Russia passport photo size & requirements
Russian passport photos are 35 x 45 mm with a plain white or light-grey background and the face filling 70–80% of the frame.
Russia issues two types of passports: the internal passport (внутренний паспорт, for use within Russia and some CIS countries) and the international passport (загранпаспорт, for international travel). Both use the 35 x 45 mm biometric photo format, but the processing pathways differ. International passports are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (МВД) through its regional offices, and since 2020 the biometric international passport (with a 10-year validity) stores fingerprints and facial biometrics on an embedded chip.
Russia has a distinctive rule about glasses: they are permitted in Russian passport photos, but tinted lenses — including very lightly tinted prescription lenses — are not. Clear prescription glasses are allowed provided there is no glare on the lenses. Russia also has explicit rules about head coverings: they are only permitted for documented religious reasons (for example, for observant Muslim women), and the full face from chin to forehead must remain completely visible. The same photo format applies to Russian visas issued to foreign nationals, where the 35 x 45 mm white-background specification is used by Russian embassies and consulates worldwide.
- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm
- Resolution
- 300 DPI
- Head height
- Face fills 70–80% of the frame with about 5 mm above the head
- Background
- Plain white or light grey
Russia passport photo requirements
- Photo must be 35 x 45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the height.
- Plain white or light-grey background.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, facing the camera directly.
- Glasses are allowed only with clear lenses and no glare; tinted lenses are not permitted.
- No head coverings except for religious reasons, with the full face visible.
- Recent photo with even, shadow-free lighting.
Common reasons Russia passport photos get rejected
Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.
- Tinted lenses in glasses — even very light prescription tints are not permitted. Clear prescription glasses are allowed but must have no glare.
- Shadow on the background behind the head — Russia's biometric processing system flags background inconsistencies, and shadows from hair or clothing are among the most common rejection reasons.
- Head not facing the camera directly — slight head rotation of even a few degrees is flagged by the biometric check.
- Photo more than six months old or one that does not reflect current appearance (significant beard growth, hair colour change, substantial weight change).
- Background not uniformly white or light grey — coloured backgrounds, gradients, or any visible pattern are rejected.
- Photo printed on non-photographic paper — Russian МВД offices require glossy or semi-gloss photographic paper for submitted prints.
Make your Russia passport photo
Use our free passport size photo maker — select Russia from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (35 x 45 mm) and background settings for you.
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Select Russia in the tool to get the exact 35 x 45 mm preset.
Other countries
United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Albania 35 x 45 mm 
Australia 35 x 45 mm 
Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in 
Canada 50 x 70 mm 
China 33 x 48 mm 
France 35 x 45 mm 
Germany 35 x 45 mm 
Iceland 35 x 45 mm 
India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) 
Ireland 35 x 45 mm 
Italy 35 x 45 mm 
Japan 35 x 45 mm 
Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm 
Malaysia 35 x 50 mm 
Netherlands 35 x 45 mm 
New Zealand 35 x 45 mm 
Nigeria 35 x 45 mm 
Norway 35 x 45 mm 
Pakistan 35 x 45 mm 
Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) 
Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm 
Singapore 35 x 45 mm 
South Africa 35 x 45 mm 
South Korea 35 x 45 mm 
Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm 
Switzerland 35 x 45 mm 
Thailand 35 x 45 mm 
Turkey 50 x 60 mm 
United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm 
United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm 
Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)