In 2023, Russia welcomed over 200,000 Indian tourists, marking a 400% surge from the previous year!
If you’re an Indian citizen planning to visit this captivating country, understanding the Russia visa photo requirements is crucial for a smooth application process.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Russia visa photo requirements for Indians. The topics include:
Suggested Read: How to Book Visa Appointment for Russia
Russia Visa Photo Format Requirements
| Visa Type | Photo Form | Quantity | Format | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Electronic | 1 | JPEG / JPG | Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 30 KB |
| Tourist | Physical | 2 | Printed on matte paper | NA |
Russia Visa Photo Size & Requirements
Here are the key specifications for your photo sizes of Russia visa:
- Photo Size in MM: 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height.
- Photo Size in CM: 3.5 cm in width and 4.5 cm in height.
- Photo Size in Inch: 1.38 inches in width and 1.77 inches in height.
- Photo Size in Pixels: 413 x 513 pixels.
- Age of the Photo: Not older than 6 months before the visa application.
- Color: Color photos with a white or light grey background.
- Background Requirements: The background should be plain white or light grey, without any patterns, objects, or shadows.
- Lighting: Use uniform, balanced lighting across the face and background. Avoid shadows, glare, reflections, and red eyes.
- Photo Quality: Use high-quality matte paper. The photo must be free of creases, marks, or damage, with no filters or airbrushing allowed.
Facial Appearance & Size of the Photo
- Your face should occupy about 70-80% of the total photo area.
- The face height should be between 32mm to 36mm from the chin to the crown of the head.
- Ensure your face is easily recognizable and not too large, covering the entire photo frame.
Face Orientation – Head Positioning and Alignment
- Hold your head straight, without tilting to the side, up, or down.
- The photo orientation must be portrait-style.
- Your face should be clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head, with both sides of the face showing.
- Off-center alignment or face tilting will result in visa rejection.
Facial Expression
Russia visa photo quality standards for Indians include maintaining a neutral, pleasant expression in your Russia visa photo:
- Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
- Look directly at the camera with eyes fully open.
- Smiling, frowning, or squinting is not allowed as per Russia tourist visa standards.
Suggested Read: How To Check Russia Visa Status In India
Russia Visa Photo Attire & Accessories
Your choice of attire and accessories plays a significant role in meeting the Russia visa photo requirements . Here’s what you need to know:
Attire
- Wear clothes in a color that contrasts well against the white or light grey background, preferably dark or bright shades.
- Choose neat, everyday attire that represents your normal appearance. Avoid overly formal or casual outfits.
- A tie or bow tie is optional. If worn, ensure it doesn’t distract from your face.
- Uniforms should not be worn in the visa photo.
Accessories
While accessories are allowed, they come with certain limitations to ensure clear facial recognition:
Glasses/Spectacles
- It’s best to avoid wearing glasses for your visa photo.
- If medically necessary, you may wear glasses with clear lenses and minimal glare or reflection.
- Tinted glasses or sunglasses that obscure the eyes are strictly prohibited.
Health Accessories
- Hearing aids are permitted in the photo, provided they do not interfere with facial recognition.
Jewelry
- Minimal, non-distracting jewelry is usually allowed.
- Avoid large, dangling earrings or excessive facial jewelry that may obscure your features or cast shadows.
Headwear
- Headwear is generally not permitted unless worn for religious reasons.
- Religious headwear like turbans or hijabs are allowed, as long as the full face remains visible per facial recognition rules.
Is Makeup Permitted in Photos for Russia Visa Applications?
Makeup is allowed in Russia visa photos, provided it doesn’t drastically alter your natural appearance.
Steer clear of false eyelashes, heavy makeup, wigs, and unnatural hair colors that significantly change your look. Essentially, avoid any products that create unnatural shadows or contours on your face.
Russia Visa Photo Requirements for Children
Russia visa requirements for children have slightly more relaxed rules compared to adult visa photos.
Requirements for Newborns/Babies Under One Year of Age
Russia visa photo guidelines offer some flexibility for baby photographs:
- A baby’s eyes should ideally be open, but it’s not mandatory.
- Babies can be photographed sitting in a chair or lying on a flat surface.
- The background must be plain white or light grey, without any visible support.
Newborns and Children – Relaxed Rules
- For young children and babies, the head position doesn’t need to be perfectly aligned.
- Babies under 5 years old are allowed a small smile or relaxed facial expression.
- Partial eye visibility is accepted for newborns and infants.
Reasons for Russia Visa Photo Rejections
To obtain a visa for Russia, it’s crucial to closely follow the photo guidelines. Common reasons for Russia visa photo rejections include:
- Photos not meeting the specified dimensions will be rejected.
- Off-white, cream, or any background color other than white or light grey will result in rejection.
- Backgrounds with shadows, objects, or patterns will lead to rejection.
- Uneven lighting, glare, reflections, or red-eye effects will render the photo unacceptable.
- Photos with a tilted or turned head, or where the face is obstructed by accessories, will not be accepted.
- Printed photos with creases, tears, stains, or any damage will be rejected.
Why Choose OneVasco for Your Russia Visa Application?
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- Expert and Personalized Support
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FAQs:
1. What is the standard size for visa photos for Indian citizens traveling to Russia?
The standard size for Russia visa photos is 35mm in width and 45mm in height. Your face should occupy 70% to 80% of the photo as per Russia visa photo specifications for Indians.
2. Can I use a photo with a colored background for my Russia visa application?
No, colored backgrounds are not permitted for Russia visa photos. The background must be plain white or light grey to ensure sufficient contrast with your face.
3. What facial expression should I have in my Russia visa photo?
Russia visa photos require a neutral expression. Maintain a calm demeanor with your mouth closed and no visible smile or frown.
4. Are glasses allowed in Russia visa photos?
Glasses should generally be avoided in visa photos unless medically necessary. If you must wear glasses, ensure your eyes are fully visible without any glare or reflection on the lenses.
5. What should I do if my Russia visa photo is rejected?
If your visa photo is rejected, you’ll need to retake the photo, ensuring it meets all Russia visa photo requirements for Indians. Carefully review the guidelines on image size, background color, facial expression, accessories, and other criteria before submitting a new photo along with your application.
