Official Photo Specifications
The Russian consulate has strict requirements for visa photos. Submitting a photo that doesn't meet these specifications is one of the most common reasons for application delays or rejection.
Size and Dimensions
- Size: 3.5 cm ร 4.5 cm (35 mm ร 45 mm)
- Head height: 32โ36 mm from chin to crown
- Face position: Centered, looking directly at the camera
- Face coverage: 70โ80% of the frame
Background and Lighting
- Background: Plain white or light gray (no patterns, shadows, or objects)
- Lighting: Even, no harsh shadows on face or background
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Technical Requirements
- Color: Full color (not black and white)
- Paper: Matte or glossy photo paper
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- Glasses: Allowed only if worn daily; no tinted lenses, no glare
- Head coverings: Only for religious reasons
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong size: US passport photos (2ร2 inches) are NOT acceptable. Russian visa photos must be 3.5ร4.5 cm.
- Shadows on background: Stand at least 1 meter from the wall to avoid shadows.
- Cropped incorrectly: Too much space above the head or face too small in the frame.
- Old photo: Using a photo from a previous visa application that's more than 6 months old.
- Selfie or phone photo: Always use a professional photo service or a proper photo booth.
Where to Get Your Photo
Most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens in the US), post offices, and professional photo studios can take visa photos. Specify that you need 3.5ร4.5 cm format with white background โ not the standard US passport size.
Online services like iVisa Photo or Passport Photo Online can also help you crop and format your photo correctly before printing.
Digital Photo for E-Visa
If you're applying for a Russian e-visa, you'll need a digital photo in JPEG format, 300โ450 pixels wide, file size between 10KB and 60KB. The same composition rules apply โ white background, neutral expression, no glasses glare.


