Korean Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Last verified: February 2026

South Korean passport photos use a 35×45 mm format with a plain white background — the same dimensions as most European countries. This guide covers passport and visa photo requirements, the no-digital-background-swap rule, and what Koreans living abroad need to know.

Quick facts


Passport size	35×45 mm
Background	Plain white (solid)
Head height	32–36 mm (chin to crown)
Photos required	1 (paper application)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not permitted
Digital backgrounds	Not accepted
Source	Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.go.kr)

Critical rule: No digitally altered backgrounds

South Korea explicitly prohibits photos where the background has been removed and replaced using software (Photoshop or similar). The official requirement states: *"Photos with the background erased using photo editing software or an edited photo adding the person to a white background are not accepted."*

This is one of South Korea's strictest requirements. It means:

The photo must be taken against a real white background, not a digitally replaced one
Many online tools that swap backgrounds are therefore non-compliant for Korean passports
PixID replaces backgrounds — check with the specific Korean consulate handling your application before using

Passport photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall
Head height: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
Face coverage: head should occupy approximately 70–80% of the frame
Both ears visible in the photo
Shoulders visible in the frame

Background

Plain white only — solid, uniform, no patterns, no shadows, no borders. The background must be achieved through actual white backdrop photography, not digital replacement.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. No smiling or frowning.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, facing camera directly. No tilting or turning.
Glasses: not permitted. Coloured contact lenses also not permitted. Clear prescription contacts are allowed.
Head coverings: not permitted except for religious or medical reasons. Full face must be visible from forehead to chin.
Clothing: everyday attire. Uniforms not permitted. Do not wear white clothing — it cannot be distinguished from the background.
Accessories: earrings and jewellery should not reflect light or cover the outline of the face.
Turtlenecks and scarves: allowed unless they cover the outline of the face.

Quality

Colour photos only — but South Korea also accepts black and white (unusual among modern passports)
Sharp, no blur or pixelation
Even lighting — no shadows on face or background, no flash reflection
Printed on high-quality photo paper (gloss or matte finish both accepted)
Resolution: minimum 300 DPI (600 DPI recommended)
No digital retouching

Applying at Korean consulates abroad

For Koreans applying for a Korean passport at a consulate or embassy abroad, only 1 paper photo is required (unlike most countries that require 2). There is no online passport application for Korean nationals — in-person submission at a Korean consulate is required.

Digital passport photos are not accepted for Korean passport applications — you must bring a printed photo.

Korean consulates in the US:

Embassy in Washington DC (serves DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC)
Consulate General in New York (NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE)
Consulate General in Los Angeles (CA-Southern, AZ, NV, HI, Guam)
Consulate General in San Francisco (CA-Northern, OR, WA, AK, ID, MT, UT, CO)
Consulate General in Chicago (IL, IN, OH, MI, MN, WI, MO, KS, NE, IA, ND, SD)
Consulate General in Houston (TX, LA, AR, MS, OK, NM, TN, AL, GA, FL)

South Korean visa photos

For visa applications at Korean embassies and consulates:

Size: 35×45 mm — same as passport
Background: plain white or light grey (some sources specify grey for visa; white is universally accepted)
Face requirements: same as passport
Photos required: typically 1–2 (check specific visa category)
Recency: within 6 months

Child and baby passport photos

Same 35×45 mm size applies to all ages.

Child must be alone in the photo — no parents' hands, toys, or other people visible
Infants: same requirements apply, though relaxed expression is acceptable
Official guidance: *"The infant's toys or guardian shall not be in the picture"*

Common rejection reasons

Digitally replaced background — explicitly not accepted by Korean authorities
White clothing — blends into the white background
Glasses — not permitted, including tinted or coloured contacts
Head size outside 32–36 mm range
Shadows on face or background
Non-neutral expression — smiling or frowning
Flash reflection on face or background
Photo older than 6 months
Coloured contact lenses
Accessories reflecting light

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Korean passport photo?

35 mm wide × 45 mm tall. Head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown. One photo required for paper applications.

Can I use a digitally replaced white background for a Korean passport photo?

No. South Korean authorities explicitly reject photos where the background was removed using software and replaced with white. The photo must be taken against an actual white backdrop.

Can I wear glasses in a Korean passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted. Coloured contact lenses are also not allowed. Clear prescription contacts are fine.

Does South Korea accept black and white passport photos?

Yes — unusually, South Korea accepts both colour and black and white photos. However, colour is standard and recommended.

How many photos do I need for a Korean passport application?

One printed photo for consulate applications. Digital passport applications are not available for Korean nationals.

What background colour for a Korean visa photo?

Plain white. Some sources specify white or light grey for visas — white is accepted everywhere.

Can I apply for a Korean passport online?

No. Korean passport applications require in-person submission at a Korean consulate. There is no online option for Korean nationals.