South Korea Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Korean Passport Photo Size, White Background, Ear Visibility, and Upload Rules
South Korea passport photo size and MOFA rules for 2026, including Korean passport photo size in 35x45 mm, pure white background, both ears visible, and digital upload guidance for renewal workflows.
Overview
South Korean passport photos must comply with specifications issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of Korea. South Korea has adopted ICAO standards and enforces them rigorously, with a high rejection rate for non-compliant photos.
Searches for South Korea passport photo size or Korean passport photo size usually point to the same official rule set: a 35 x 45 mm biometric photo, a pure white background, and a face that still passes Korea’s stricter appearance checks such as visible ears and no glasses.
You need a compliant passport photo when applying for a new Korean passport, renewing your passport, or applying for any consular travel document. Korean passports are valid for 10 years for adults aged 18 and over, and 5 years for minors. Since 2021, South Korea has issued next-generation electronic passports (e-passports) with enhanced security features, and photo quality requirements have become even stricter.
South Korea is particularly strict about head size, the visibility of both ears, and a pure white background. Photos that deviate even slightly from the specifications are routinely rejected.
If you are uploading through an online renewal or Government24 workflow, combine this page with the digital passport photo requirements guide. The Korean biometric rules still come first, but the digital file setup matters once you move from a print hand-in to a portal upload.
To compare Korea against other 35 x 45 mm passports, keep the background-color guide and the passport photo requirements by country guide nearby. South Korea is stricter than most on pure white backgrounds, both ears visible, and the no-glasses rule.
South Korea passport photo checklist
- Photo size: 35 x 45 mm.
- Head height: keep the face in the 25-35 mm range from chin to crown.
- Background: pure white only, with no grey cast or shadow.
- Ears: both ears should remain visible.
- Glasses: remove them completely.
- Upload route: if you are renewing online, confirm the portal file-size limit before submitting the final JPEG.
That checklist is the safest answer to searches for Korean passport photo size. The outer dimensions matter, but the real rejection risk comes from ear visibility, white-background quality, and the final upload file.
Official Specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Document | Passport |
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Background | White |
| Head height | 25–35 mm |
The Korean passport photo must measure 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months. The head height from chin to crown must be between 25 mm and 35 mm, with the face centred in the image.
The wider acceptable head height range (25–35 mm) compared to some other countries gives slightly more flexibility, but in practice, Korean passport offices prefer the head to fill a significant portion of the frame.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 35 mm x 45 mm |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 25–35 mm |
| Background | Pure white |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
| Both ears | Must be visible |
| Print quality | Matte or semi-gloss photo paper |
Background Requirements
South Korea requires a pure white background. Unlike some countries that accept light grey or off-white, Korea specifically mandates white. The background must be completely uniform with no gradients, patterns, or visible objects.
This is one of the reasons Korean applicants should not reuse a photo prepared for Germany, France, or the UK without checking it carefully. Korea is much closer to the strict white-background lane than the light-grey or blue-grey exceptions seen elsewhere.
There must be no shadows on the background or on the applicant’s face. The lighting must be even and balanced to eliminate all shadows. The contrast between the subject and the white background must be clear, which is why wearing white or very light-coloured clothing is discouraged.
- Pure white background only (no off-white, grey, or blue)
- No shadows anywhere in the image
- No patterns, objects, or other people visible
- Background must be evenly lit and uniform
Clothing and Appearance
The applicant must have a neutral expression with the mouth closed and both eyes open. The face must be looking directly at the camera without any tilt or rotation.
Ears Must Be Visible
One of the most distinctive requirements for South Korean passport photos is that both ears must be fully visible. This means hair must be pulled back or tucked behind the ears. This applies to all applicants regardless of hairstyle. Long hair, bangs, or any hairstyle that covers the ears will result in rejection.
Glasses
Since 2018, South Korea has banned glasses in passport photos. This includes all types of glasses: prescription, reading, tinted, and sunglasses. There are no exceptions, even for medical reasons. Contact lenses are permitted as long as they are clear and do not alter the natural colour or appearance of the eyes.
Head Coverings and Accessories
Head coverings are not permitted unless worn for religious reasons, and even then, the full face and both ears must remain visible. Hairpins, ribbons, headbands, and decorative accessories are not allowed. Earrings are acceptable if they do not obscure the ears.
Important for Korean Applications
The ear visibility requirement catches many applicants off guard. Before taking your photo, make sure to fully pull your hair behind both ears. Even partially covered ears will lead to rejection.
How to Make It with Passlens
Passlens is configured with the exact South Korean passport photo specifications, including the strict white background and ear visibility requirements.
- Open Passlens and select the South Korea Passport preset.
- Before taking your photo, pull your hair behind both ears so they are fully visible. Remove any glasses.
- Take a photo or upload one. Stand in front of a plain wall with even lighting.
- Passlens will automatically replace the background with pure white, detect your face, and crop to the correct 35x45 mm size with your head height in the 25–35 mm range.
- Review the result carefully. Verify that both ears are visible, the background is pure white, and there are no shadows.
- Download or print your compliant photo.
Where to Submit
Korean passport applications are processed at various government offices depending on your location.
Within South Korea
Apply at your local gu-cheong (district office) or at a regional passport office operated by MOFA. Major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon have dedicated passport centres that handle large volumes of applications. Standard processing takes 4 to 5 business days. Expedited processing (1–2 days) is available for an additional fee.
Outside South Korea
Korean citizens abroad should apply at the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate General. Processing times vary by location but generally take 2 to 4 weeks. Some consulates offer a walk-in photo service, but bringing your own compliant photos speeds up the process.
Online Services
South Korea has introduced a partial online application system through the Government 24 (Jeongbu24) portal for renewals. You can upload your digital photo directly, but it must still meet all physical specifications when rendered at 35x45 mm.
If you are preparing the file for an upload portal instead of a print hand-in, keep the digital passport photo requirements guide nearby as well. It covers the pixel, JPEG, and file-size checks that sit on top of Korea’s MOFA photo rules.
Singapore is a useful comparison case here. Both countries care about the digital file, but South Korea still starts from the classic 35 x 45 mm biometric frame, while Singapore often foregrounds the portal-preferred 400 x 514 digital target. Use the Singapore passport photo guide if you want to compare those two upload models directly.
Common Mistakes
South Korean passport offices are among the strictest in the world when it comes to photo compliance. Here are the most common rejection reasons:
- Ears not visible: This is the single most common rejection reason for Korean passport photos. Both ears must be fully exposed.
- Wearing glasses: All glasses are banned. No exceptions.
- Background not pure white: Off-white, light grey, or slightly tinted backgrounds are rejected.
- Coloured contact lenses: Circle lenses and coloured contacts that alter eye appearance are not permitted.
- Facial expression: Any expression other than neutral (including slight smiles) is rejected.
- Shadows on the face or background: Harsh lighting that creates shadows under the nose, chin, or behind the head.
- Photo retouching: Digitally altered photos that change facial features, skin texture, or proportions are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does South Korea require both ears to be visible?
Ear shape is a biometric identifier used in facial recognition systems. South Korea’s e-passport programme relies on multiple facial landmarks for identity verification, and the ears provide additional data points for accurate matching.
Can I use a selfie for my Korean passport photo?
It is possible but not recommended. Selfies often produce distortion due to the wide-angle lens on front-facing cameras, and it is difficult to get even lighting and a proper white background. If you do use a selfie, ensure you hold the phone at arm’s length and use Passlens to correct the crop and background.
Are there different photo requirements for a Korean visa vs. passport?
Korean visa photos follow the same 35x45 mm format and white background requirement. However, some visa categories may have slightly different head size preferences. For standard visa applications, the passport photo specifications apply.
Can babies and toddlers wear a headband in their Korean passport photo?
No. All accessories including headbands, bows, and hair clips are prohibited for applicants of all ages. For babies, the ears must still be visible, and the child must be photographed alone against a white background.
What is the Korean passport photo size in pixels?
At 300 DPI, the standard 35 x 45 mm Korean passport photo works out to about 413 x 531 pixels. That is the print-equivalent export many people use as a baseline before they adapt the file for the actual renewal portal or digital-upload route.
Can bangs cover the forehead in a South Korean passport photo?
Only if the hair does not hide the eyebrows, eyes, or the visibility of both ears. In practice, South Korea is strict enough that many applicants pin bangs back before the photo. If the fringe causes shadow, covers facial features, or makes one ear less visible, the photo becomes risky.