SOUTH KOREA PASSPORT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
Follow these key rules to make sure your photo is accepted.
DIMENSIONS
Photo size: 35 × 45 mm
Head size: 32 – 36 mm
FACE POSITION & SIZE
Keep your head centered with even space around.
BACKGROUND
Important Note
South Korea passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Ensure a plain white background, glasses permitted, and exact 35 × 45 mm sizing.
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Quick reference: South Korea passport photo specifications
Before submitting your application via the Korea Passport Portal (passport.go.kr) or at a Korean embassy or consulate, ensure your photo meets every parameter in this table.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size (Paper) | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Digital resolution | 413 × 531 px @ 300 DPI |
| Face height | 32 – 36 mm (71–80% of total height) |
| File format & size | JPEG, 50 KB – 300 KB |
| Background colour | White |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses policy | Permitted with thin, non-reflective frames |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Official South Korea passport photo dimensions
South Korean passport photo requirements specify photos must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (crown) must occupy between 70% and 80% of the total photo height, which corresponds to approximately 31–36 mm. The face must be centred within the frame both horizontally and vertically.
Important Note on File Size & Resolution
South Korea passport photo size in mm, cm, and inches
| Unit | Width | Height | Face height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres (mm) | 35 mm | 45 mm | 32 – 36 mm |
| Centimetres (cm) | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 3.2–3.6 cm |
| Inches (in) | 1.38 in | 1.77 in | 1.26–1.42 in |
| Pixels (px @ 300 DPI) | 413 px | 531 px | 377–425 px |
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Need a South Korea Visa Photo instead?
View official biometric specs, size rules, and digital upload requirements for South Korea visa applications.
Print vs. digital: what changes between paper and online applications?
If you apply online via the Korea Passport Portal (passport.go.kr), you upload a single digital JPEG file as part of your application. If you apply through a Korean embassy or consulate with a paper application, you will typically be required to attach one printed photo to your application form. The face position, expression, and background rules are identical for both — only the output format differs.
| Aspect | Print (paper form) | Digital (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px |
| Format | Colour print on photo paper | JPEG (50 KB – 300 KB) |
| Background | White | White |
| Resolution | Min 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
Background requirements for South Korea passport photos
The background must be plain white — pure white, not off-white, cream, light grey, or beige. It must be uniform in colour with no shadows, patterns, textures, gradients, or objects visible. The background must clearly contrast with your hair, face, and clothing. This is strictly enforced.
Do not use a background removal tool to digitally replace a coloured wall with white. Korean passport processing can detect composite images. Shoot in front of a genuinely pure white surface.
Face position, expression, and lighting requirements
Your face must be centred in the frame, looking directly at the camera lens with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Both sides of your face must be equally visible. Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face. Your eyes must be fully open and directed at the lens. Your mouth must be closed with a neutral expression — no smile, no frown.
Lighting must be even and diffused across the entire face. No harsh shadows should appear on your face or on the white background.
Glasses policy for South Korea passport photos
Glasses are generally not permitted in South Korean passport photos. Even thin-framed prescription glasses are typically rejected. Most applicants must remove all glasses before taking the photo.
Contact lenses that do not visibly alter the colour of the iris are acceptable. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never permitted.
South Korea passport photo checklist: do's and don'ts
Review these requirements carefully before uploading to the Korea Passport Portal or attending an embassy appointment.
Do
- Use a plain white background that is evenly lit and free of shadows, patterns, or textures
- Ensure your face is centred, forward-facing, and fully visible from chin to crown
- Keep your eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera lens
- Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth closed
- Use even, diffused lighting with no shadows on your face or background
- Include the tops of both shoulders and the base of the neck in the frame
- Ensure hair does not obscure your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face
- Submit a JPEG file under 200 KB with minimum resolution 413 × 531 pixels
- Have the photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Wear everyday clothing that contrasts well with the white background (avoid white tops)
Don't
- Wear glasses — they are generally not permitted for South Korean passport photos
- Smile, frown, tilt or turn your head, or allow your eyes to be partially closed
- Use a coloured, patterned, textured, or off-white/grey background — only plain white is accepted
- Retouch, filter, adjust brightness/contrast, or digitally alter the photo in any way
- Submit a scanned photo or a picture of a printed photo
- Upload a JPEG file above 200 KB to the online portal
- Wear hats, caps, or fashion headwear (religious head coverings permitted with conditions)
- Allow hair, large jewellery, or accessories to cover your eyes or face
- Use a photo older than 6 months
- Use a black-and-white, sepia, or heavily compressed image
How to take a correct South Korea passport photo at home (step-by-step)
Following these six steps will produce a photo that meets South Korean passport requirements.
Set up a plain white background
Stand or sit in front of a plain white wall or surface. The background must be pure white with no shadows, patterns, textures, or objects. If you do not have a suitable wall, hang a plain white sheet without wrinkles. Avoid off-white, cream, or grey backgrounds — only pure white is accepted.
Set up balanced, diffused lighting
Use natural daylight from a large window, or two balanced artificial lights at equal height and distance on either side of your face. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and shadows. Soft, even lighting is crucial for a pure white background and a well-lit face without shadows under the chin or in the eye sockets.
Position your head and body correctly
Face the camera directly with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Your chin should be neither raised nor lowered. Both sides of your face should be equally visible. Your shoulders and the base of your neck should appear at the bottom of the frame. Position yourself approximately 45–60 cm from the camera.
Take the photo
Open your eyes fully and look directly into the lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Remove all glasses before the shot. Ask someone else to take the photo for better framing and sharpness.
Crop and size the image
For paper submissions, crop to exactly 35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI minimum, ensuring the face occupies 70–80% of the height. For online submissions, ensure the resolution is at least 413 × 531 pixels. Export as a JPEG file under 200 KB — this is a strict maximum. Resize and compress carefully.
Check before submitting
Verify the background is pure white and shadow-free, no glasses are in the photo, eyes are fully open with a neutral expression, the face occupies 70–80% of the frame, hair does not obscure the face, resolution is at least 413×531 pixels, and the JPEG file is under 200 KB before submitting.
Common South Korea passport photo rejection reasons in 2026
The Korea Passport Portal checks biometric compliance, image quality, resolution, and file specifications.
Incorrect background colour or shadows
South Korea requires a plain white background — not off-white, cream, light grey, or beige. Any shadows, patterns, textures, or non-white backgrounds will lead to rejection. The background must be pure white and completely uniform.
Glasses in the photo
Glasses are generally not permitted in South Korean passport photos. Most applicants must remove glasses before taking the photo. Even thin-framed glasses are often rejected. If you have a medical necessity, a signed doctor\
Non-neutral expression or head position
Smiling, open mouth, tilted head, head turned to the side, raised eyebrows, or partially closed eyes are detected by biometric checks. Your head must be level and upright, facing the camera directly with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
Face proportion out of range
Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70–80% of the 45 mm photo height (approximately 31–36 mm). A face that is too small (shot from too far away) or too large (over-cropped) will be rejected.
File size exceeds 200 KB or resolution too low
The South Korean online passport portal has a strict maximum file size of 200 KB and a minimum resolution of 413 × 531 pixels. Files larger than 200 KB will be rejected. Files below the minimum resolution will fail quality checks.
Photo older than 6 months
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected during processing.
Hair or accessories obscuring the face
Hair covering the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes, and large earrings or accessories casting shadows on the face, are common causes of rejection. Pull hair back fully so the entire face is clearly visible.
South Korea passport photo requirements for babies and children
Children of all ages must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from above.
For children aged 3 and over, all standard requirements apply: mouth closed, eyes open, neutral expression, plain white background.
Religious head coverings in South Korea passport photos
Religious head coverings are permitted provided they are worn daily for religious reasons and your full face remains clearly visible.
Fashion hats, caps, and decorative headwear are not permitted.
Official sources
These pages are the authoritative references.
Frequently asked questions: South Korea passport photo 2026
What is the South Korea passport photo size requirement in 2026?
South Korea passport photos must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (approximately 31–36 mm). The background must be plain white — not off-white, cream, or grey. For online applications, the JPEG file must be under 200 KB with a minimum resolution of 413 × 531 pixels.
What is the South Korea passport photo size in pixels?
South Korea requires a minimum resolution of 413 × 531 pixels for digital photo uploads. A resolution of 600 × 800 pixels or higher is recommended for better quality, as long as the file size stays under the strict 200 KB maximum.
What is the South Korea passport photo size in cm and inches?
The photo must be 3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high. In inches, that is approximately 1.38 inches wide by 1.77 inches high.
What colour must the background be for a South Korea passport photo?
The background must be plain white — pure white, not off-white, cream, light grey, or beige. It must be shadow-free with no patterns or textures. This is strictly enforced, so ensure your background is genuinely pure white.
Can I wear glasses in a South Korea passport photo?
Generally, no. Glasses are not permitted for most South Korean passport applicants. Even thin-framed glasses are typically rejected. If you have a medical necessity, you should remove them anyway unless you have a signed doctor\
Can I smile in a South Korea passport photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes fully open. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, head tilt, and any non-neutral expression will be detected by biometric processing and will cause your photo to be rejected.
How recent must a South Korea passport photo be?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance. Photos that are older or that do not match your current look will be rejected.
What is the file size limit for South Korea passport online photo upload?
The South Korean online passport portal has a strict maximum file size of 200 KB and a minimum resolution of 413 × 531 pixels. Files over 200 KB will be rejected. Most smartphone photos are several megabytes and must be significantly compressed before uploading.
Are South Korea tourist passport and student passport photo requirements different?
No. The same 35 × 45 mm specification and biometric requirements apply across all South Korean passport categories, including tourist (C-3), student (D-2), and business passports. Always check the specific documentation checklist for your passport type on the official Korean embassy website.
Can I retouch or edit my South Korea passport photo?
No. Any form of digital retouching or editing is prohibited. This includes skin smoothing, blemish removal, background replacement, and brightness or contrast adjustments. The submitted file must be the original, unaltered digital capture.
What should I wear for a South Korea passport photo?
Wear everyday clothing that clearly contrasts with the white background. Avoid white or very pale tops that blend with the background. Do not wear uniforms, costumes, or anything that obscures the face or neck. Religious dress is permitted if the full face remains visible.
Are religious head coverings allowed in a South Korea passport photo?
Yes, provided the covering is worn daily for religious reasons and your full face from chin to crown remains clearly visible. The covering must be plain material with no patterns, must not cast shadows on your face or background, and both side edges of the face must be visible.
What are the South Korea passport photo requirements for babies and children?
Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above. All standard requirements apply, with some flexibility on expression for very young infants.
Should a South Korea passport photo be matte or glossy?
For paper submissions, either matte or glossy photo paper is acceptable. For digital submissions via the online portal, paper finish is irrelevant. Ensure printed photos are on high-quality photo paper.
Can I use a photo taken on my phone for a South Korea passport?
Yes, provided the photo meets all requirements: plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses, face occupying 70–80% of the 35×45 mm frame, resolution at least 413×531 pixels, JPEG format under 200 KB. Have a second person take the photo rather than using a selfie. You will need to compress the image significantly to get under 200 KB.
What is the K-ETA photo requirement?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) requires a digital photo that meets similar standards: 35×45 mm proportion, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, JPEG under 200 KB, minimum 413×531 pixels. The same preparation guidelines apply for K-ETA applications.
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