RU Moscow social card 3x4 cm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm) with a tolerance of ±2 mm, portrait orientation
• Head size and positioning: crown-to-chin height 28–33 mm (70–85% of frame) with eyes centered horizontally
• Eye line placement: eyes positioned 15–20 mm from the bottom edge (or 13–18 mm from the top edge)
• Background: uniform light gray or white with no shadows, patterns, textures or objects visible
• Facial expression: neutral with closed mouth, natural relaxed features, direct frontal gaze into the camera
• Lighting and exposure: even, shadow-free illumination, no red-eye, correct white balance, no over- or under-exposure
• Image quality: sharp focus, high resolution (≥300 dpi), no pixelation, smudges, creases or visible editing artifacts
• Color requirements: true-to-life natural skin tones, printed in color on good-quality photo paper (matte or gloss)
• Headwear: not allowed except for recognized religious garments; must not obscure hairline, forehead or face contours
• Glasses and eyes: if worn, frames must be thin and non-reflective, lenses clear (no tinted, no flash reflections), eyes fully visible
• Recent photo: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Clothing and accessories: plain everyday attire without uniforms, camouflage, large jewelry or headgear (unless religious)

Step-by-Step Process

Content about RU Moscow social card 3x4 cm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact 30×40 mm Crop: Always use software or a professional service to crop to exactly 3 × 4 cm with no white borders, because even a millimeter off can lead to instant rejection at the Moscow Social Card office.
• Centered Head Position: Position the top of your head about 3 mm below the top edge and leave at least 5 mm of space below the chin, ensuring your face is perfectly centered, since off-center or too-zoomed shots are the most common cause of disqualifications.
• Plain Light Background: Shoot against a uniform white or very light gray backdrop with no patterns or shadows, as uneven tones will trigger automatic optical checks and force retakes.
• Neutral Expression & Open Eyes: Keep your mouth closed, eyes fully visible, and avoid tilting your head, because smiling, raised eyebrows, or head turns violate Russia’s biometric-style requirements and result in wasted time.
• No Glare Glasses or Headwear: Remove tinted or thick-rimmed glasses and any hats or scarves (unless worn daily for religious reasons) to prevent reflections or obscured features, which are flagged during automated facial-recognition screening.

Conclusion

In summary, obtaining an approved Moscow social card photo means adhering strictly to the following key 3×4 cm specifications:

• Dimensions: exactly 30 × 40 mm with sharp, uncropped edges
• Head size & position: face height 70–80% of photo height (≈21–24 mm), centered, eye line at 50–60%
• Background: plain, uniform light (white or very pale gray), no shadows or textures
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera
• Attire & accessories: everyday clothing, no uniforms or logos, no glasses or headwear (unless for religious reasons and without obscuring facial features)
• Print & paper quality: high resolution (≥600 dpi), matte or low-gloss photo paper, no creases, smudges, or digital artifacts

By following these requirements to the letter, applicants can avoid delays or rejections and ensure their social card photo is accepted on the first attempt.