South Korea Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Author Sukhwinder SinghPublished June 18, 2026Reviewed July 2, 2026Spec source MOFA / passport offices

Republic of Korea passports (대한민국 여권) follow the standard 35 × 45 mm ICAO biometric format. Applications are handled by district passport offices (출입국·외국인 청 산하 여권과), community service centres (주민센터), and Korean embassies and consulates abroad. Korea is relatively strict about white backgrounds, no glasses, and photos that match the applicant's current appearance. This guide covers ordinary passport issuance and renewal for citizens, plus visa photos for foreign nationals applying at Korean consulates.

Spec in one line: 35×45 mm, white background, head 32–36 mm, no glasses, neutral expression, colour, taken within 6 months.

1. Exact dimensions

  • Size: 35 × 45 mm.
  • Head height: 32–36 mm chin to crown.
  • Background: plain white.
  • Print: colour on photo paper, 300 DPI.
  • Quantity: one photo for the application; some offices request one spare.
  • Digital: online passport renewal (where available) accepts JPEG uploads — typically 413×531 px.

2. Background and appearance rules

Korean passport offices expect a pure white backgroundwithout visible texture. Light grey is sometimes tolerated at smaller community centres but is rejected at major passport offices in Seoul and Busan about 10% of the time.

  • No shadow on the background or face.
  • No other people, objects, or furniture visible.
  • Hair must not cover the eyes; fringe should be pinned if needed.
  • Makeup is allowed but heavy contouring that changes face shape is discouraged.

3. Glasses and expression

  • No glasses since 2020 for biometric passport photos.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smile.
  • Look directly at the camera.
  • Religious head coverings allowed if the face is fully visible.

4. Korean visa photos (for foreign nationals)

If you are applying for a Korean visa (C-3 tourist, D-2 student, E-7 work, etc.) at a consulate, the photo spec matches the passport standard: 35×45 mm, white background, recent colour photo. The K-ETA electronic travel authorisation for visa-free short stays does not require a photo upload, but long-stay visa categories do.

5. Alien Registration Card (ARC) photos

Foreign residents renewing an Alien Registration Card use the same 35×45 mm spec at immigration offices. The photo is captured on-site at many Hi Korea immigration branches, but self-submitted photos are accepted for some mail-in renewals. Do not crop a passport photo from another country — use the Korea preset even if your home country shares the same mm size, because head-height tolerances differ slightly.

6. Common rejection reasons

  1. Background not white enough (~22%).
  2. Glasses worn (~18%).
  3. Head height out of range (~15%).
  4. Photo does not match current appearance (~12%). Significant weight or hair changes.
  5. Smile or non-neutral expression (~10%).
  6. Low print quality (~8%).
  7. Other (~15%).

7. Fees and processing (2026)

  • Adult passport (10 years, age 18–45): ₩53,000.
  • Adult passport (10 years, age 45+): ₩53,000 (same fee; validity rules differ by age).
  • Studio photo in Seoul: ₩8,000–15,000 for four prints.
  • Standard processing: same day to 4 working days depending on office and delivery option.

Create your South Korea passport photo

Select South Korea in the Free Passport Photo Maker, align to the head guides, set background to white, and download a print-ready sheet. Measure the first print with a ruler before cutting.