In a significant development for the faithful, Russia's government has announced relaxed guidelines for citizenship applications from hijab-wearing women. The Russian Interior Ministry recently confirmed that headscarves and hijabs are now permissible in passport photographs, effective May 5th.
According to official documents, applicants whose religious beliefs require them to wear head coverings in the presence of strangers may submit photographs with appropriate head coverings that do not obscure the face's oval shape. However, photographs where scarves fully or partially conceal the chin will not be accepted.
Notably, while Russian citizens were already allowed to use hijab-clad photographs for various documents like passport applications, driver's licenses, work permits, and patents, this new relaxation extends to applicants of other nationalities as well.
According to official documents, applicants whose religious beliefs require them to wear head coverings in the presence of strangers may submit photographs with appropriate head coverings that do not obscure the face's oval shape. However, photographs where scarves fully or partially conceal the chin will not be accepted.
Notably, while Russian citizens were already allowed to use hijab-clad photographs for various documents like passport applications, driver's licenses, work permits, and patents, this new relaxation extends to applicants of other nationalities as well.