Can I wear glasses in a Russian visa photo?

Allowed only if eyes are fully visible with no glare and clear lenses — removing glasses is the safest option.

Is a Russian visa photo the same size as a US passport photo?

No. Russia uses 35×45 mm; the US uses 51×51 mm (2×2 inches).

Is a Russian visa photo the same as a Schengen visa photo?

Same dimensions (35×45 mm) but Russia requires a white background — do not reuse a Schengen photo with a grey background.

How recent does a Russian visa photo need to be?

Typically within 6 months at submission — confirm on your application form.

Russian Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Q: Can US citizens get a Russian visa in 2026?

Processing for US citizens has been severely restricted; check the Russian embassy in Washington DC and official MFA channels for current categories.

Q: What size is a Russian visa photo?

35 mm × 45 mm with head height 30–36 mm from chin to crown on a plain white background.

Country guide · 🇷🇺 Russia · Last verified: February 2026

Russian visa photos use a 35×45 mm format with a plain white background — standard for most countries. The important context in 2026: Russian visa availability for US and EU nationals is severely restricted due to geopolitical tensions since 2022. This guide covers who can currently get a Russian visa, what the photo specs are, and how e-Visa digital photos work.

Quick facts


Size	35×45 mm
Background	Plain white
Head height	30–36 mm (chin to crown)
Face coverage	70–80%
Photos required	2 printed (paper applications)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Allowed with conditions
Source	kdmid.ru (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Current visa situation — 2026 context

Nationality / region	Typical status (check MFA)
US	Severely restricted — verify embassy notices
Most EU	Often restricted — third-country routes may vary
China, India, Turkey, many Global South	Often normal processing — confirm visa type

Sources: kdmid.ru (MFA) and your embassy. Russia suspended expanded e-Visa access for many Western nationalities in 2022. As of early 2026:

US citizens: Russian visa processing is suspended for most categories. US-Russia consular relations are severely limited. Contact the Russian Embassy in Washington DC or check kdmid.ru for current status.
EU citizens: Similar restrictions apply. Some EU nationalities may have limited options through third-country Russian consulates.
Most other nationalities: Russian visas are available. Some countries (China, India, Turkey, CIS countries) have simplified or visa-free arrangements.

Check the current status at your country's Russian embassy website — the situation changes frequently.

Photo specifications (when visas are available)

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall
Head height: 30–36 mm from chin to crown
Face coverage: 70–80% of photo height
Face centred horizontally

Background

Plain white. Uniform, shadow-free. No patterns, textures, or objects.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. No smiling.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, no tilt or rotation
Glasses: allowed if eyes are fully visible, no glare, no tinted lenses. However, removing glasses is recommended to avoid any risk.
Head coverings: only for religious or medical reasons. Full face visible.
Clothing: everyday attire. No uniforms.

Quality

Colour only
Sharp, no blur
Professional photo paper for printed submissions
No digital retouching or alterations

Russian e-Visa (when available)

Russia's e-Visa system was operational for 53+ countries before 2022. When active, digital photo requirements:

Format: JPEG
Background: white or off-white
File size: typically under 500 KB
Same face requirements

The e-Visa system status changes — verify at electronic.visa.gov.ru for current availability by nationality.

Russian internal passport (паспорт) — different specs

The Russian internal passport (гражданский паспорт) uses a different format: 35×45 mm with the same white background, but applications go through Gosuslugi (gosuslugi.ru) for Russian citizens. This is separate from the international passport and visa process.

Russia visa update: verify the exact consular post

Russian visa photo rules are unusually post-specific: direct embassy applications, VFS-style centers, courier submissions, and e-forms may phrase the same 35×45 mm baseline differently. This page now links applicants back to visa photo requirements for size comparison and photo requirements by country for non-Russia documents.

Frequently asked questions

Can US citizens get a Russian visa in 2026?

Processing remains severely limited for many US applicants. Check the Russian Embassy in Washington DC and ru.usembassy.gov for travel advisories.

What size is a Russian visa photo?

35×45 mm; head 30–36 mm; plain white background.

Can I wear glasses?

Only if eyes are fully visible with no glare — removing glasses is safest.

Same size as US passport?

No — US is 51×51 mm; Russia is 35×45 mm.

Same as Schengen?

Same dimensions, but Russia requires white — not light grey Schengen prints.

How recent?

Typically within 6 months.