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The Challenge
Belarus requires 40×50mm passport photos with light grey background—not white. Authorities crop the photo to 35×45mm themselves. Head height must be 32-36mm. Professional services charge $15-25. Rejected photos mean resubmission delays of 2-4 weeks.
Belarus passport photos require GREY background—not white
- Belarusian passport photos must have a plain light grey background
- White backgrounds are accepted for visa photos but NOT for passports
- Many online services incorrectly state white background—this causes rejections
- Authorities will crop the 40×50mm photo to 35×45mm—submit at full 40×50mm size
Belarus passport photo requirements explained
The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) requires 40×50mm photos for passport applications. The photo is submitted at 40×50mm but authorities crop it to 35×45mm for the passport document. This means precise head positioning is critical—centering errors that would be acceptable at 40×50mm become rejectable after cropping. The light grey background is strictly enforced; white, cream, or coloured backgrounds will be rejected. Photos must be taken within 6 months and printed at 600 DPI minimum on photo-quality paper.
Belarus passport photo checklist—will your photo be accepted?
- 40×50mm dimensions (authorities crop to 35×45mm)
- Plain light grey background—no white, no patterns, no shadows
- Head height 32-36mm from chin to crown (64-72% of frame)
- Minimum 3mm gap between top of head and photo edge
- Taken within last 6 months
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and fully visible
- No glasses unless medical exemption with signed doctor's letter
- No hats or head coverings except for religious/medical reasons with documentation
- 944×1181 pixels at 600 DPI minimum
- Colour photo—black and white rejected
- No retouching, filters, or digital alterations
- No shadows on face or background
- Shoulders visible in frame
Common rejection reasons for Belarusian passport photos
- White background instead of required light grey
- Head height outside 32-36mm range (rejection after cropping to 35×45mm)
- Shadows visible on face or grey background
- Wearing glasses without medical documentation
- Photo older than 6 months
- Head not centred—critical because authorities crop the photo
- Low resolution causing pixelation at 600 DPI print
- Retouched or filtered photo (blemish removal, skin smoothing detected)
- Wearing uniform or non-everyday clothing
- Hair covering eyebrows or eyes
Why Belarus uses grey background instead of white
Belarus is one of few countries requiring light grey rather than white background for passport photos. The grey background provides better contrast for automated facial recognition systems used by Belarusian border control and the MVD. It also prevents pale-skinned applicants from blending into the background. When photographing at home, use a light grey wall or hang a light grey sheet. Pure white walls, common in most passport photo guides, will result in rejection for Belarusian passport applications.
How to print Belarus passport photos at home
- Paper: Use photo-quality paper (matte or glossy—both accepted for Belarusian passports).
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 40×50mm. Use ruler to confirm before submission.
- Alternative: Print at local photo shop. Specify '40×50mm passport photo on photo paper'.
Taking Belarus passport photos of babies and children
- Lay baby on plain light grey blanket or sheet on the floor (not white)
- Ensure only the child is visible—no hands, toys, or supports in frame
- Use natural window light or even overhead lighting, avoid flash
- Photograph from directly above with baby's face centred
- Eyes should be open (relaxed for infants under 1 year), mouth closed
- Remove pacifiers, toys, and bottles from frame
- Take 10-20 shots to get one compliant photo—normal for babies
- Shoulders must be visible in frame even for infants
Good vs bad Belarus passport photo examples
Belarus passport photo vs visa photo differences
Belarus uses different specifications for passports and visas. Passports require 40×50mm photos with light grey background. Visas require 35×45mm photos with white or light grey background. The passport photo is submitted at 40×50mm and cropped to 35×45mm by authorities. You cannot use a visa photo for a passport application—the dimensions are different. If applying for both passport and visa, you need two separate photos.
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional services
- Professional photo studio in Minsk: $8-15 for passport photos
- Photo services abroad (for diaspora applicants): $15-25
- This tool: Free—download and print at home or at any photo shop
- Home printing cost: $0.30-0.60 per sheet (photo paper + ink)
- Photo shop printing from file: $3-8 for custom size print
Official Belarusian Government Resources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Biometric Passport Information Biometric passport types, descriptions, and official sample documents
- MVD – Passport Photo Technical Requirements (Russian) Official MVD photo specifications for passport applications
- VFS Global – Belarus Passport Service Required documents for passport application, replacement, and registration
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 40×50 mm
- Resolution
- 944×1181 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 32-36 mm (64-72% of frame)
- Background
- Light grey (not white)
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte or glossy photo paper
- Quantity
- 1 photo required
- Valid For
- Belarusian passport, national ID
Best Practices
- Belarus requires GREY background for passports—white will be rejected. Most online guides get this wrong.
- Authorities crop your 40×50mm photo to 35×45mm—centre your head precisely or the crop will cut your face
- 40×50mm is larger than EU standard 35×45mm—verify dimensions before printing
- Both matte and glossy paper accepted for Belarusian passports
- Remove all glasses unless medical exemption with signed doctor's letter
- No retouching allowed—no blemish removal, skin smoothing, or filters
- Shoulders must be visible in the photo frame
- Use crop guidelines to ensure head height is 32-36mm—rejection if outside range
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Belarus passport photo requirements?
Belarusian passport photos must be 40×50mm with light grey background (not white), head height 32-36mm, taken within 6 months, printed at 600 DPI. Face centred, neutral expression, no glasses, no retouching. The authorities crop the photo to 35×45mm for the passport document.
Does Belarus require white or grey background for passport photos?
Light grey. This is one of the most common errors—many services and guides incorrectly state white background. Belarusian passport photos require plain light grey background without shadows. White background is accepted for visa photos but not passports.
Can I use EU 35×45mm photos for a Belarus passport?
No. Belarus requires 40×50mm for passports. The authorities crop the photo to 35×45mm themselves. Submitting 35×45mm photos will result in rejection because there's no cropping margin.
Why does Belarus crop passport photos from 40×50mm to 35×45mm?
The 40×50mm submission size provides a cropping margin for the authorities to ensure precise biometric positioning when producing the passport document. This is standard Belarusian procedure—submit at 40×50mm, they handle the final crop.
Can I use a Belarus passport photo for visa applications?
No. Passport photos are 40×50mm with grey background. Visa photos are 35×45mm with white or light grey background. Different dimensions and potentially different background colour. Separate photos required.
Can I wear glasses in Belarus passport photos?
No, unless medically required with a signed doctor's letter. Even with exemption: no tinted lenses, no glare or reflections, frames must not cover eyes.
What paper type for Belarus passport photos?
Both matte and glossy photo paper are accepted for Belarusian passport photos. Print at 600 DPI minimum for acceptable quality.
How recent must Belarus passport photos be?
Within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance. Photos older than 6 months will be rejected.
What's the pixel size for Belarus passport photos?
944×1181 pixels at 600 DPI. This ensures print quality meets MVD requirements. Lower resolution may cause pixelation and rejection.
Is retouching allowed on Belarus passport photos?
No. The photo must present your natural appearance without any enhancements, blemish removal, skin smoothing, or digital modifications. Retouched photos will be rejected.