Russian passport photos must meet specific size requirements set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID). These requirements follow international ICAO standards and apply to both internal Russian passports and foreign passports (zagranpassport) used for international travel.
The standard dimension is 35×45 millimeters (approximately 1.38×1.77 inches). At 300 DPI, this translates to 413×531 pixels. Getting the correct size is the foundation — but you must also meet head-height, positioning, background, and appearance requirements.
Digital Specifications for Russian Passport Photo Size
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm / 1.38 inches / 413px |
| Height | 45mm / 1.77 inches / 531px |
| Aspect Ratio | 7:9 |
| Minimum DPI | 300 |
| File Format | JPEG |
| Colour Space | sRGB |
| Background | White (#FFFFFF) |
These requirements apply to both internal passports and zagranpassports.
Get a compliant passport photo online
Russian Passport Photo Head Height: The 60–80% Rule
Russia requires the applicant's head to occupy 60–80% of the photo's vertical height:
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At 45mm total height, your head should be approximately 27–36mm from chin to crown
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Target 70–75% for safe positioning within the acceptable range
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Measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (hair included if it extends above the skull)
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Too small (under 60%): Rejected — insufficient facial detail for biometric algorithms
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Too large (over 80%): Rejected — face extends too close to the photo edges
Glasses and Appearance Rules for Russian Passport Photos
Russia allows glasses in passport photos. Prescription eyeglasses may be worn, provided:
- The frames do not obscure your eyes or eyebrows
- There is no glare or reflection on the lenses
- Lenses are clear — sunglasses and tinted lenses are not permitted
- The frames are not excessively thick or colourful
If your glasses produce glare, adjust the lighting angle or tilt your head slightly. You may also simply remove them — wearing glasses is permitted, not required.
Expression must be neutral with mouth closed. No smiling, no frowning, no raised eyebrows. Both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
Hair must not cover the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes. Long hair should be tucked behind the ears.
Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons. The face must remain fully visible from chin to forehead without shadows.
Heavy makeup, filters, or digital retouching that alters your natural appearance will result in rejection.
Russian Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries
| Country | Print Size | Pixels (300 DPI) | Head Height | Background | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | White | ✅ Allowed |
| Germany | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | Light grey | ✅ Conditional |
| France | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | White | ❌ Banned |
| Poland | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | White | ✅ Allowed |
| United Kingdom | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 64–76% | Light grey | ✅ Conditional |
| United States | 51×51mm | 600×600 | 50–69% | White | ❌ Banned |
Russia shares the 35×45mm format with most European countries. Background, glasses, and head height all match EU standards closely. The main practical difference for Russian citizens traveling in Europe: Germany and the UK use light grey backgrounds rather than white, so photos taken abroad for those countries may not meet Russian requirements.
Common Russian Passport Photo Sizing Mistakes
Wrong aspect ratio. Cameras default to 4:3 or 16:9. Russia requires 7:9. Always crop to the correct ratio before resizing to 413×531px.
Selfie perspective. Taking the photo at arm's length creates barrel distortion, especially around the nose. Use a tripod, mirror, or have someone else take the photo from 1.2–1.5 metres away.
Head too small. Taking the photo from too far away pushes head height below 60%. Move closer or zoom in to fill more of the frame.
Low resolution. Never upscale a smaller image to 413×531px. This creates artefacts visible to both automated checks and human reviewers. Always capture at full resolution and crop down.
Outdated photos. Photos must be taken within the last six months. Russian authorities check recency carefully.
Glasses glare. Since Russia allows glasses, many applicants keep them on but forget about lens reflections. Adjust lighting to eliminate glare before shooting.
Where to Get Correctly Sized Russian Passport Photos
MFC (Multifunctional Centres). МФЦ offices in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and other cities offer passport photo services alongside document processing. Staff know the exact requirements. Convenient for combining with the application itself.
Professional photo studios (фотоателье). Dedicated studios near MFC or passport offices handle high volumes and know the specifications. Prices range from ₽200–500 for a set of prints plus digital file.
Photo kiosks. Self-service photo booths in metro stations, shopping centres, and post offices offer passport photos. Prices around ₽150–300. Quality varies — check the preview carefully before printing.
Gosuslugi digital upload. When applying through the Gosuslugi (Госуслуги) portal, you upload a digital photo directly. Ensure the file meets JPEG format, 413×531px minimum, and the file size falls within the portal's limits (typically 200KB–500KB). The system includes automated checks that reject non-compliant photos.
Russian citizens abroad. Russian embassies and consulates accept passport applications with photos taken locally. In cities with large Russian communities — Berlin, London, New York, Tel Aviv, Dubai — studios near the consulate typically know the 35×45mm format. Confirm the background is white (not grey) before accepting.
DIY at home. Stand against a plain white wall with soft, even lighting. Use indirect natural light from a window. Shoot at full camera resolution from 1.2–1.5 metres, at chest level, and crop to exactly 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI. Position your head to fill 70–75% of the frame.
Russian Passport Photo Size for Babies and Children
Infants and young children must meet the same 35×45mm size requirement, with practical allowances:
Newborns and infants (under 1). Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. Eyes should ideally be open, though some leniency is given for very young infants. No toys, hands, or pacifiers in the frame. Babies who cannot sit independently may be photographed while lying down.
Toddlers (1–5). Seat the child against a white background using a car seat or high chair. An assistant can hold the child's attention with a toy above the camera — the toy must not appear in the photo. The child's face must fill 60–80% of the frame. Both ears should be visible.
Children's passports in Russia have shorter validity than adult passports. Photos must reflect the child's current appearance. A new photo is always required at renewal.
Size Rules for Internal Passport vs Zagranpassport
Both documents require identical photo specifications:
- Same dimensions: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI)
- Same head height: 60–80%
- Same background: white
- Same expression and appearance rules
When applying for a zagranpassport from outside Russia at an embassy or consulate, the same standards apply.
Verifying Your Russian Passport Photo Size Before Submission
Before submitting, verify:
- Dimensions: exactly 35×45mm at 300 DPI (413×531 pixels)
- Head height: 60–80% of the vertical frame
- Background: white (#FFFFFF) with no shadows or gradients
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- Glasses: if worn, no glare or obstruction
- Recency: taken within the last six months
Use our passport photo checker to validate your image before submitting your application.
For background colour rules, see our guide on Russian passport photo background requirements. View all Russian passport photo specifications on the Russia passport photo hub.
