head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceOfficial publication of legal acts / Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Russia residence permit photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background without shadows or foreign objects. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background without shadows or foreign objects. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Russian residence permit (VNZh / residence permit) photos are administered by MVD RF (Ministry of Internal Affairs) through territorial migration offices. The format is 35×45mm with head 32-36mm chin-to-crown (same as Russian foreign passport).
Russia-specific: two photos are required when applying for VNZh (more than the typical one). At submission, the applicant undergoes fingerprinting and live photo capture in addition to the submitted photos.
Glossy or opaque paper (matte rejected — same Russian rule as passport). Background plain white. Color photo only.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Russia residence permit photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected: some follow from the rules Official publication of legal acts / Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia publishes, the rest are the usual document-photo requirements. The table shows what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Only one photo submitted (two required) | Print second identical copy |
| Photo on matte paper | Reprint on glossy paper |
| Black-and-white photo | Re-shoot in color |
| Background not pure white | Re-shoot against white backdrop |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
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 35 × 45 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″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Official publication of legal acts / Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia |
|---|---|
| Source | Russian residence permit administrative regulation |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Russia residence permit photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Usually no older than six months; some immigration offices ask for a more recent one. Take a new photo that looks like you on the day you apply.
Plain light background without shadows or foreign objects. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Only if the size and rules are the same and the photo is still recent. Otherwise take a new one: the same selfie can be turned into photos for both documents.
Take a new photo: it should show how you look now — hairstyle, beard, glasses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Russia immigration office.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 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.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: temporary residence permit (RVP).