Foto de Pasaporte de Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Passport Photo -- GRS Requirements for General and Biometric Passports

Kyrgyzstan's Gosudarstvennaya Registratsionnaya Sluzhba (Государственная регистрационная служба -- State Registration Service, GRS) administers all passport issuance from its central office in Bishkek and through regional offices across the country's seven oblasts. Kyrgyzstan issues two types of passports -- the obshchegrazhdanskiy pasport (general passport) and the biometricheskiy pasport (biometric passport) -- and photo requirements differ slightly between them. The biometric passport, introduced in 2009, uses the 35x45mm format with stricter enforcement, while some older general passport formats accepted 40x60mm photos. As of 2024, nearly all new applications require the biometric format.

The GRS publishes its requirements at grs.gov.kg, though much of the site is in Kyrgyz and Russian. Applicants can also reference information posted at Tsentr Obsluzhivaniya Naseleniya (ЦОН -- Public Service Centers), which handle most in-person passport processing.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI) for biometric passports
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-34 mm
• Face centered with even space on both sides
• The older 40x60mm format (472 x 709 pixels) may still be requested for certain internal documents, but the passport standard is 35x45mm

Background:

• Pure white -- not off-white, not light blue, not grey
• No shadows, gradients, or textures
• Uniform from edge to edge
• The GRS biometric scanner is calibrated for white backgrounds; any deviation triggers a manual review that adds processing time

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, no visible teeth
• Both eyes open and directed at the camera
• Face perfectly frontal -- no rotation or inclination
• Full face visible from the hairline to the bottom of the chin

Print requirements:

• Matte photo paper -- the GRS explicitly rejects glossy prints
• Color photo with accurate skin tones
• 300 DPI minimum for printed copies
• No digital manipulation, filters, or retouching of any kind

Kyrgyzstan-Specific Rules

Glasses: The GRS does not permit any glasses in biometric passport photos. This includes prescription frames with clear lenses, transition lenses, and sunglasses. This rule has been enforced since the biometric passport rollout. For the older general passport (if still applicable), glasses were historically allowed, causing confusion among applicants renewing from an older document.

Kalpak and head coverings: The traditional Kyrgyz kalpak (felt hat) is not permitted in passport photos. This can be a sensitive issue, as the kalpak holds significant cultural importance in Kyrgyz society. Religious head coverings -- hijab, turban, and similar -- are permitted with a written explanation of religious necessity. The covering must not obscure the face from forehead to chin and must not create shadows.

Ear visibility: Both ears should be visible. Hair covering the ears should be tucked back. This is enforced at ЦОН offices during the submission review.

Facial hair: Beards and mustaches are permitted and should reflect the applicant's everyday appearance. Do not alter facial hair between the photo session and the ЦОН appointment.

Photo recency: Photos must be no older than 6 months. GRS offices occasionally request more recent photos for applicants whose appearance has changed notably.

Clothing: The GRS does not publish specific clothing restrictions, but wearing white or very light-coloured clothing is inadvisable as it blends with the mandatory white background. Dark or coloured tops with clear collar definition produce the best results. Military or law enforcement uniforms are not permitted.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek: Photo studios are abundant in central Bishkek, especially along Chuy Prospekti, near the ЦОН office on Isanova Street, and around Osh Bazaar. Prices range from 100-300 KGS for a set of 4-6 passport photos. Studios near government offices are most reliable -- they update their equipment and backdrop specifications when GRS requirements change. Ask for "foto na biometricheskiy pasport" (фото на биометрический паспорт) to ensure the correct format.

Osh: Kyrgyzstan's second city has photo studios near the ЦОН office and along Lenin Street. Prices are typically 80-200 KGS for a set. Studios near the main bazaar also offer passport photo services.

Regional centers (Jalal-Abad, Karakol, Naryn, Talas, Batken): Each oblast capital has at least a few photo studios near the local ЦОН office. Pricing is lower than Bishkek -- 50-150 KGS for a set. In very small towns, ask at the nearest fotosalon or the ЦОН itself, as some centers have in-house photo stations.

ЦОН in-house photo service: Several ЦОН offices in Bishkek and Osh have added on-site photo booths or photographer stations. These charge 150-250 KGS and guarantee compliance with current GRS requirements -- they use the correct backdrop, lighting, and cropping template. This is the safest option for applicants concerned about rejection.

Home photography: If taking your photo at home, use a clean white sheet or poster board as a background. Stand at least 30 cm from the backdrop to minimize shadows. Natural daylight from a window works best, supplemented with a desk lamp if needed for even illumination. Use our tool to validate the 35x45mm framing and white background before printing at a local fotosalon on matte paper.

Baby and Child Photos

GRS rules for minors' passport photos:

• Newborns and infants under 1 year: Photograph the child lying on a white surface, face up. No parent hands, toys, or headwear. Both eyes ideally open, but the GRS accepts partially closed eyes for infants under 6 months.
• Children 1-5 years: The child must sit or stand facing the camera directly. Both eyes open, neutral or natural expression. A parent may support the child from behind but must not be visible. The white background rule applies without exception.
• Children 6-14: Full adult requirements apply, including the glasses ban and ear visibility.
• Children 15-17: Identical to adult requirements.
• Kyrgyz children's biometric passports are valid for 3 years (under 16) or 5 years (16-17). Younger children need new photos more frequently.
• Both parents must sign the application for a child's passport. Single-parent applicants need a court order or notarized consent.

Consular Applications for Kyrgyz Citizens Abroad

Kyrgyz embassies and consulates in Moscow, Istanbul, Ankara, Beijing, Seoul, Washington DC, and other cities process biometric passport applications for Kyrgyz citizens living abroad. The photo specifications are identical to those at domestic ЦОН offices. In Moscow, where the largest Kyrgyz diaspora community resides, photo studios near the Kyrgyz embassy on Bolshaya Ordynka Street offer passport photos in the correct 35x45mm format on matte paper for approximately 500-800 RUB. In Istanbul, studios in the Aksaray and Laleli districts catering to Central Asian communities charge around 50-100 TRY.

Consular processing times are generally longer than domestic -- expect 4-8 weeks for standard processing. Having compliant photos prepared before your consular appointment eliminates one potential cause of delay or additional visits.

Common Rejection Reasons

ЦОН offices and GRS data indicate these top rejection causes:

1. Glossy photo paper -- the most common Kyrgyzstan-specific rejection, as many studios still default to glossy prints; matte is required
2. Background not pure white -- studios using older backdrops that have yellowed or greyed with age
3. Glasses in the photo -- especially among applicants renewing older passports who assume previous rules still apply
4. Head covering (kalpak or hat) -- cultural headwear submitted in the photo despite the ban on non-religious coverings
5. Wrong dimensions -- submitting 40x60mm photos (the older general passport format) instead of the required 35x45mm for biometric passports
6. Facial expression -- smiling or visible teeth, particularly in photos taken at studios that cater primarily to portrait photography rather than documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Kyrgyzstan still issue non-biometric general passports? A: The GRS has phased out new general passport issuance for most applicants. Nearly all current applications require the biometric format with 35x45mm photos. Some existing general passports with 40x60mm photos remain valid until their expiration date.

Q: Can I wear my kalpak in my passport photo? A: No. Despite its cultural significance, the kalpak is classified as a hat and is not permitted in biometric passport photos. Only religious head coverings are allowed, with written justification.

Q: How much does a Kyrgyz biometric passport cost? A: Standard processing costs approximately 4,000-5,500 KGS. Expedited processing (3-5 business days) costs significantly more. Passport photo costs (100-300 KGS) are separate.

Q: The GRS website is mostly in Kyrgyz and Russian -- where can I find English-language instructions? A: English-language information is limited on grs.gov.kg. Kyrgyz embassies and consulates abroad typically provide English summaries of requirements. The ЦОН offices in Bishkek occasionally have English-speaking staff, but bringing a Russian or Kyrgyz speaker to your appointment is advisable.

Q: Are the photo requirements the same at a Kyrgyz consulate abroad? A: Yes. Kyrgyz consulates worldwide enforce the same GRS biometric passport photo specifications -- 35x45mm, white background, matte paper, no glasses. The consulate may accept photos taken at local studios in your country of residence as long as they meet GRS specs.

Q: Can I submit a digital photo instead of printed copies? A: ЦОН offices require 2 printed photos on matte paper. Some consulates abroad accept digital uploads for initial application processing, but printed copies are needed for the physical file. Check with your specific processing location.

Q: Can I wear contact lenses in my Kyrgyz passport photo? A: Corrective contact lenses that do not change your natural iris colour are permitted. Coloured or cosmetic contact lenses are not allowed -- your natural eye colour must be visible and unaltered in the photo.