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Russia Passport Photo Size 2025

When applying for your passport, it's crucial to get the size right for your Russian passport photo. The photo should measure 3.5 x 4.5 cm and be either in black and white or in color. Ensure your face is visible without glasses or a headdress unless it's consistent with your foreign nationality or religious practice. Keep reading if you need more information about the specific requirements for Russian passport photos.

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When obtaining or renewing a Russian passport, it is important to ensure that your passport photo meets the specified dimensions. In Russia, passport photos must adhere to clear requirements regarding their size, background, and quality. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these guidelines to avoid any delays or complications during the passport application process.

Here are the full rules for the Russia passport photo:1

  • Size: The required photograph size is 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
  • Recency: The photo must be taken within the last six months.
  • Composition: The person should occupy 70 to 80% of the photo, avoiding standing too far back or too close.
  • Background: Choose a plain white background.
  • Head Positioning: The head should not be angled or slanted; the person must face forward directly to the camera.
  • Facial Image: The photo must feature a clear full-face image of the individual.
  • Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression with a closed mouth.
  • Eyewear: Glasses are not allowed in the photo.
  • Tinted Lenses: Tinted lenses on glasses are not permitted.
  • Headdress: Generally, individuals should not wear a headdress in the photo.
  • Exception for Foreign Citizens: Foreign citizens, for whom wearing a headdress is a constant attribute of their nationality or religious affiliation, are allowed to wear it in the passport photograph.
  • Documentation Requirement: If a headdress is worn, it must be consistently depicted in the passport photograph for foreign citizens.
Russia Passport
Click the photo to view the full-size Russia passport photo-size infographic.

Visas for Future Passport Photo Service

Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in, and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home. For every product sold, we plant a tree!


How it works

Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.

How to take your passport photo

Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:

1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.

2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!

3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.

4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred, but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.


Benefits of using an online passport photo service

There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo, but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:

  1. You don’t have to leave your house.
  2. We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
  3. We validate your photo and check your passport photo to ensure it is in order.
  4. Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.

Why choose us

Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:

  • Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
  • Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
  • Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, which will make your trip-planning process easier.
  • Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
  • Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.

Sample of passport photo for Russia

Here are sample images of correct and incorrect Russia passport photos.2

The size, clarity, and standard of the picture needed for a Russian passport

Size:

  • The required size is 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″).

Clarity:

  • The photo should be clear, sharp, and focused, showing all facial features distinctly.
  • Avoid blurriness, fuzziness, or pixelation.

Standards:

  • Color: Use a color photo that accurately shows your natural skin tones and hair color; black and white photos are not accepted.
  • Head Position: Keep your head straight, facing the camera directly.
  • Head Size and Framing: Your head should fill 70-80% of the photo frame with equal space on both sides.
  • Expression: Maintain a neutral face with closed lips and open eyes; no smiling, squinting, or tilting.
  • Background: Use a plain white or light-colored background without patterns, designs, or shadows.
  • Clothing: Wear shoulder-covering clothes, avoid busy patterns or sleeveless tops, and opt for neutral colors.
  • Headwear: Generally not allowed, except for religious reasons, with a required statement from a religious leader.
  • Accessories: Remove headwear (except religious), jewelry, scarves, or glasses (unless medically necessary with a doctor’s note).
  • Red-eye: Ensure there is no red-eye in the photo.
  • Scratches and Creases: The photo should be free of any scratches, creases, or damage.
  • Printing: Use high-quality photo paper.

Additional Points:

  • Digital Photos: For online applications, use a digital image in .jpg, .png, or .bmp format, under 300kB, and with a resolution of 600DPI.
  • Writing on the Back: Write your full name and date of birth on the back of each photo.

The right background shade, facial expression, and clothing rules for the Russian passport picture

Background:

  • Color: Use a plain white or light-colored background. Don’t include any patterns, designs, shadows, or gradients.
  • Shade: Use a neutral white or light gray shade that doesn’t cast reflections or shadows on your face. Avoid warm or cool tones, as they may alter your skin tone.
  • Examples: Opt for a white wall, a light-colored bedsheet as a backdrop, or a professional studio background.

Facial Expression:

  • Neutral: Keep a calm expression with your mouth closed and lips together. Avoid smiling, frowning, squinting, or tilting your head.
  • Direct Gaze: Look straight at the camera with open and relaxed eyes.
  • Natural: Go for a natural look without excessive makeup or hairstyles that drastically change your appearance.

Clothing:

  • Coverage: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and upper chest. Avoid sleeveless tops or tank tops.
  • Patterns: Steer clear of busy patterns, large stripes, or distracting logos. Choose solid colors or subtle patterns.
  • Neutrals: Opt for neutral colors such as black, white, blue, or gray. Avoid bright or neon shades that might overshadow your face.
  • Religious Attire: If you wear religious attire, it’s allowed, but make sure it doesn’t cover your face or obscure any facial features.

What steps do I need to take to obtain a passport picture that complies with the Russian requirements?

Here’s a simple guide on how to get a passport photo that follows the Russian rules:

Preparation:

  1. Review the requirements: Understand the official Russian passport photo rules by checking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or embassies.
  2. Gather materials: Get a plain white or light background, wear appropriate clothing, and use a high-quality camera.
  3. Schedule the session: Take the photo yourself or go to a photographer who knows the Russian rules.

Taking the photo:

  1. Lighting and background: Avoid shadows and use a plain background.
  2. Positioning and expression: Stand straight and face the camera with a neutral expression; no smiling, squinting, or tilting your head.
  3. Clothing: Wear shoulder-covering, neutral-colored clothes.
  4. Head size and framing: Center your head, taking up 70-80% of the frame.
  5. Hair: Keep it away from your face; no head coverings except for religious reasons.
  6. Accessories: Remove headwear, jewelry, scarves, or glasses (unless medically necessary).
  7. Photo quality: Clear, focused, and free of red-eye, scratches, or creases on high-quality paper.

Additional tips:

  • Take multiple photos to ensure you get a good one.
  • Print in the correct size (35mm x 45mm) on high-quality paper.
  • Write your name and birthdate on the back of each photo.
  • Check specific requirements for your passport or visa type.

Alternatives:

  • Professional studios and pharmacies offer Russian-compliant passport photo services.
  • Some online services edit your photo to meet specifications but ensure their reliability and quality paper printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the passport photo 2×2 or 4×6?

No, a passport photo is not typically 2×2 or 4×6. It’s important to use the exact size your issuing authority requires to avoid delays in processing your passport application.

Is 2×2 the same as passport size?

No, 2×2 is not the same as passport size. While 2×2 inches is a common format for passport photos in some countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is not universally accepted.


  1. Consular Information. (2017). Registration and issuance of a visa to enter Russia. Kdmid.ru, Retrieved February 25, 2024, <https://www.kdmid.ru/cons/visas/> []
  2. Government Digital Service. (11 October 2012). Get a Passport Photo. GOV.UK. Retrieved February 25, 2024. <https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports/photo-requirements#:~:text=The%20size%20of%20your%20printed,version%20of%20a%20larger%20picture> []

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Wences Orcales
Written by

Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.

Glen Vidania
Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Glen Vidania
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MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "Russia Passport Photo Size 2025." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/russian-passport-photo-size/. Accessed on 23 September 2023.

Chicago Style

Orcales, Wences. "Russia Passport Photo Size 2025." Visas For Future. September 23, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/russian-passport-photo-size/.

Published: 23 Sep 2023 5:29 UTC

Last modified: 23 Mar 2024 6:53 UTC

Reading time: 8 minutes

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