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South Korea Passport Photo Guide

If you plan to obtain a Korean passport, it's important to note that the photo of your passport must meet certain requirements. The photo should measure 35x45mm and have a white background. When taking the photo, face the camera directly and maintain a neutral expression with open eyes and visible ears. You are not allowed to wear any headwear unless it is for religious reasons and you have proof of it. Glasses are acceptable as long as they don't cover your eyes. It's recommended to ensure high resolution and preferably color printing for the best possible outcome. Lastly, you need to submit two identical photos. You can continue reading to learn more about the full specifications of Korea passport photo.

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Here’s a comprehensive guide to Korean passport photo requirements1

Dimensions

  • Size: 35mm x 45mm (width x height), or 1.38″ x 1.77″
  • Head size: Head should measure between 25-35mm (0.98″ – 1.38″) in height
  • Format: Rectangular, landscape orientation

Face Appearance

  • Expression: Neutral expression with closed lips (no smiling or frowning)
  • Eyes: Open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
  • Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious purposes with proof (e.g., hijab, turban) – full face and facial features must be visible.
  • Glasses: Allowed if prescription and do not obscure eyes (clear frames preferred).
  • Hair: Should not cover eyes or eyebrows.
  • Background: Plain white background, no patterns or shadows.

Technical Specifications

  • Resolution: Minimum 600 dpi (dots per inch)
  • Color: Preferred, but black and white is also acceptable.
  • File format: JPG/JPEG
  • File size: Less than 240 KB
  • Number of photos: Two identical photos required

Additional Notes

  • Photo must be recent, taken within the last six months.
  • No shadows or reflections on the face or background.
  • Photos must be printed on high-quality photo paper.
  • For babies and young children, someone may support them, but their hands should not be visible in the photo.
  • If you have any doubts about your photo compliance, it’s best to consult a professional photo service or your local Korean embassy/consulate.

Knowing the Korean passport photo guide is crucial for several reasons

  • Ensuring Approval: Following the official guidelines guarantees a higher chance of your photo getting approved on the first try. This saves time and avoids the hassle of re-taking and resubmitting photos, potentially delaying your passport application process.
  • Avoiding Delays and Frustration: Non-compliant photos can lead to application delays or rejection, causing frustration and inconvenience. Knowing the specific rules ensures you present a photo that meets all the requirements, preventing unnecessary delays.
  • Accurate Representation: A correctly taken passport photo serves as your official identification for many years. It’s crucial to have an image that accurately represents your current appearance, ensuring smooth travel and identification checks worldwide.
  • Avoiding Rejection at Passport Control: Border officials rely heavily on passport photos for identification. An unprofessional or non-compliant photo could raise suspicion and lead to additional scrutiny or even rejection at passport control, causing significant travel disruptions.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing you have followed the correct photo guidelines provides peace of mind and ensures a smoother application experience. You can confidently submit your passport application without worrying about potential photo-related issues.

Overall, knowing the Korean passport photo guide is essential for a smooth, efficient, and stress-free passport application process. It ensures your photo meets all requirements, accurately reflects your appearance, and contributes to a positive travel experience.


Visas for Future Passport Photo Service

Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a Korean passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home. For every product sold, we plant a tree!


How it works

Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.

How to take your passport photo

Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:

1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.

2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!

3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.

4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.


Benefits of using an online passport photo service

There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:

  1. You don’t have to leave your house.
  2. We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
  3. We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
  4. Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.

Why choose us

Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:

  • Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
  • Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
  • Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, making your trip-planning process easier.
  • Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
  • Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.

Photo guidelines for babies, infants, and children on Korean passports

General Requirements

  • Dimensions: 35mm x 45mm
  • Background: Plain light background (white or off-white preferred)
  • Expression: Neutral expression with closed lips (no smiling or frowning)
  • Eyes: Open and clearly visible
  • Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious purposes with proof.
  • Glasses: Okay if they don’t obscure the eyes.
  • Resolution: Minimum 600 dpi
  • Color: Preferred, but black and white is also acceptable.

Tips for specific age groups

  • Newborns and infants:
    • Lay the baby comfortably on a plain background with head support.
    • Ensure someone’s hands are not visible in the photo while supporting the baby.
    • Gently open the baby’s eyes if possible.
  • Young children (One (1) to three (3) years old)
    • Use toys or games to capture their attention and encourage them to look at the camera.
    • Be patient and take multiple photos to increase the chance of getting a good shot.
    • Consider having someone sit behind the camera to make funny faces and grab the child’s attention.
  • Older children (Four years old and above)
    • Explain the importance of the photo and how to cooperate.
    • Practice taking photos beforehand to get them comfortable.

Tips and Advice for Getting Your Passport Photo Approved

Before you start

  • Review official requirements: Double-check the exact photo size, resolution, background, and other specifications for Korean passport applications.
  • Lighting is key: Use natural light or diffused artificial lighting to avoid shadows and uneven exposure. White walls or plain fabric can act as backdrops.
  • Camera quality matters: While phone cameras can work, a DSLR or mirrorless camera offers better control and image quality.
  • Get help: Recruit a friend or family member to take your photo and ensure proper positioning and expression.

Taking the photo

  • Dress appropriately: Neutral colors and solid clothing work best. Avoid busy patterns or anything that covers your face or shoulders.
  • Minimize makeup: Opt for natural makeup, avoiding lipstick or anything altering your facial features.
  • Pose correctly: Stand straight with your head centered and shoulders relaxed. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression and closed lips.
  • Hair in check: Ensure your hair doesn’t cover your eyes or eyebrows. Glasses are only allowed if they don’t obscure your eyes.
  • Multiple takes: Capture several photos to increase the chances of getting a good shot.

Remember, taking your passport photo alone might not meet the requirements that lead to rejection. To ensure a government-compliant passport photo, you can use our passport photo service here at Visas for Future.

Online services for obtaining a valid Korean passport photo

To obtain a valid Korean passport photo, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Visas for Future and click on the “Get passport photo now” button.
  2. Fill out the order form and pay the fee.
  3. Upload your photo.
  4. Download your government-compliant passport photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smile in a Korean passport photo?

No, you cannot smile in a Korean passport photo. According to official guidelines, the photo must show a neutral expression with closed lips. Smiling, frowning, or any other expression outside of neutral are not allowed. The goal is to clearly and consistently represent your face for identification purposes.

What is the pixel size of a Korean passport photo?

Korean passport photo should be at least 827 pixels wide by 1063 pixels high. Remember, a higher resolution is always better, so don’t worry if your photo exceeds these minimum values.

What size photo is required for Korean ETA?

Dimensions: 530 x 690 pixels (ideal)
Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels (minimum)
File size: Less than 240 kilobytes
Format: JPG/JPEG
Content: Recent, color photo with a neutral expression, facing the camera directly, plain light background, eyes open, no headwear (except for religious reasons with proof), glasses are allowed if your eyes are visible.

Can I wear lipstick in a passport photo?

While technically not explicitly forbidden, it’s highly recommended not to wear lipstick in a Korean passport photo. Your photo should show a neutral expression with closed lips, and any color on your lips might disrupt this requirement. Stick to natural-looking makeup and avoid anything that could alter your appearance significantly.


  1. KOREA VISA PORTAL. (2024). KOREA VISA PORTAL. Visa.go.kr. https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10105 []

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Apple Gajes
Written by

Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.

Glen Vidania
Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Glen Vidania
Published by Visas for Future

Visas for Future strives to help you virtually, so that your research is complete in one visit. Our articles are informative, complete and to-the-point. We write in an accessible way, so that non-native English speakers will understand. Our website is accessible for the visually impaired. We have full oversight of our articles and are unbiased in writing. Check our editorial guidelines.

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Cite this article

MLA Style

Gajes, Apple. "South Korea Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-photo-size-for-south-korea-visa/. Accessed on 18 September 2023.

Chicago Style

Gajes, Apple. "South Korea Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 18, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-photo-size-for-south-korea-visa/.

Published: 18 Sep 2023 13:43 UTC

Last modified: 24 Mar 2024 8:02 UTC

Reading time: 8 minutes

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