How should a Russia visa photo look?
Russia uses the same 35×45 mm format for the internal passport, international passport and visa application. MVD Order 773 (16.11.2020) legally accepts both matte and glossy prints; industry practice favours matte, but glossy is also valid. The official text says "plain light" background; in practice this is read as white.
The bodies that set the spec
The standard is set by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs (GUVM). The same 35×45 mm format applies to the internal passport, the international passport and visa applications. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame is sent to PhotoID Studio and the Russia preset is selected; the app aligns the face, cleans the background to white and exports 35×45 mm at 300 DPI. The print is produced on matte or glossy paper depending on customer preference; both finishes are legally accepted. Two copies are laid out automatically on 10×15 cm paper.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the white backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8 aperture, a softbox at 45° with a reflector on the opposite side. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression". Clear prescription glasses are accepted as long as there is no reflection; for very young infants the eyes-fully-open requirement is waived and a natural pose is enough.
Reasons for rejection at MVD and GUVM
• A non-white backdrop: grey, cream or tinted backgrounds are rejected. • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Tinted or dark glasses; clear prescription glasses are allowed if there is no reflection. • Hair or a headscarf covering the forehead, eyebrows or face line. • Smile, visible teeth or open mouth. • Head not filling the expected frame range; a wide portrait cropped from an old phone shot. • A hard one-sided shadow under the chin or on the cheek; over-exposure that erases facial contours. • Tilted head or eyes off the horizontal centre line in adult photos.
Frequently asked questions
Should the Russian passport photo be matte or glossy?
MVD Order 773 legally accepts both finishes. Industry practice prefers matte, but glossy prints are also valid; the choice is left to the customer.
Is the same format used for internal passport, international passport and visa?
Yes. All three accept a 35×45 mm white-background print; the preset does not change, and two copies are produced from the same frame.
Can the photo be taken with prescription glasses?
Yes: clear dioptric glasses are accepted as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection on the lens. Tinted and dark lenses are banned.
How are infant and child photos handled?
For very young infants the requirement to have the eyes fully open is waived; a natural pose and a neutral background are enough. For older children the adult rules apply.
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