photo rules. ● Clear prints on high-quality photo paper. ● Walk-in service allowed. | ● No digital photo option. ● Passport photo services unavailable in some stores. ● Short opening hours in some stores. |● Longer waiting time during peak hours. |
Alternative to Walmart Passport Photo in Canada
As stated before, Walmart might not be a good choice for those who apply online or who are too busy to visit the physical store. To save money or make ID photos at any time, we would recommend AI passport photo makers, for example, AiPassportPhotos, a web-based tool that creates fully compliant Canadian passport photos. With this tool, you just need to take a picture at home with your smartphone, upload it to the online portal, and let it adjust the picture to meet the official Canadian passport photo requirements.
The following features make AiPassportPhotos a better alternative to Walmart passport photos.
- Free of charge: try as many times as possible to get a perfect shot and make batches of photos for groups of people at a minimum cost.
- Automatic processing: automatically resize the photo to 50x70mm and replace the unsuitable background.
- AI verification: intelligently check face visibility, photo quality, dimensions, etc., to guarantee photo acceptance.
- 24/7 accessible: allows users to make photos at any time from anywhere.
- Printable template: a sheet of 4 photos for printout or a single digital photo for online application.
- Multiple document types: make biometric photos for passports, visas, ID cards, driver’s licenses, etc.
- Quick processing: it only takes about 15 seconds to generate a compliant passport picture.
FAQ
Q: How much is a passport photo at Shoppers Drug Mart?
A: It takes CAD 19.99 to get 2 printed Canadian passport photos at Shoppers Drug Mart, but photo services are not available at all stores. Please find the nearest store on the Pharmacy Location Maps and contact the store to confirm its services and opening hours.
Q: How much does Costco charge for passport photos?
A: Costco no longer takes passport photos, but you can still book photo printing services on Shutterfly, the Costco online portal, and wait for free door-to-door delivery. To save time and money, it is recommended to get a printable template with AiPassportPhotos for free and print it out at Costco. Each standard print costs $0.28 for a 4×6 print, $1.42 for a 5×7, and $3.75 for an 8×10.
Q: How much are passport photos at UPS Canada?
A: UPS usually charges $19.99 for 2 hard copies (stamped with date and address) or 1 digital copy (tax included). Just walk into a nearby UPS store and take a picture. Qualified passport photos will be ready within 5-10 minutes. They are guaranteed to meet the official specifications; otherwise, you can require the store associate to retake the photo for free.
Conclusion
Walmart remains a reliable and affordable option for taking passport photos near me in Canada. Simply walk into a local photo center at Walmart or other large pharmacies and UPS stores, and let the staff take a passport-style photo for you. However, if you have a limited budget, require a digital copy, or don’t want to visit a physical store, online services like AiPassportPhotos will be a better alternative to Walmart passport photos.
Erin Lo