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South Korea passport photo size & requirements

South Korean passport photos are 35 x 45 mm with a plain white background and a face height of 32–36 mm.

South Korea issues its biometric e-passport (전자여권) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (외교부). The photo standard is 35 x 45 mm with a plain white background and the face measuring 32–36 mm from chin to crown, in line with ICAO biometric requirements. South Korea is notable for the strictness with which it enforces the white background rule — unlike some other countries that accept light grey, South Korean passport offices specifically require white, and any tint toward grey or cream will cause the photo to be rejected.

South Korea introduced the next-generation passport (차세대 전자여권) in December 2021 with enhanced security features and an extended 10-year validity for adults. The same photo format applies. South Korea also has a specific recommendation — not a hard rule — that ears should be visible in the photo where the hairstyle allows, and that hair should not cover the eyes. There is a strong cultural expectation in South Korea around photo presentation, and heavy make-up that significantly alters skin tone or facial features is considered grounds for rejection, as the photo must match the biometric facial data captured at the passport office.

Photo size
35 x 45 mm
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height
Face from chin to crown about 32–36 mm
Background
Plain white
Make my South Korean photo How to print it

South Korea passport photo requirements

  • Photo must be 35 x 45 mm and taken within the last six months.
  • Plain white background with no shadows behind the head.
  • Ears should be visible where possible and hair must not cover the eyes.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, facing the camera directly.
  • No coloured contact lenses or heavy makeup that alters your appearance.
  • No glasses are recommended; if worn, frames must not cover the eyes and must have no glare.

Common reasons South Korea passport photos get rejected

Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.

  • Background that is not pure white — even a very slight grey or cream tint in the background is rejected. South Korean passport offices are among the strictest in Asia about background colour.
  • Heavy make-up that significantly changes facial appearance — particularly foundation that strongly alters skin tone, heavy contouring, or eye make-up that changes the apparent eye shape.
  • Coloured contact lenses or circle lenses that change the apparent iris colour or size.
  • Glasses in the photo — while not formally banned, South Korean passport offices strongly discourage glasses and will request a new photo if there is any glare.
  • Head tilted or rotated even slightly — the Korean biometric check measures facial symmetry and alignment.
  • Photo taken more than six months before the application date.

Make your South Korea passport photo

Use our free passport size photo maker — select South Korea from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (35 x 45 mm) and background settings for you.

Crop, remove background, and download a compliant South Korea passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.

Open Passport Size Photo Maker

Select South Korea in the tool to get the exact 35 x 45 mm preset.

Other countries

United States flag United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) Albania flag Albania 35 x 45 mm Australia flag Australia 35 x 45 mm Brazil flag Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in Canada flag Canada 50 x 70 mm China flag China 33 x 48 mm France flag France 35 x 45 mm Germany flag Germany 35 x 45 mm Iceland flag Iceland 35 x 45 mm India flag India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) Ireland flag Ireland 35 x 45 mm Italy flag Italy 35 x 45 mm Japan flag Japan 35 x 45 mm Luxembourg flag Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm Malaysia flag Malaysia 35 x 50 mm Netherlands flag Netherlands 35 x 45 mm New Zealand flag New Zealand 35 x 45 mm Nigeria flag Nigeria 35 x 45 mm Norway flag Norway 35 x 45 mm Pakistan flag Pakistan 35 x 45 mm Philippines flag Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) Russia flag Russia 35 x 45 mm Saudi Arabia flag Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) Schengen / EU flag Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm Singapore flag Singapore 35 x 45 mm South Africa flag South Africa 35 x 45 mm Spain flag Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm Switzerland flag Switzerland 35 x 45 mm Thailand flag Thailand 35 x 45 mm Turkey flag Turkey 50 x 60 mm United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm United Kingdom flag United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm Vietnam flag Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)