Photo requirements for applying for Russian citizenship

Why do you need a photo for a residence permit in Russia?

Photographs for a residence permit are required, so any applicant will have to visit a photo studio before submitting an application. Without photographs, the inspector will refuse to accept documents. And the law will be completely on his side, since the photos are included in the list of papers for a residence permit, which is specified in the Regulations for issuing the status (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 417).

A total of 4 photographs are needed: one will go into the residence permit document itself - it will be pasted onto the page with basic information about the owner of the document. Another photo will decorate your application for a residence permit. The remaining two are used for internal documents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This is what the photo in the residence permit booklet looks like

Common mistakes to avoid

To obtain documents for Russian citizenship, photographs are required. It is worth noting that the photo requirements for Russian citizenship do not differ much from the standard requirements of other countries.

Let's look at common mistakes made when photographing a document.

1. Availability of glasses. It is allowed to leave only glasses with thin frames prescribed by a specialist.
2. The presence of a headdress. Only persons of the corresponding religion are allowed to wear the headdress, but with some reservations: the face and forehead must be open.
3. The presence of overexposed elements, red-eye effect and other defects.
4. Rounded photos. The photo should have a standard rectangular shape with sharp corners.
5. White, light gray and light blue are the colors that the background can have. Don't make the background too bright or too dark; the photo will have to be redone.

Number and size of photos for residence permit

The photo size must be strictly 35 x 45 mm . The same format is used when issuing a passport. The Regulations state that the card must show a close-up view of the head and the top of the shoulders. But at the same time, the distance from the top of the head to the chin should not exceed 80% of the entire image.

As for quantity. An adult applicant will be expected to submit 4 photographs . If a foreign citizen includes a child in the application for a residence permit, photographs of the minor will also be needed in the amount of 4 pieces . Stateless persons provide 2 photographs .

Acceptable dimensions for passport photos

If we talk about dimensions, then there is no choice here. The photo must be strictly 35 x 45 mm . But that's all. If you are making a photo card for a civil passport, then it is important that 70 - 80% of the image is allocated to the oval of the face.

The dimensions that the head occupies are up to a millimeter. The height of the head image should be 30 - 32 mm , width: 18 - 22 mm . The Ministry of Internal Affairs even prescribed how much space in the photograph should be taken up by the empty space at the top - 5 mm (plus/minus 1 mm).

Sample

How should applicants appear in the photo for a residence permit in Russia?

There are several parameters regarding the appearance of foreign citizens:

1. Look straight into the camera. Head tilts and profile photos are not suitable. When submitting documents for a residence permit, inspectors want to see photographs in which the face is shown from the front and the person is looking in front of him. Eyes, of course, must be open.
2. The eyes should be clearly visible. The Regulations state that hair should not cover the eyes. If a person, for example, wears long bangs, then he will need to style them so that they do not obscure his eyes.
3. Don't take off your glasses. This requirement applies only to those who constantly wear glasses due to vision problems. Such people must definitely wear glasses. But there is a clause in the Regulations - the accessory must have transparent glass . If you are wearing tinted glasses in the image, such photos will not be accepted. In photographs with glasses, the eyes must be clearly visible (photos with glare and other errors are not allowed), and the frames must not obscure the eyes. Only people who need these items for medical reasons to be photographed wearing dark glasses or a blindfold .
4. Take pictures without a headdress. When applying for a residence permit, the photo is taken without a headdress so that the face is clearly visible in the frame. Therefore, for the duration of photography, caps, hats, etc. needs to be removed. Only representatives of those religions that prohibit their adherents from being in front of strangers with their heads uncovered can leave their headdress on and be photographed in it. But even in this case, the face should look open, that is, the clothing should not cover the oval of the face.
5. Age appropriate. The photograph must correspond to the age of the applicant on the day of submission of documents for a residence permit. Therefore, photographs taken, for example, 10 years ago, will not be suitable.
6. White background. The regulations separately stipulate the requirements for the background of the image on the residence permit. It must be white and must not have spots, shadows, stripes or any foreign objects on it.
7. You cannot appear in uniform . It is prohibited to be photographed in uniform or outerwear. If the applicant decides to pose wearing a scarf, then this accessory should not cover part of the face.
8. Photo without artistic processing. Artistic processing of photographs, changes and editing of photographs to improve the appearance of the photographed person are not allowed.

“The image must show all the features of the person being photographed,”

— from the Regulations for issuing residence permits (order No. 417).

You need to look directly into the camera.
To summarize, here is a table with the main parameters for a photo on a residence permit.

Briefly about the photo requirements for a residence permit

Is it necessary to include a photo in the application for a residence permit?

If you are applying for a residence permit in Russia, then you don’t need to do anything with the photographs . In the form you received them from the photographer, bring them to the inspector in that form.

There is no need to cut the pictures. Glue it too.

If you have already cut up the photos, it is better to take new ones. When accepting papers for a residence permit, this point is important for migration department employees.

Photos for residence permit in electronic format: acceptable or not?

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What medical certificates are needed for a residence permit?

• Marina Danilova
• 28.12.2020

Even if the photographs look as required by the rules, they will not be accepted in electronic format. Therefore, for a residence permit, it is necessary to bring images made on paper.

At one time, Russia allowed you to apply for a residence permit through the State Services website. Accordingly, then it was possible to provide electronic photographs. But according to data for 2021, applications can only be submitted in person - through the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the migration center. And there they will only accept your photos in paper format.

Basic requirements for a photo for a residence permit

Photos must meet the following requirements:

• The size of the photo on the residence permit is 35 by 45 mm. (standard, same as for a civil passport);
• the image must be clear;
• In the photo, the hair should not be covered with any headdress. An exception is for believers of Islam if their religiosity does not allow them to remove the head covering, but even in this case the entire face, as well as the oval, must be clearly visible;
• you need to take off your glasses. The exception in this case is their constant wearing for medical reasons. If a photograph is taken of a person wearing glasses, it is important that the lenses are completely transparent, the color and shape of the eyes can be clearly seen, and there should be no glare from the lenses;
• if a person wears an eye patch, it does not need to be removed;
• behind the citizen there should be a light, even background;
• Black and white and color photos are acceptable;
• the image of the face takes up from 70 to 80% of the space of the entire photo and is located strictly in the center;
• the time for producing a photo card should not exceed 120 days before the day of submitting documents to the migration authorities;
• It is not allowed for there to be any shadows in the photo;
• photos must be taken on matte paper, glossy photographs will not be accepted;
• the photographs must be completely intact, not wrinkled, without kinks;
• you need to open your eyes completely, but look calmly, not scared or artificially “goggled”, your gaze is not slanted to the side, and do not smile;
• Only frontal view is allowed.

There are mini-salons near almost every migration center; they clearly know all the requirements for a residence permit photo, and will do everything quickly and at reasonable prices.

Where do they take photographs for a residence permit?

You can take pictures in the photo studio

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How and where to take the residence permit exam

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• 08.12.2020

There will be no problems with this. Any photo studio that takes passport photos and other documents will take the necessary photographs for you.

In addition, there are often departments at the Ministry of Internal Affairs where photographs are taken. Therefore, you can take a photo directly on the territory of the migration department.

Read in other materials what is included in the list of documents for a residence permit in addition to a photo and how to correctly fill out an application for status.

About hats and glasses

In this regard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also gives clear instructions:

1. Photos for a Russian passport cannot be taken wearing caps, hats, bandanas or any other headwear . Even if they look very cool in photographs. The only exception is made for people whose religion prohibits appearing in front of strangers with their heads uncovered. But even in this case, it is necessary that the face in the image be completely open.
2. A citizen who constantly wears glasses must be photographed wearing glasses. The main thing is that the accessory does not hide the eyes - they should be clearly visible in the photo.

You need to look straight into the camera to take a photo.

A little about the legislative framework

Important! Please keep in mind that:

• Each case is unique and individual.
• A thorough study of the issue does not always guarantee a positive outcome. It depends on many factors.

To get the most detailed advice on your issue, you just need to choose any of the options offered:

• Use the online chat in the lower corner of the screen.
• Call: Federal number: +7 (800) 511-86-74

The procedure for submitting documents for Russian citizenship, as well as the requirements for those who want to become a citizen of Russia, are regulated by the relevant bylaws - this is Federal Law 62-FZ of May 31, 2002 and the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The first document sets out the general requirements for those who want to obtain Russian citizenship. Paragraph 28.2 of the second document sets out the photo requirements that are attached to the application for a residence permit. The citizenship photo standard is essentially similar to the requirements set out in the above regulations.

Criteria for electronic photography

It is possible to submit an application online. In such a situation, the criteria for a photo for Russian citizenship will be slightly different.

1. Photos should be uploaded using the .jpeg raster format
2. The file should be compressed to 300 KB if its format is larger than stated, and expanded if the volume is not enough.
3. Red eyes are not allowed in the photo.
4. White, light gray or light blue background.
5. The head is located in the center of the photo.
6. Refrain from editing the photo, this is not acceptable. The use of various graphic editors is prohibited.

The remaining criteria are similar to the requirements for photographs on paper.