Russia Russian overseas passport (zagranpasport) photo Photo Size
The Russian overseas (international) passport photograph measures 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (about 1.38 x 1.77 in), equal to 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI - the same mm size as the ICAO/European photos, but with its own head-position rules. It is a different document from the Russian internal national ID (vnutrenniy pasport). The photo must show your face and the top of your shoulders on a white, even background, full-face with a neutral expression, and is filed through the MVD, the Gosuslugi portal or an MFC 'Moi dokumenty' office.
Specifications
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35x45 mm (1.38x1.77 in) |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 413x531 px |
| Digital upload | Not required — printed photos only. |
| Background | White, even, with no stripes, spots, foreign objects or shadows (some consulates accept a plain light background). |
| Head size | 25-30 mm (70-80 of frame); top clearance head must sit close to the top edge; at least 15 mm from chin to bottom edge mm |
| Expression | Full-face, looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, hair not covering the eyes. |
| Glasses | No tinted or dark glasses; people who normally wear glasses must use fully transparent, reflection-free lenses so the eyes are clearly visible. |
| Headwear | No headwear. A head covering is allowed only on religious grounds and must not hide the oval of the face. No uniform clothing. |
| Printed copies | 2 printed photo(s) — Number of prints varies by mission and passport type: the central kdmid form carries one photo plus one extra for the non-electronic passport, while many consulates request 3-4 identical prints. Black-and-white or colour both accepted. |
Russia 35x45 mm zagranpasport: gosposhlina, MVD and MFC numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Document | Zagranpasport (overseas/international passport); distinct from the internal vnutrenniy pasport. |
| Issuing body | MVD Rossii (Ministry of Internal Affairs), via Gosuslugi and MFC 'Moi dokumenty'. |
| Print size | 35x45 mm (1.38x1.77 in), 413x531 px at 300 DPI. |
| Head height | 25-30 mm chin to crown; face at least 20 mm; at least 15 mm from chin to bottom edge. |
| Biometric passport fee | 6,000 RUB adult; 3,000 RUB under 14 (10-year, biometric chip). |
| Old 5-year passport fee | 2,000 RUB adult; 1,000 RUB under 14 (paper, no chip). |
| Gosuslugi discount | 30% off when paying online: 4,200 RUB bio adult, 2,100 RUB bio child; 1,400 RUB / 700 RUB old. |
| Consular fee abroad | $90 biometric adult, $50 biometric child under 14; $35 ordinary adult, $15 ordinary child. |
| Background | White, even, no shadows, patterns or objects. |
| Colour | Black-and-white or colour both accepted for paper prints; e-visa portal takes a JPEG. |
| Number of prints | 1 on the form plus extra; many consulates request 3-4 identical photos. |
| Recency | Consulate sample sheets say within 3 months; e-visa portal says 6 months - confirm with your mission. |
| Biometric validity | 10 years for the new-generation (chip) passport; 5 years for the old paper one. |
| E-visa | evisa.kdmid.ru issues an electronic visa to 55+ regions; JPEG at 35x45 aspect. |
| VNZh | Vid na zhitelstvo (residence permit) uses a separate biometric capture at the MVD. |
| Processing time | Up to 1 month when filed at the MVD at your place of residence; up to 3 months at a different region; shorter via Gosuslugi. |
| Legal basis | Статья 333.28 НК РФ fixes the госуплата: bio 6000/3000 RUB, old 2000/1000 RUB. |
| Consulate cities | Washington DC embassy; New York, San Francisco, Chicago consulates; Berlin, Prague, Beijing missions. |
| Federal subjects | Filed at the territorial МВД or МФЦ «Мои документы» in your oblast, krai or republic. |
| Military ID | Военный билет required for men aged 18-27 with the zagranpasport application. |
| E-visa portal | evisa.kdmid.ru for the 55+ region electronic visa; JPEG upload at 35x45 aspect. |
| Romanized terms | Zagranpasport, biometricheskiy novogo pokoleniya, gosposhlina, Gosuslugi.ru, MVD/UVM, MFTs Moi dokumenty, VNZh, RVP. |
| Moscow filing | UVM MVD at Slavyanskaya ploshchad; regional offices in Sankt-Peterburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, Vladivostok, Kazan. |
| US consulates | Posolstvo in Washington DC; generalnoye konsulstvo in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Anchorage. |
| Federal subjects | Moskva, Sankt-Peterburg, Krasnodarskiy kray, Rostovskaya oblast, Tatarstan, Dagestan, Sverdlovskaya, Novosibirskaya oblast. |
| Replacement triggers | Planned vnutrenniy zamena at 20 and 45 years; uterya/krazha (loss/theft) adds a police report. |
Биометрический / старого образца загранпаспорт, VNZh and e-visa
| Form / code | What it is for | Photo or fee |
|---|---|---|
| Zagranpasport novogo pokoleniya (bio) | 10-year biometric chip passport | 6,000 RUB adult; 3,000 RUB under 14 |
| Zagranpasport starogo obraztsa | 5-year paper passport | 2,000 RUB adult; 1,000 RUB under 14 |
| Gosuslugi 30% discount | Online payment discount | 4,200 RUB bio adult; 2,100 RUB child |
| Consular bio adult | Biometric passport filed abroad | $90 USD |
| Consular bio child | Biometric passport for under-14 abroad | $50 USD |
| Consular ordinary adult | Paper passport filed abroad | $35 USD |
| Consular ordinary child | Paper passport for under-14 abroad | $15 USD |
| MVD Rossii | Ministry of Internal Affairs, the issuer | On-site biometric capture |
| MFC 'Moi dokumenty' | Multifunctional centre | Accepts paper applications and photos |
| Vnutrenniy pasport | Internal domestic ID | Separate photo at the MVD |
| VNZh (vid na zhitelstvo) | Residence permit | Biometric capture at the MVD |
| E-visa (evisa.kdmid.ru) | Regional short-term e-visa | JPEG upload at 35x45 aspect |
| Work patent | Work permit for migrants | 35x45 mm prints at the consulate |
| Uchebnaya viza | Student visa | 35x45 mm; invitation letter required |
| Voenny bilet | Military ID (men 18-27) | Required with the zagranpasport file |
| Refugee travel certificate | Refugee document | Same 35x45 mm white-background photo |
| ст. 333.28 НК РФ | Tax Code article fixing the state duty | 6000/3000 bio; 2000/1000 old |
| МВД России | Ministry of Internal Affairs, the issuer | On-site biometric capture |
| Госуслуги | State Services portal with 30% discount | 4200/2100 bio; 1400/700 old |
| МФЦ «Мои документы» | Multifunctional centre | Accepts paper files |
| ВНЖ | Вид на жительство (residence permit) | Biometric at the MVD |
| РВП | Разрешение на временное проживание | MVD biometric capture |
| Консульство Вашингтон | Russian Embassy in Washington DC | $90 bio adult; $35 ordinary |
| Генконсульство Нью-Йорк | Russian Consulate General in New York | $90 bio; $50 child; $35/$15 ordinary |
| Генконсульство Сан-Франциско | Russian Consulate General in San Francisco | Same consular fee schedule |
| Военный билет | Military ID (men 18-27) | Required with the zagranpasport file |
| Электронная виза | evisa.kdmid.ru regional e-visa | JPEG at 35x45 aspect |
| Загранпаспорт нового поколения | 10-year biometric chip book | 6000 RUB adult; 3000 RUB child |
| УВМ МВД | Управление по вопросам миграции (migration office) | On-site biometric capture |
| Биометрический 10 лет | Нового поколения, чип | 6000 ₽ / 3000 ₽ |
| Старого образца 5 лет | Бумажный, без чипа | 2000 ₽ / 1000 ₽ |
| Скидка Госуслуги 30% | Online payment discount | 4200/2100 биометрический |
| УВМ по месту жительства | Territorial migration office | 1 месяц processing |
| Генконсульство Чикаго | Russian Consulate General, Chicago | $90 bio; $35 ordinary |
| Посольство Вашингтон | Russian Embassy, Washington DC | $90 bio adult |
| Zagranpasport novogo pokoleniya | 10-year biometric chip book | 6000 RUB adult; 3000 RUB child |
| Zagranpasport starogo obraztsa | 5-year paper book | 2000 RUB adult; 1000 RUB child |
| Gosposhlina cherez Gosuslugi | Online 30% discount | 4200 / 2100 RUB bio |
| UVM MVD (Slavyanskaya ploshchad) | Moscow migration office | On-site biometric capture |
| Posolstvo Rossii Vashington | Russian Embassy, Washington DC | $90 bio adult; $35 ordinary |
| Generalnoye konsulstvo N'yu-York | Consulate General, New York | $90 bio; $50 child; $35/$15 |
| Generalnoye konsulstvo San-Frantsisko | Consulate General, San Francisco | Same kdmid fee schedule |
| Generalnoye konsulstvo Chikago | Consulate General, Chicago | Same fee schedule |
| VNZh (vid na zhitelstvo) | Residence permit | Biometric at UVM MVD |
| RVP (razreshenie na VP) | Temporary residence permit | UVM biometric capture |
| evisa.kdmid.ru | Regional electronic visa | JPEG at 35x45 aspect |
| Voenny bilet | Military ID (men 18-27) | Required with the file |
MVD Rossii, Gosuslugi and MFC 'Moi dokumenty' rules
MVD Rossii (Министерство внутренних дел Российской Федерации), through Gosuslugi and MFC 'Moi dokumenty' (гуслуги.ру / mvd.ru / kdmid.ru for consulates) sets the rules.
Russian overseas passports (zagranpasport) are issued by the MVD of Russia. Applicants file online through Gosuslugi, in person at an MFC 'Moi dokumenty' multifunctional centre, or at an MVD office. The biometric new-generation passport (10-year, chip) costs 6,000 RUB adult / 3,000 RUB under 14, with a 30% discount when paid via Gosuslugi (4,200 / 2,100 RUB); the old 5-year paper passport is 2,000 / 1,000 RUB. Abroad, Russian consulates charge in US dollars: $90 biometric adult, $50 biometric child, $35 ordinary adult, $15 ordinary child. The photo is 35x45 mm with a 25-30 mm head on a white background.
Inside Russia the photo can be taken at any фотоателье (photo studio) or kiosk; the application itself is filed through Gosuslugi, an MFC or the MVD. Abroad you apply at a Russian consulate.
- MVD Rossii passport offices — The direct issuer; book via Gosuslugi, attend the biometric capture (photo + fingerprints) and collect the finished zagranpasport.
- Gosuslugi portal (гуслуги.ру) — File online, attach a digital JPEG, pay the gosposhlina with the 30% discount (4,200 RUB bio adult), then attend the MVD to have the biometric photo and fingerprints taken.
- MFC 'Moi dokumenty' (Мои документы) — Multifunctional centres in every region accept the paper application and photos and forward it to the MVD; staff help with the forms.
- Фотоателье (photo studios) — Any photo studio in Russia knows the 35x45 mm / 25-30 mm head white-background spec; ask for 'фото на загранпаспорт'.
- Photo kiosks in malls and metro — Walk-up kiosks in ТЦ (shopping centres) and metro halls print 35x45 mm sets; choose the zagranpasport programme.
- Russian consulates abroad — File at the nearest Russian consulate/embassy; fees are in USD ($90 bio adult, $50 bio child, $35 ordinary, $15 child).
- E-visa portal evisa.kdmid.ru — For the 55+ region e-visa, upload a JPEG at 35x45 aspect ratio; no paper prints needed.
- Post offices and banks — Sberbank and Russian Post accept the gosposhlina payment; they do not take the photo.
- Russian Embassy, Washington DC — Where consular zagranpasport files are routed; fees in USD: $90 bio adult, $35 ordinary.
- Consulate General, New York — Covers the US Northeast; same $90/$50/$35/$15 fee schedule; 3-4 printed photos.
- Consulate General, San Francisco — Covers the US West; same kdmid.ru fee schedule and 35x45 mm photo rules.
- UVM MVD, Slavyanskaya ploshchad (Moskva) — The main Moscow migration office; book via Gosuslugi; biometric photo and fingerprints on site.
- Generalnoye konsulstvo, N'yu-York — Covers the US Northeast; $90 bio adult, $50 bio child, $35/$15 ordinary; 3-4 printed photos.
- Generalnoye konsulstvo, San-Frantsisko — Covers the US West Coast; same kdmid.ru fee schedule and 35x45 mm rules.
Gosuslugi is the primary digital channel: attach a JPEG, pay the discounted duty, and book the biometric appointment. The e-visa portal evisa.kdmid.ru takes a separate JPEG for the regional e-visa. The MVD does not accept a home JPEG as the final biometric image - the on-site capture at the MVD/MFC is what goes into the chip.
Zagranpasport: 6,000 RUB bio, 30% Gosuslugi discount, biometric capture
The domestic Russian process runs through Gosuslugi, an MFC or the MVD; abroad it runs through a consulate. The gosposhlina figures are per Tax Code art. 333.28.
- Register on Gosuslugi and complete the zagranpasport application form, choosing between the biometric (new-generation, 10-year) or old paper (5-year) passport.
- Upload a digital JPEG at 35x45 aspect; the on-site MVD capture will replace it.
- Pay the gosposhlina: 6,000 RUB biometric adult / 3,000 RUB under 14, or 2,000 RUB / 1,000 RUB old paper; pay via Gosuslugi for the 30% discount (4,200 / 2,100 RUB).
- Book the biometric appointment at the MVD or MFC 'Moi dokumenty'; bring the internal vnutrenniy pasport and 3-4 printed photos.
- At the appointment, the officer captures the biometric photo and fingerprints (from age 12), verifies the documents and takes the application.
- Wait the standard processing time (up to 1-3 months, shorter via Gosuslugi); the finished book is collected at the same office.
- Abroad, file at the Russian consulate: fees are $90 biometric adult, $50 biometric child, $35 ordinary adult, $15 ordinary child; bring 3-4 prints and the internal passport or a notarised copy.
- The e-visa (evisa.kdmid.ru) is a separate, short-term regional authorisation and uses its own JPEG upload, not the zagranpasport process.
Shooting a 35x45 mm photo with the 25-30 mm Russian head rule
- Shoot against a pure white wall with no shadow, pattern or object behind you.
- Stand 1.5 m from the lens, camera at eye level, head straight, shoulders level.
- Frame the head 25-30 mm from chin to crown, close to the top edge, with at least 15 mm from chin to the bottom edge.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking straight into the lens.
- Hair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows; long hair falls behind the shoulders.
- Remove tinted glasses; transparent lenses must be reflection-free. No hats or headwear except a religious covering.
- Use soft front light so the white background is evenly lit and there is no shadow under the chin.
- Take several frames and open the sharpest in the PixlReady Russia preset, which locks the 35x45 mm / 25-30 mm head box.
- Print 3-4 identical 35x45 mm photos on matte or glossy paper for the consulate/MFC file.
- At the MVD or consulate, the officer will also take the biometric photo on site; bring your prints as backup.
Use the passport cropper with the Russia preset.
Gosuslugi and evisa.kdmid.ru JPEG uploads vs on-site MVD capture
Gosuslugi and the e-visa portal both accept a JPEG, but the final biometric image in the chip is captured on site at the MVD. The digital upload follows the same 35x45 mm geometry.
- Format: JPEG for Gosuslugi and evisa.kdmid.ru.
- Dimensions: 35x45 mm = 413x531 px at 300 DPI; head 25-30 mm chin to crown.
- Background: pure white, evenly lit, no shadows.
- Recency: within 3 months per consulate sample sheets; 6 months per the e-visa portal.
- Colour: colour or black-and-white both accepted for paper; digital JPEG is colour.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
- No retouching, filters or background replacement.
- Glasses: transparent, reflection-free, frames not covering the eyes.
- No headwear except a documented religious covering.
- The on-site MVD capture overrides the uploaded JPEG; treat the upload as a pre-check, not the final image.
Compress an oversized JPEG with the image compressor.
Printing 3-4 35x45 mm tiles for the consulate or MFC
Russian фотоателье print a standard planche of 35x45 mm tiles. Most consulates ask for 3-4 identical prints, one on the form and the rest in the folder.
- 35x45 mm = 1.38x1.77 in; at 300 DPI 413x531 px.
- Ask the studio for 'фото на загранпаспорт' - they lay out 4-6 tiles on a 10x15 cm sheet.
- Use matte or glossy photographic paper; plain inkjet paper is not accepted.
- Print at 300 DPI minimum for a sharp biometric image.
- Do not cut into the 35 mm edge: the consulate measures the outer mm.
- Black-and-white or colour are both accepted for paper prints.
- Bring 3-4 identical prints; the number varies by consulate (confirm on kdmid.ru).
- Write the applicant's surname on the back in soft pencil so prints can be re-attached if detached.
Print-dialog settings: 300 DPI guide · 200 KB upload guide.
Why the MVD and consulates reject a zagranpasport photo
- Head outside 25-30 mm: too small, too large, or the head not close to the top edge.
- Less than 15 mm from chin to the bottom edge of the print.
- Non-white background: grey, patterned, or with shadows.
- Tinted or dark glasses; reflection on transparent lenses.
- Hats, headwear or hoods without a religious exception.
- Hair covering the eyes, eyebrows or face oval.
- Old photo over 3 months (consulate) or 6 months (e-visa).
- Retouched, filtered or scanned images.
- Wrong size: a 2x2 in square or a European 32-36 mm-head photo.
- Uniform clothing, jewellery casting shadows, or an angle that is not full-face.
Children under 14: 3,000 RUB bio, both parents, no fingerprints under 12
A child's zagranpasport follows the same 35x45 mm white-background spec. The gosposhlina is 3,000 RUB for the biometric passport under 14 (1,000 RUB for the old paper one), and both parents or legal guardians must consent.
- Children under 14: biometric passport 3,000 RUB, old paper 1,000 RUB (with Gosuslugi discount 2,100 / 700 RUB).
- From age 14 a child pays the adult rate (6,000 / 2,000 RUB).
- Both parents attend the MFC/MVD or provide a notarised consent if one cannot attend.
- Babies may be photographed lying on a white sheet; no parent's hand, dummy or toy may appear.
- The child's eyes must be open and looking at the lens; for infants the neutral-expression rule is relaxed.
- No hat, bonnet, headband or pacifier.
- Fingerprints are not taken for children under 12; the facial image is still captured.
- School photos are not accepted; use a фотоателье or the on-site MVD capture.
- The child's birth certificate (with translation if filed abroad) is required.
Russian identity and travel documents beyond the zagranpasport
The 35x45 mm photo is shared by several Russian documents. The internal vnutrenniy pasport, the residence permit and the e-visa each follow related rules.
- Vnutrenniy pasport (internal passport): the domestic ID card; separate photo taken at the MVD.
- Biometric zagranpasport (нового поколения): 10-year, chip, 6,000 RUB adult.
- Old-style zagranpasport (старого образца): 5-year, paper, 2,000 RUB adult.
- VNZh (вид на жительство, residence permit): biometric capture at the MVD.
- E-visa (evisa.kdmid.ru): short-term regional authorisation, JPEG upload at 35x45 aspect.
- Private invites, work patents and student visas: filed at the consulate with 35x45 mm prints.
- Gosposhlina payments: via Gosuslugi (30% discount), Sberbank or Russian Post.
- Consular fees abroad: $90 biometric adult, $50 biometric child, $35 ordinary adult, $15 ordinary child.
- Exit from Russia and re-entry stamps are read from the zagranpasport chip at border control.
- Consular registration (uchet po mestu prebyvaniya) is handled separately from the zagranpasport photo.
Russian official terms: загранпаспорт, МВД, Госуслуги, МФЦ
The Russian system uses specific Cyrillic terms that appear on every MVD and consulate form.
- Загранпаспорт (загран) = overseas/international passport; вн утренний паспорт = internal domestic ID.
- Биометрический загранпаспорт нового поколения = the 10-year chip passport (6,000 RUB adult).
- МВД России = Ministry of Internal Affairs, the issuing authority.
- Госуслуги = the State Services portal, where the 30% duty discount applies.
- МФЦ «Мои документы» = multifunctional centre (My Documents), where paper applications are accepted.
- Госпошлина = state duty; 6,000 RUB bio adult, 3,000 RUB child, 2,000 RUB old adult, 1,000 RUB child.
- Фото на документы / фотоателье = photo for documents / photo studio.
- ВНЖ (вид на жительство) = residence permit.
- Электронная виза (evisa.kdmid.ru) = electronic visa for 55+ regions.
- 35×45 см = the standard print size, 35 mm wide by 45 mm high.
- Статья 333.28 НК РФ = Tax Code article fixing the state duty (госпошлина) for a zagranpasport.
- МВД России = the issuing ministry; территориальные органы МВД = regional MVD offices where you attend.
- Госуслуги (gosuslugi.ru) = the State Services portal; 30% discount when you pay the госпошлина online.
- МФЦ «Мои документы» = the multifunctional centre; operates in every регион (oblast, krai, republic).
- Фотоателье = photo studio; «фото на загранпаспорт» is the standard request at any студия печати.
- ВНЖ = вид на жительство (residence permit); РВП = разрешение на временное проживание.
- Консульства России: Вашингтон, Нью-Йорк, Сан-Франциско, Чикаго, Турку, Хельсингфорс, Берлин, Прага, Пекин.
- Биометрический загранпаспорт нового поколения = 10-year chip book; старого образца = 5-year paper.
- Военный билет = military ID, required for men aged 18-27 with the zagranpasport file.
- Прописка = the internal residency registration stamp in the vnutrenniy pasport.
- Биометрический загранпаспорт нового поколения: 10 лет, 6000 ₽ взрослый, 3000 ₽ ребёнок до 14 лет.
- Загранпаспорт старого образца: 5 лет, 2000 ₽ взрослый, 1000 ₽ ребёнок; без электронного чипа.
- Госуслуги: 30% скидка при онлайн-оплате госпошлины (4200 ₽ / 2100 ₽ биометрический).
- МФЦ «Мои документы»: многофункциональный центр; приём заявлений и фотографий 35×45 мм.
- МВД России: территориальные управления по вопросам миграции (УВМ МВД).
- ВНЖ = вид на жительство; РВП = разрешение на временное проживание.
- Фото на загранпаспорт: белый фон, 35×45 мм, лицо 25–30 мм от подбородка до макушки.
- Военный билет: для мужчин 18–27 лет, обязателен при подаче на загранпаспорт.
- Консульства: Вашингтон (посольство), Нью-Йорк, Сан-Франциско, Чикаго (генеральные консульства).
- Электронная виза: evisa.kdmid.ru, JPEG 35×45, для 55+ регионов.
- Статья 333.28 НК РФ: размер государственной пошлины за загранпаспорт.
- Прописка: штамп о регистрации во внутреннем паспорте (внутренний паспорт).
- Zagranpasport (zagranichnyy pasport) = the overseas/international passport; vnutrenniy pasport = the internal domestic ID.
- Biometricheskiy zagranpasport novogo pokoleniya = 10-year chip book; staryy obrazets = 5-year paper, no chip.
- Gosposhlina (gosudarstvennaya poshlina): 6000 RUB bio adult, 3000 RUB child under 14; 2000 RUB / 1000 RUB old paper.
- Gosuslugi.ru = the State Services portal; 30% discount on the gosposhlina when paid online (4200 / 2100 RUB bio).
- MVD Rossii = the Ministry of Internal Affairs; UVM MVD = Upravleniye po voprosam migratsii, the migration office.
- MFTs Moi dokumenty = the multifunctional centre; accepts paper files and prints in every region.
- Federal subjects: Moskva, Sankt-Peterburg, Krasnodarskiy kray, Rostovskaya oblast, Tatarstan, Dagestan, Sverdlovskaya oblast, Novosibirskaya oblast.
- Cities where the UVM MVD takes biometrics: Moskva (Slavyanskaya ploshchad), Sankt-Peterburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Vladivostok, Kazan, Nizhniy Novgorod.
- Consulates: Posolstvo Rossii v Vashingtone (Washington DC), Generalnoye konsulstvo v N'yu-Yorke, San-Francisko, Chikago, Khoustone, Siatle, Anchorage.
- E-visa portal: evisa.kdmid.ru; consular portal kdmid.ru; MFA portal mid.ru.
- Vid na zhitelstvo (VNZh) = residence permit; Razresheniye na vremennoye prozhivaniye (RVP) = temporary permit.
- Voenny bilet = military ID, required for men aged 18-27; propiska = the internal registration stamp.
- Photo studios: fotoatelye, salon-pechati, foto na dokumenty; ask for 'foto na zagranpasport 35x45, belyy fon'.
- Srok izgotovleniya: 1 month at your registered UVM, up to 3 months at a different region; gotovnost comes by SMS.
- Zamena pasporta: planned replacement at 20 and 45 years (vnutrenniy), plus on loss/theft (uterya, krazha).
Gotchas
- This is the overseas (international) passport photo - do not confuse it with the Russian internal domestic ID document.
- Head-position rule differs from ICAO: consulates specify a 25-30 mm head (chin to crown) with the head close to the top edge and >=15 mm below the chin.
- Some consulates require photos to be less than 3 months old (others say 6 months); confirm with your mission.
- Background must be white and shadow-free.
- Biometric (new-generation) zagranpasport costs 6,000 RUB adult / 3,000 RUB under 14; the old 5-year paper one is 2,000 RUB / 1,000 RUB; pay via Gosuslugi for a 30% discount.
- Apply through MVD, Gosuslugi or an MFC 'Moi dokumenty'; consulates abroad charge in US dollars ($90 biometric adult, $50 child, $35 ordinary adult, $15 child).
Questions & answers
What size is a Russian overseas passport photo?
35x45 mm (1.38x1.77 in), equal to 413x531 px at 300 DPI.
How big should my head be?
Consulate sample sheets specify 25-30 mm from chin to crown (face at least 20 mm), with at least 15 mm from chin to the bottom edge; central guidance also states the face fills 70-80%.
How much is the gosposhlina (state duty)?
Biometric 10-year zagranpasport: 6,000 RUB adult, 3,000 RUB under 14. The old 5-year paper one: 2,000 RUB adult, 1,000 RUB under 14. Pay via Gosuslugi for a 30% discount (4,200 / 2,100 RUB biometric).
Where do I apply?
Through the MVD of Russia, the Gosuslugi portal, or an MFC 'Moi dokumenty' multifunctional centre. Abroad, at the Russian consulate.
How many photos do I need?
It varies by consulate - typically 1 photo on the form plus extra prints, many missions request 3-4 identical photos.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering?
No tinted glasses (transparent, reflection-free lenses allowed); no headwear except a religious covering that does not hide the face oval.
Must the photo be in colour?
No - black-and-white or colour are both accepted. The e-visa portal accepts a JPEG at 35x45 aspect ratio.
Official sources
- Consular portal of the MFA of Russia (kdmid.ru) — List of documents required for registration of an overseas passport (accessed 2026-10-19; covers: 35x45 mm, face 70-80%, white even background, full-face neutral expression, consular fees $90/$50/$35/$15)
- Consulate General of Russia, Kirkenes (mid.ru) — Requirements for passport photographs (accessed 2026-10-19; covers: 35x45 mm, head 25-30 mm, face >=20 mm, chin-to-bottom >=15 mm, white/light background, <=3 months)
- Gosuslugi (State Services portal) — Gosposhlina for zagranpasport (Tax Code art. 333.28) (accessed 2026-10-19; covers: 6000 RUB bio adult, 3000 RUB bio child, 2000 RUB old adult, 1000 RUB old child, 30% discount online)