Quick answer: A Russia visa photo must be 35 × 45 mm with if the official source does not publish a separate background rule, use a plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. Neutral expression, see glasses rule. Last verified .
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| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | If the official source does not publish a separate background rule, use a plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, no tilt. |
| 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. |
| Digital resolution | Check the authority portal before digital upload |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | Check the authority portal before upload |
Russia visa photos are administered by the **Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID / kdmid.ru)** via evisa.kdmid.ru and consular posts abroad. The format is 35×45mm with head 32-36mm (70-80% of frame). Background is LIGHT GREY (not white — different from Russian passport which requires white). Photo must be color (B&W rejected), neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open, taken within 6 months. Russian e-visa launched mid-2023 for ~50 nationalities — applicants upload a JPEG photo through the evisa.kdmid.ru portal.
| Authority | Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia |
|---|---|
| Source | Russian visa photo specification |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — exact |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Russia visa applications. The final decision always belongs to Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, but these are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Upload a portrait — the tool crops, removes the background and checks compliance against the 35 × 45 mm rule automatically.
Stand 1–2 metres from a plain, light-coloured wall — match If the official source does not publish a separate background rule, use a plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. The gap eliminates shadow on the wall behind you. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with patterned wallpaper or any background colour gradient.
Face a large window during daylight hours. Even frontal light prevents shadow under the brow ridge and beside the nose — two of the most common rejection triggers for consular visa applications.
Look straight at the camera. Keep your head level and centred in the frame. Even a 3–5° tilt is flagged by the consular ICAO alignment check before a human reviewer sees the application.
Both shoulders square to the camera. Visa photos are biometrically checked against the same reference standard as passports — turned shoulders shift the perceived face centre.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections For visa photos, consular pre-screening is particularly strict on glasses glare. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, document this in your application.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes fully open and looking directly at the lens. No smile, no raised eyebrows, no parted lips. Match the expression of someone sitting for an official photograph, not a friendly portrait.
Deep solid colours photograph cleanest against a light background. Avoid white tops (they merge with the background), uniforms, religious headwear except where permanent and documented, and any large jewellery near the face or neck.
Verify the photo dimensions match 35 × 45 mm, the head occupies –% of the height, both eyes are clearly visible, and the background matches the rule above. The tool catches most issues automatically but a manual check prevents surprises.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia publishes the following rejection codes. Knowing the exact code on your notice tells you precisely what to fix in the reshoot.
| Code | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
RU-V-01 |
White background (visas require LIGHT GREY) | Re-shoot against light grey backdrop |
RU-V-02 |
Head outside 32-36mm chin-to-crown range | Re-shoot at correct distance |
RU-V-03 |
Black-and-white photo | Re-shoot in color |
RU-V-04 |
Smile or non-neutral expression | Re-shoot neutral with closed mouth |
RU-V-05 |
Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
Russia visa applications are administered by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID / kdmid.ru). E-visa for ~50 nationalities since 2023.
evisa.kdmid.ru
Photo: 35×45mm, LIGHT GREY background (different from Russian passport which uses WHITE). Eligible nationalities published on evisa.kdmid.ru.
Authority pagemid.ru mission directory
For business, work, study, and other long-stay categories not eligible for e-visa.
Authority pageIf the official source does not publish a separate background rule, use a plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects is required. Consular pre-screening systems are strict on background — even minor texture, gradient or off-white tone is grounds for immediate rejection before a human reviewer sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require photos taken within the last three to six months. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause, especially for first-time visa applications.
Each visa type has specific dimensions. Submitting a passport-sized photo for a visa that requires different proportions is grounds for rejection. Verify the spec table above matches the visa category you are applying for.
The face must be centred horizontally and vertically with the head straight. Consular automated systems flag head tilt above 3–5 degrees before manual review.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye, head covering that obscures the facial outline (except for documented religious exception), or any accessory near the face is rejected by automated pre-screening.
Smile, raised eyebrows, parted lips or visible teeth all cause rejection. Consular photos use the same biometric standard as passports — neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
If submitting a physical photo, low-quality home printing, glossy paper instead of matte, ink streaks or finger smudges around the edges all cause manual rejection at the consular submission stage.
The Russia visa photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Many consulates also require a specific digital file size — see the spec table above for full details.
If the official source does not publish a separate background rule, use a plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. The background must be evenly lit with no shadow gradients, especially around the head. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with any wall texture or off-white shade before the human reviewer ever sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require the photo to be taken within the last three to six months. Submitting an older photo, even one that looks similar to your current appearance, is a frequent cause of immediate consular rejection.
Not always. Tourist, work, student and transit visa categories sometimes specify different dimensions or background rules. Use the exact profile for your specific visa type rather than assuming one photo fits all Russia visa applications.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is the cause of rejection and you supply the consular rejection notice. The refund covers the €4.99 download fee. We recommend keeping the consular receipt with rejection reason as proof.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. Consular automated checks flag glasses glare even when it is invisible to the human eye. Removing glasses entirely is the safest choice unless a medical exception is documented in your visa application.
Anfas.Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. The final decision to accept or reject a document photo rests solely with the issuing authority. Requirements change — always verify on the official authority portal before submitting.