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The Challenge
Russia requires 35×45mm photos for both passport and visa applications with strict head height (32–36mm), 5mm top margin, and 600 DPI minimum. Passport requires white background, visa requires light grey. Paper must be glossy—not matte. Wrong background colour or paper type = automatic rejection.
Passport and visa use DIFFERENT backgrounds
- Passport (internal + international): WHITE background required
- Visa (traditional + e-visa): LIGHT GREY background required
- Same 35×45mm dimensions and head positioning for both
- Using wrong background colour = automatic rejection
- Paper: Glossy or plain—matte paper is NOT accepted for Russian documents
Russian passport and visa photo requirements
Russia uses 35×45mm photos for all government ID applications: internal passport, international passport (zagranpasport), traditional visa, and unified e-visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies head height 32–36mm from chin to crown with exactly 5mm (±1mm) free space above the crown. Photos must be taken within 6 months, in colour, at minimum 600 DPI print resolution. Critical difference: passport applications require white background, while visa applications (including e-visa) require light grey background. Both require glossy, plain, or opaque paper—matte paper will be rejected. The Gosuslugi portal accepts digital uploads at 826×1063 pixels in JPEG format between 240KB and 5MB.
Russian photo requirements — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with head height 32–36mm chin to crown
- 5mm (±1mm) free space above crown to top of photo
- White background for passport OR light grey for visa
- Taken within last 6 months reflecting current appearance
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
- No coloured contact lenses that change natural eye colour
- No glasses unless medically required (no glare, no tinted lenses, thin frames)
- No uniforms, no outerwear, no scarves covering chin
- Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons (face visible forehead to chin)
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI minimum for digital submission
- Colour photo (black and white accepted but colour strongly preferred)
- Printed on glossy, plain, or opaque paper—NOT matte
- No retouching, filters, or digital manipulation
- No red-eye, no shadows on face or background
Common rejection reasons
- Wrong background colour (white for visa or grey for passport)
- Head size outside 32–36mm range or top margin not 5mm
- Printed on matte paper instead of glossy or plain
- Wearing coloured contact lenses that alter eye colour
- Wearing uniform or outerwear (coats, jackets)
- Scarf or turtleneck covering chin area
- Glasses with thick frames covering eyes or causing glare
- Shadows on face or background from uneven lighting
- Photo older than 6 months or not reflecting current appearance
- Low resolution causing pixelation (below 600 DPI)
- Digital file outside 240KB–5MB range for Gosuslugi upload
- Photo has been retouched, filtered, or digitally manipulated
How to print Russian passport and visa photos at home
- Paper: Use glossy or plain photo paper. Russian authorities explicitly reject matte paper—this differs from most countries.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode, 600 DPI minimum.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4–6 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 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Attachment: Glue photo to application form using adhesive or double-sided tape. Do NOT use staples.
- Alternative: Print at local photo studio. Specify '35×45mm on glossy paper' with white or grey background depending on document type.
Gosuslugi digital passport application
Russia's State Services portal (Gosuslugi) accepts digital photo uploads for international passport applications. Required format: JPEG, 826×1063 pixels minimum at 600 DPI, file size between 240KB and 5MB. White background required. The Gosuslugi automated system checks dimensions, head positioning, and background compliance. Photos rejected by the system must be corrected and resubmitted. For biometric passports (10-year), the photo for the passport itself is taken at the migration office—the digital upload is for the application form only. For non-biometric passports (5-year), the uploaded photo is used on the passport.
Russian e-Visa photo requirements
The unified e-visa system at evisa.kdmid.ru requires a digital face photo in JPEG format. The recommended resolution is 450×600 pixels. The photo must have a plain light-coloured background (light grey preferred), show the applicant alone with no foreign objects visible, taken within 6 months. The e-visa is valid for 120 days with a maximum 30-day stay. E-visa photo requirements are verified during processing—incorrect photos are returned within 2 calendar days with specific error notes. This tool generates a higher-resolution digital export that exceeds the minimum e-visa requirements.
Russian passport photo vs visa photo differences
Taking passport photos of babies and children
- Lay baby on white sheet (passport) or light grey sheet (visa) on a flat surface.
- Use natural window light or even overhead lighting. Avoid direct flash causing red-eye.
- Photograph from directly above with baby's face centred in frame.
- Baby must be the only person in photo—no hands, toys, or supports visible.
- Eyes should be open and mouth closed. Remove pacifiers before shooting.
- Russian law requires individual photo per applicant including infants.
- Take 10–20 shots to get one compliant photo—normal for babies.
- Children follow identical specifications as adults: 35×45mm, 32–36mm head height.
Internal passport vs international passport photos
Russia issues two types of passport: the internal passport (used domestically from age 14) and the international passport or zagranpasport (for travel abroad). Both use identical 35×45mm photos with white background. For the 10-year biometric international passport, the actual passport photo is captured at the migration office using their equipment—the applicant only submits a digital photo with the Gosuslugi application. For the 5-year non-biometric passport and the internal passport, the submitted photo is used on the document itself, making quality and compliance even more critical.
Cost comparison: professional vs DIY
- Photo studio in Moscow/St Petersburg: ₽300–600 ($3–6) for 4–6 photos
- Photo booth at metro station: ₽200–400 ($2–4) for 4 photos
- MFC (multifunctional centre) photo service: ₽200–350 ($2–4)
- This tool: Free—download digital for Gosuslugi or print at home
- Home printing cost: ₽30–80 ($0.30–0.80) per sheet on glossy paper
- For families or multiple documents (passport + visa): savings multiply quickly
Paper type: why glossy matters for Russia
Unlike most Western countries that prefer matte paper, Russian authorities specifically require glossy, plain, or opaque photo paper. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that relief or raster paper structures are not acceptable. Many competitor tools incorrectly recommend matte paper for Russian photos—this will cause rejection. When printing at home, use standard glossy photo paper. When ordering from a print shop, explicitly request glossy finish. This is one of the most common mistakes for applicants familiar with EU or UK photo requirements where matte is standard.
Official Russian Government Resources
- e-Visa Application Portal — Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official unified e-visa application system for the Russian Federation
- Gosuslugi — State Services Portal Apply for Russian internal and international passports online
- Consular Department — MFA Photo Requirements Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download Digital or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 32–36 mm (71–80% of frame)
- Top Margin
- 5 mm (±1 mm) above crown
- Background (Passport)
- White
- Background (Visa)
- Light grey
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Glossy, plain, or opaque (NOT matte)
- Valid For
- Internal passport, international passport, visa, e-visa
Best Practices
- Passport = white background, Visa = light grey background—this is the most critical difference
- Russian documents require glossy or plain paper—matte paper will be rejected (unlike UK/EU)
- Head must be 32–36mm with exactly 5mm (±1mm) space above crown
- Coloured contact lenses that change natural eye colour are explicitly prohibited
- No uniforms, outerwear, or scarves covering the chin area
- For Gosuslugi uploads: JPEG format, 826×1063px, file size 240KB–5MB
- For e-visa portal: JPEG, 450×600px recommended, light-coloured background
- Photos can be colour or black-and-white, but colour is strongly recommended
- Head coverings allowed only for religious or medical reasons—face must be visible from forehead to chin
- Don't grow or shave a beard specifically for the photo—it must reflect your everyday appearance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Russian passport photo requirements?
Russian passport photos must be 35×45mm with white background, head height 32–36mm from chin to crown, 5mm space above the crown, taken within 6 months. Neutral expression, no coloured contact lenses, no uniform. Print on glossy or plain paper at 600 DPI. Digital submission via Gosuslugi: 826×1063 pixels JPEG, 240KB–5MB.
What background colour for Russian visa photos?
Russian visa photos require light grey background. This is different from passport photos which require white background. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies grey for visa applications. Some consulates may accept white, but light grey is the official requirement—use grey to avoid any risk of rejection.
Can I use the same photo for Russian passport and visa?
Not recommended. Passport requires white background, visa requires light grey. While dimensions are identical (35×45mm), the background difference means you should create separate photos for each application type. Using the wrong background is a common rejection reason.
What paper type for Russian passport photos?
Glossy, plain, or opaque photo paper. Russian authorities explicitly reject matte paper and any paper with relief or raster texture. This is different from UK, Ireland, and many EU countries where matte is preferred. Always use glossy finish for Russian documents.
What are the digital photo requirements for Gosuslugi?
Gosuslugi accepts JPEG files at minimum 826×1063 pixels (600 DPI), file size between 240KB and 5MB, white background. The system performs automated validation checking dimensions, head positioning, and background. Rejected photos are returned with specific error descriptions.
What are Russian e-visa photo requirements?
The e-visa portal at evisa.kdmid.ru requires JPEG format, recommended 450×600 pixels, plain light-coloured background (light grey preferred), taken within 6 months. Photo must show applicant alone with no foreign objects. Processing takes up to 4 calendar days; photo errors are flagged within 2 days.
Can I wear glasses in Russian passport photos?
Only if medically required. Glasses must have thin frames that don't cover eyes, no tinted lenses, no glare or reflections. It is recommended to remove glasses if possible. Coloured contact lenses that change natural eye colour are explicitly prohibited.
How recent must Russian photos be?
Within the last 6 months. The photo must reflect your current appearance. If you have changed hairstyle, grown or shaved a beard, or your appearance has otherwise changed significantly, you need a new photo.
Can I use black and white photos for Russian passport?
Technically yes—Russian regulations accept both colour and black-and-white photos. However, colour is strongly recommended and universally expected. Black-and-white photos may raise questions at some offices. Always use colour unless you have a specific reason not to.
What is the head height requirement for Russian photos?
Head must measure 32–36mm from chin to crown (71–80% of the 45mm frame height). There must be exactly 5mm (±1mm) of free space between the crown and the top edge of the photo. Use the crop guidelines to position head correctly.
What pixel size for Russian passport photos?
826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI for print-quality photos and Gosuslugi digital submission. For e-visa portal, 450×600 pixels is recommended. This tool generates the higher resolution suitable for both print and digital use.
Are there different requirements for children's photos in Russia?
Children follow the same 35×45mm specifications as adults. Each child must have an individual photo—no group photos. For infants, photograph from above on a plain sheet matching the required background colour. Eyes should be open and mouth closed. Take multiple shots as babies are difficult to photograph compliantly.