South Korea passport and visa photo requirements
South Korea follows the ICAO 35×45 mm portrait with a plain white background. The passport office publishes a strict list of disqualifying details, and retouched photos are named explicitly.
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Opens the cropper with 35 × 45 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1⅜ × 1¾ in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 413 × 531 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | 32–36 mm from chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white, evenly lit |
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last 6 months.
- Expression. Natural, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking forward.
- Glasses. Not allowed — remove them. Coloured or tinted lenses are refused.
- Headwear. Not allowed except for religious reasons, and the face must be fully visible.
- Uniform. Photos in uniform, including school uniforms, are not accepted.
- Editing. No retouching, skin smoothing or background removal. The photo must be a true likeness.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG
- Framing
- The same 35×45 mm portrait, head 32–36 mm
- Where it is used
- The online passport application and the visa portal, which publish their own file limits
Common reasons photos get rejected
- A photo that has been beautified or filtered.
- A dark, coloured or shadowed background.
- Hair covering the eyes or eyebrows.
- A photo taken with a phone at arm’s length with perspective distortion.
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — passport portalKorean passport applications, photo standards and the online service.
- Korea Visa PortalVisa applications and photo requirements for Korea.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.