head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceSocial Fund of Russia (SFR)
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Russia pension certificate photo size is 21 × 30 mm. Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 21 × 30 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 21 × 30 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 2.1 × 3 cm |
| Inches | 0.83 × 1.18″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 248 × 354 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 496 × 709 px |
Russia pension certificate photos are reviewed by the issuing authority against the specifications shown in the table above. Both digital and physical submissions are checked for background colour, head position, lighting quality and file format before the document is processed.
Meet all specifications listed above before submitting. A photo that fails a single criterion — even a background shade variation — delays the entire application. The tool prepares the file to match the profile shown on this page.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Russia pension certificate applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain light
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: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 21 × 30 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
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″ | 21 (7 × 3) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 98 (7 × 14) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Social Fund of Russia (SFR) |
|---|---|
| Source | SFR regional page: pension certificate photograph |
| Verified |
Questions
All requirements are in the table above. Format: 21 × 30 mm. Head height: 70–80%. Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients.
Yes. Use a flat, plain wall, natural daylight from a window in front of you, and the rear camera of a phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. Removing glasses for the photo eliminates the risk of glare causing rejection, especially in automated pre-screening systems.
Most document authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Use a fresh photo even if the rules technically allow older ones — recency reduces the risk of appearance-mismatch rejection.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
21 × 30 mm = 2.1 × 3 cm = 0.83 × 1.18 inches. At 300 dpi that is 248 × 354 pixels; at 600 dpi, 496 × 709 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.