Belarusian Passport Photo (paper passport: 40 x 50 mm, four colour prints on one sheet): size and requirements

Requirements at a glance

Size

40 x 50 mm (1.57 x 1.97 inches)

Head height

Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (4 цветные фотографии заявителя, соответствующие его возрасту, размером 40 x 50 мм (одним листом) (no head rule is published; ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent applied))

Background

not stated; white is our rendering choice

Expression

Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera

Glasses

Allowed without glare or tint

Head covering

Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible

Prints needed

4

We deliver

472 x 591 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet

What trips people up

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  Unusual size and count: '4 цветные фотографии заявителя, соответствующие его возрасту, размером 40 x 50 мм (одним листом)' (four colour photographs of the applicant, matching their age, 40 x 50 mm, on one sheet). A standard 35 x 45 mm print will not do; the four prints are expected uncut on a single sheet.
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  'Соответствующие его возрасту' (matching their age) is the only recency rule: the decree sets no month limit, so use a photo that still looks like you.
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  Biometric passport is different: item 11.3, 'Выдача (обмен) биометрического паспорта гражданина Республики Беларусь', lists an application, the identification card and fee proof but no photograph, so there is no print to bring. Our print is for the paper passport route only.
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  Fees are in 'базовая величина' (base units): '1 базовая величина – для иных граждан Республики Беларусь' for the paper passport, '2 базовые величины – для иных граждан Республики Беларусь' for the biometric one, with one extra unit for accelerated and two for urgent service.
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  Timing: paper passport '1 месяц со дня подачи заявления – для иных граждан Республики Беларусь' (15 days accelerated, 7 days urgent in Minsk and regional centres); biometric '15 рабочих дней со дня подачи заявления – для иных граждан Республики Беларусь'.
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  Validity: paper passport '10 лет – для граждан Республики Беларусь, не достигших 64-летнего возраста' (to age 100 or 125 for those 64 and 99 and over); biometric 10 years, '5 лет – для граждан Республики Беларусь, не достигших 14-летнего возраста'.
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  Men aged 18 to 27 add a military-commissariat certificate; parents of under-18s add the child's birth certificate; a marriage certificate is listed for married applicants.
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  The MVD site itself never shows this list: its pages are client-rendered and its 'Административные процедуры' page only links the decree, so the rule is quoted from the National Legal Internet Portal (pravo.by).

Good to know before you pay

Belarusian photo studios know the 40 x 50 mm four-on-a-sheet format for the paper passport; if you apply for the biometric passport the decree lists no photo at all.

Frequently asked questions