Russia passport photo rules from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
Russian passport photographs are governed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) through its Main Directorate for Migration Affairs (GUVM). The current biometric specification is codified in MVD Order No. 186 of 31 March 2021 for international (zagranpasport) passports, with MVD Order No. 773 of 16 November 2020 covering the domestic internal passport. The same 35×45 mm photograph is used across the international biometric passport, the older 5 year international passport, the domestic passport, and visa applications processed by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MVD specification is enforced strictly. Photographs that fail any codified rule, including the facial oval visibility requirement (овал лица), the neutral expression mandate, or the prohibition on uniforms and colored contact lenses, are rejected at submission. For the 5 year international passport and the domestic passport, the issuing officer physically stamps an ink seal across the bottom corner of the print, which is why matte photographic paper is required and why nothing may be written on the back of the photo.
Photographs must reflect the applicant’s current appearance and may be no more than six months old at the time of application. Significant changes in appearance require a new photograph regardless of the date the previous one was taken. Non compliance results in rejection of the application and a return trip to the MVD office or consulate.
Russian Passport Photo Requirements
The MVD enforces these subject-side rules under Order No. 186. Anything covered by hair, headwear, or accessories that hides the facial oval is grounds for rejection.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe expression must be strictly neutral. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not permitted.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be fully closed with no teeth visible.
- Eyes openBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking directly at the lens.
- Frontal head positionThe head must face the camera squarely with no yaw, pitch, or roll. Three-quarter and tilted poses are rejected.
- Shoulders squareShoulders must be square to the camera and the tops of the shoulders must be visible in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are accepted only when worn daily for medical reasons. Frames must be thin and must not cover any part of the eyes.
- Lens glareNo reflections or flash glare may appear on the lenses. Any visible glare causes rejection.
- Tinted lensesTinted, photochromic, or sunglasses lenses are prohibited. The eyes must be plainly visible through the lenses.
- Colored contact lensesDecorative and colored contact lenses are prohibited under MVD Order 186. Clear prescription contacts are permitted.
Hair
- Facial oval visibleThe facial oval (овал лица), covering chin, cheeks, eyes, eyebrows, and forehead, must be fully visible. Hair may not cross the eyes or eyebrows.
- Bangs and fringesBangs covering the eyebrows or eyes are not permitted. Fringes must be pinned back so the forehead and brow line are exposed.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs are accepted only when worn as part of daily appearance and only when they do not obscure facial features.
- Hair shadowsHair must not cast shadows on the face. Voluminous styles that shade the eyes or cheeks cause rejection.
Headwear
- General ruleHats and head coverings are prohibited.
- Religious exceptionReligious head coverings are accepted when worn daily. The face must remain fully visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.
- Niqabs and face coveringsAny garment that conceals facial features is prohibited, including niqabs.
- Color and patternPermitted headwear must be a plain, single color with no patterns and must not cast shadows onto the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- Small jewelryDiscreet earrings, necklaces, and small facial piercings are accepted when they do not obscure features or cast shadows.
- Hair accessoriesClips, bands, and ornaments extending beyond the head outline are prohibited.
- ElectronicsHeadphones, wireless earbuds, and Bluetooth headsets must be removed before the photo is taken.
Cosmetics
- Makeup levelOnly natural, light makeup is accepted. Heavy makeup that alters the biometric shape of the face is prohibited.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes and heavy contouring around the eyes are prohibited.
- Facial tattoosPermanent facial tattoos must remain visible. Temporary coverage that hides them is not accepted.
Clothing
- UniformsMilitary, police, and any uniform or uniform-resembling clothing is prohibited under MVD Order 186 (в форменной одежде).
- Collars and outerwearTurtlenecks, high collars, scarves covering the chin, and heavy outerwear are prohibited. The neckline and jawline must be visible.
- Contrast with backgroundClothing must contrast with the white background. Wearing white or very light tops against the white backdrop is not accepted.
- Religious dressReligious and cultural garments are accepted provided the facial oval remains fully visible.
Photo quality
- Sharp focusThe subject must remain still during capture. Motion blur on the face causes rejection.
- No red-eyeRed-eye is grounds for rejection. The MVD does not accept software red-eye correction, so the photo must be retaken if red-eye appears.
- No facial shadowsEven lighting on the face is required. Shadows cast by hair, hats, or overhead lighting cause rejection.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 31 mm and 35 mm (roughly 70–77% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 4–6 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
Russian regulations do not provide age-based behavioral leniency. Infants must meet the same biometric standards as adults.
All ages (including infants)
MVD Order 186 contains no age-based exceptions. Infants and young children must satisfy every adult requirement.
- Eyes openThe infant must have both eyes open and looking toward the camera. Closed or partially closed eyes are not accepted.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be closed with a neutral expression, even for newborns.
- No support visibleHands, arms, pillows, car seats, and any other supports must not appear anywhere in the frame.
- Head positionThe head must face the camera squarely with no tilt. For very young infants, lay the child on a flat white surface and capture from directly above.
Country-specific details to know.
A few rules unique to Russian practice deserve attention before you submit.
Photo recency
The photograph must be taken within six months of the application date. Any significant change in appearance before submission requires a fresh photograph regardless of the calendar date.
Matte paper for stamping
Domestic passports and five-year international passports are issued with an MVD ink seal stamped across the bottom corner of the photograph. Matte photographic paper is required so the ink does not smear. Glossy prints are rejected for these document types.
No staples on the form
When the printed photograph is attached to a visa or passport application, it must be affixed with glue or double-sided tape. Stapling the photograph to the form causes automatic rejection.
Uniform prohibition
MVD Order 186 specifically forbids photographs taken in uniform (в форменной одежде). This covers military, police, security service, and any clothing that resembles an official uniform, even for applicants whose daily attire is a uniform.
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Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- High-quality photographic paper with a matte finish.
- Inkjet printing is not accepted. Use a professional photo lab.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.