head up to 80 %
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SourceMinistry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia)
Verified
Quick answer: A Russia citizenship application photo must be 30 × 40 mm. Even white background without stripes, spots, foreign objects, or shadows. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 30 × 40 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | Even white background without stripes, spots, foreign objects, or shadows. Make photo background white — Russia citizenship application → |
| Pose | Strictly full face, looking straight ahead. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, eyes open, hair not covering the eyes. |
| Glasses | Glasses without tinted lenses; the eyes are clearly visible and the frames do not cover them. Dark glasses and an eye bandage only for medical reasons. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows on the background. |
| Head covering | Headwear is allowed only for religious reasons and must not hide the oval of the face. |
| Attire | No uniform, outerwear or scarves covering part of the chin. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 30 × 40 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3 × 4 cm |
| Inches | 1.18 × 1.57″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 354 × 472 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 709 × 945 px |
Photo rules for applications on Russian citizenship are set by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Appendix 1 to MVD Order No. 125 of 21.03.2024 (registered by the Ministry of Justice on 24.04.2024, No. 77973; as amended on 30.09.2025). The photograph is 3 × 4 cm (30 × 40 mm), shows the head and the upper part of the shoulders in close-up, and the distance from the crown to the chin must not exceed 80 % of the height of the whole frame.
The applicant is shown strictly full-face, looking straight ahead, matching their age on the day of filing, against a plain white background without stripes, spots, foreign objects or shadows; the eyes are open and not covered by hair, and a uniform, outerwear or a scarf covering part of the chin is not accepted. People who wear glasses all the time are photographed in glasses with untinted lenses; dark glasses or an eye bandage are allowed only for medical reasons.
Headwear that does not hide the oval of the face is accepted for religious reasons.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Russia citizenship application applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: up to 80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 30 × 40 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, eyes open, hair not covering the eyes
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 10 (5 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 49 (7 × 7) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
Questions
The Russia citizenship application photo must be 30 × 40 mm. Naturalisation and citizenship certificate photos use the same biometric standard as Russia passports.
Most citizenship authorities require photos taken within the last three to six months. Because citizenship documents are issued once and used for decades, submit a photo that genuinely reflects your current appearance, not a stylised portrait.
Even white background without stripes, spots, foreign objects, or shadows. The photo will be printed on official documents and digitally archived — even minor background issues become permanent in the record. Use a flat, evenly lit wall with no objects or shadows.
Glasses without tinted lenses; the eyes are clearly visible and the frames do not cover them. Dark glasses and an eye bandage only for medical reasons. Citizenship documents are checked at immigration, banking and government offices over the document's lifetime. Removing glasses for the photo prevents future verification problems.
It does not need to be identical, but must show the same person clearly. Significant differences in hair, facial hair or weight may prompt the citizenship authority to request a new photo or in-person verification.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Russia citizenship authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
30 × 40 mm = 3 × 4 cm = 1.18 × 1.57 inches. At 300 dpi that is 354 × 472 pixels; at 600 dpi, 709 × 945 pixels.
Headwear is allowed only for religious reasons and must not hide the oval of the face. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.