South Korea Passport Photo Requirements 2026
A South Korean passport photo must be 35×45 mm on a plain white background. The head — chin to crown — must be 32 to 36 mm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs applies this specification to Korean passports and visas. The Korean national ID card (jumin deungnokjeung) and the Alien Registration Card (ARC) use a smaller 30×40 mm format.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea Passport | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| South Korea Visa | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| South Korea Alien Registration | 30 × 40 mm (1.18 × 1.57 in) | |
| South Korea ID Card | 30 × 40 mm (1.18 × 1.57 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain white only. Korean photo offices are strict about white background uniformity.
Expression and eyes
Strictly neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No smiling.
Glasses
Glasses are not allowed in Korean biometric photos. Remove them.
Headwear
No headwear except for daily religious wear that does not cover the face.
Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
Digital format
For online Korean e-services, biometric photos must be JPEG at 35×45 mm equivalent resolution.
Country-specific notes
- South Korean passport and visa share the 35×45 mm format; ID Card and ARC use a smaller 30×40 mm format.
- Glasses are not allowed in Korean biometric photos.
- Photo retouching (filters, skin smoothing) is strictly rejected — Korea applies forensic checks.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Wearing glasses.
- 2 Background is not pure white.
- 3 Smiling.
- 4 Photo digitally retouched.
- 5 Hair covering the eyebrows or eyes.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Plain white background
Stand 0.5 m from a pure white wall. Diffuse daylight in front, no shadow behind.
Remove glasses, neutral expression
Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. No glasses, mouth closed, no smile.
No retouching, no filters
Korean authorities reject digitally retouched photos. Our app outputs an unretouched 35×45 mm file.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a South Korean passport photo? +
Can I wear glasses for a Korean passport photo? +
Is photo retouching allowed? +
Is the same photo used for the Korean ID Card? +
Can I take a Korean passport photo at home? +
Take a photo that passes — automatically.
Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.