Residence permit photo requirements in 2021

Basic requirements for photography, quantity

To obtain a residence permit, a citizen of a foreign country or a stateless person (LSP) must submit an application to a government agency dealing with migration issues. Four photographs are attached to the foreigner’s application, and two are attached to the LBG application.

Residence permit photo requirements:

Parameters – 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
The image is color or monochrome;
The picture is clear;
The face is directed directly at the observer/photographer (full face);
Headwear is prohibited. When photographing, a headdress can be left on only if it contradicts religious beliefs, but even in such a situation, the oval of the face must be revealed;
Glasses are acceptable only for people who constantly wear them for medical reasons (glasses are transparent);
The person in the photo should be shown against a white background;
The face occupies no more than 70 percent and is in the center;
Shading is prohibited;
It is prohibited to use glossy paper for printing - only matte paper;
The image is “fresh” and relevant, it is better if it was taken less than six months ago;
The photograph must be provided in its entirety without any damage.

Photo on residence permit

The legislation establishes that any foreign citizen has the right to apply to the migration authorities with an application for the extradition of:

TRP – temporary residence permit;
residence permit;
Russian Federation passport (upon obtaining citizenship).

Naturally, registration occurs according to certain rules and in a prescribed sequence. In this case, we are interested in the stage of obtaining a residence permit. More specifically, preparing a photo for a document.

Actually, there are not many requirements for the image itself, its form:

If it is made on a material medium, then its dimensions should be 3.5 by 4.5 cm. The paper is matte. Quantity – from 2 to 4 pieces depending on the specific situation. But it’s better to take 4 photos at once.
If in electronic form, then the dimensions are similar, and the weight is up to 300 kb. Format – JPEG.

You also need to know that the photo must be fresh, taken no later than six months. The paper is not wrinkled or faded.

Photo requirements when submitting online

If the application for a residence permit is submitted via a computer online, then an electronic photograph is also attached to the application.

The basic requirements for an electronic image are similar to a “live” photo: size, relevance, prohibition of hats and glasses, but there are also specific requirements for a digital photo for a Russian residence permit.

In 2021, these requirements are:

Prohibition of any corrections or adjustments to photos;
Images are accepted only in JPEG format;
File size no more than 300 kilobytes;
The head of the person being photographed is from 32 to 36 mm long and 18 to 35 mm wide;
There is no red-eye effect;
The background can be gray or blue, but not white.

Residence permit photograph requirements when submitting an application electronically

When submitting documents for a residence permit in Russia, foreign citizens have the opportunity to complete the application online. In this case, the requirements for photographs are as follows:

The photo must be uploaded in .jpeg format and accompanied by a statement.
It is prohibited to attach files larger than 300 kb.
The photo size parameters must be observed, namely 35*45 mm.
The image should be between 3.2 and 3.6 cm high and 1.8 to 2.5 cm wide.
There should be no red-eye effect.
It is better to avoid a white background and use a light shade of gray or blue.
All those points that refer to the presence of a headdress or glasses in the picture are the same as the requirements for paper photographs.
From the moment you create the image until you receive an answer regarding your residence permit, it is recommended not to experiment too much with the appearance.
Making any changes to the photograph, such as retouching, is prohibited.

Photo of a child

Children's data and photos are entered into the parents' residence permit, and the child, if necessary, is issued his own official document, regardless of age.

Photos in electronic form

If you decide to submit an application for a residence permit via the Internet, be prepared for the fact that photos will have to be taken and sent electronically. The basic requirements for it remain the same as for a paper photograph. But there are a number of special conditions that must be met specifically for electronic photos:

upload a photo only in jpeg format;
the size of the sent photo file cannot exceed 300 kilobytes;
In addition to white, the background in the photograph is light gray and light blue;
The so-called red-eye effect is unacceptable, but since the photo cannot be retouched, make sure that your photographic equipment excludes it initially.

Self-photo for residence permit at home

Wherever the photo was taken, it must meet the established requirements. You can take a photo at home, but you need to consider a number of points:

Choose a plain white background. Options include whatman paper, white plywood or a sheet;
You will need to set the light correctly so that the image turns out without shadows. The light cannot fall directly on the face, and it is also incorrect to place the light source on the side;
When using a flash, it should not be pointed at the face, only back, so that the light is diffused;
The camera must be modern, otherwise the picture will not be clear enough;
You will need to use some kind of editor to cut the picture to the desired size.

General photo requirements for residence permit

A photograph on an official document is not just another “selfie”, but a serious component of the document. The law establishes the required size, color, quality and other parameters for photographs for various documents.

All mandatory parameters of photographs, such as size, background color, facial position and others, are specified in the state document - Regulations for the issuance of residence permit No. 417, which came into force, beginning in July 2021.

Photos for residence permits, starting from 2021, can be submitted to departments in both color and black and white. The size of the photograph must strictly correspond to the established parameters: 3.5 by 4.5 cm. Example of a photograph:

Other requirements are standard:

Only one face in the photo. The photograph must show only the applicant's image. There should be no other persons captured in the frame.
Face position. The photo is taken strictly from the front.
Facial expression. Facial expressions should be absolutely calm. Smiles and grimaces are excluded.
No provocative makeup. Makeup should be moderate. So that the natural features of your face are not distorted.
You cannot be wearing a hat in the photo. Exceptions are allowed only in cases where head covering is required for religious reasons. But even in this case, the picture still requires a clear visibility of the oval of the face.
Nuances with glasses and wigs. Glasses in the photograph are only acceptable if the person is wearing them due to poor vision. Choose exclusively transparent glasses, frames of moderate sizes. Shooting with a wig worn for aesthetic purposes is not advisable.
Photography location. It is better to take a photo in a professional studio, as this will help you avoid violating regulations and take a photo that meets all the requirements.

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How many photos are needed?

The package of documents provided for a residence permit for persons who are citizens of other states includes 4 identical photographs.

Representatives authorized by government agencies will definitely pay attention to the date when the photograph was taken. The validity period of the photo for submitting documents should not exceed 4 months.

One of the photographs will be attached directly to the document itself on the first page. The remaining photos are used to attach to the application form and personal file of the foreign citizen.

Persons who do not have citizenship at all must provide only 2 photographs, which must also meet the requirements of the Regulations for issuing a residence permit.

Requirements and photo size when submitting in paper form

This photo is considered standard. Any photo studio will provide you with this service. The cost is low - from 200 to 300 rubles for four photos.

In the photo studio, the employee will also check such points as:

the face should occupy most of the space in the photo, but no more than 70%;
the face is in the center of the photo;
the eyes of the person being photographed are sufficiently wide open, but do not overdo it - do not “bulge” them out, make a natural facial expression;
look straight;
If the photo is in color, do not use colored contact lenses at the time of photographing; the color of the applicant’s eyes must match the color in the photo.

Before taking photographs, you will be given the opportunity to comb your hair and get yourself in order. The shooting is carried out against a white background. This is what the premises of an ordinary city photo studio looks like:

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Matte photo paper is used for photos on residence permits and other official documents; the use of glossy paper is prohibited.

Most regional branches of Migration services have their own mini-photo salons. That is, you have the opportunity to obtain high-quality photographs that meet all standards right before the application procedure.

Features of a photo for a child

When applying for a residence permit, children also need 4 photographs. Taking children's photos is the most difficult, since it is difficult for a child to sit still for a long time, in addition, there is a factor of embarrassment. Therefore, it is better to contact a professional specialist.

If the child is very small, the parent will hold him in his arms, and the photo will subsequently be processed so that there is no adult in the photo, and the background becomes white. Typically, there is no additional charge for providing such a service.

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If a baby is photographed, it is done in a lying position. Most likely, you will need to take several shots to capture the moment when the child's eyes are open. The background is also white. The presence of toys, pacifiers and other similar items is unacceptable.

Requirements and photo size when submitting online

It is allowed to provide photos in electronic form. Recently, this type of document submission has become quite common due to the emergence of such convenient services as, for example, State Services. However, all requirements for the photo format for a residence permit remain the same.

What is your registration?

Registration at the place of residenceRegistration at the place of stay

In addition to the basic requirements, make sure that:

the photo file was in JPEG format;
The image size did not exceed 300 kilobytes.

If documents are submitted electronically, the background color can be not only white, but also blue or light gray.