What size is a South Korean passport photo in 2026?

35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). This international standard has not changed in 2026.

What are the Korean passport photo requirements 2026?

35x45mm size, plain white background, neutral expression with mouth closed, no glasses, both ears visible, head 32-36mm chin-to-crown, taken within 6 months, no digital retouching.

Can I wear glasses in my Korean passport photo?

No. Glasses have been prohibited in Korean passport photos since 2018.

Can I use a photo booth for my Korean passport photo?

Yes, most Korean photo booths produce passport-compliant 35x45mm photos. However, specifically decline auto-beautify (보정) which can cause rejection.

What is the Korean passport photo pixel size?

Typical digital output: 413 x 531 pixels (at 300 DPI). Korean e-passport renewal system accepts up to 1200 x 1600 pixels.

Can I take my own Korean passport photo at home?

Yes, if it meets all specifications: 35x45mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, both ears visible, and no beauty filters applied.

What about heavy makeup in Korean passport photos?

Natural everyday makeup is fine. Avoid heavy contouring, smokey eyes, or lip colors that distort your natural appearance.

South Korea Passport Photo

Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-11

Photography Guidelines

1 Taken within the last 6 months
2 Plain white background with no shadows
3 Neutral expression with mouth closed
4 No glasses (policy since 2018)
5 Both ears must be visible
6 No head coverings unless for religious reasons
7 Head height 32-36 mm from chin to crown
8 No heavy makeup or digital beauty filters

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wearing glasses

Glasses are not allowed in Korean passport photos as of 2018

Ears not visible

Both ears must be clearly visible; hair should not cover ears

Over-retouched photo

Excessive digital retouching or beauty filters will cause rejection

Korean photo studio auto-beautify

Many Korean studios apply beauty filters by default — specifically request 'no retouch' (보정 없이) for passport photos

Wrong head size

Head must be 32-36mm chin-to-crown; smaller heads typical of Korean selfies will be rejected

How to Take Your Photo

Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.

DIY at Home

Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.

1 Stand against a plain, smooth, light-colored wall with even daylight from the front.
2 Use a tripod or steady surface so the camera is level with your eyes, ~1.5 m away.
3 Wear normal clothes that contrast with the background and remove glasses or hats.
4 Keep a neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes clearly visible.
5 Take several shots, pick the sharpest, then crop to the official size and DPI.
6 Save as the required file format and check file-size limits before submitting.

Using Your Smartphone

Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.

1 Use the rear camera (higher quality) and ask someone else to take the photo.
2 Stand 1–1.5 m from a plain wall; turn off flash and use natural daylight.
3 Tap to focus on the face and lock exposure so lighting stays consistent.
4 Frame head and shoulders so the head fills 50–70% of the height.
5 Avoid filters, beauty mode, and HDR — they distort facial features.
6 Crop to the exact ratio in a free tool, export at the required DPI.

With Our Online Service

Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.

1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie or full-body works.
2 Our AI auto-detects the face, removes the background, and applies the correct color.
3 It crops to the exact official dimensions for your selected document.
4 A compliance check flags head size, expression, lighting, and shadow issues.
5 Preview the result and retake free if anything looks off.
6 Download the digital file or order printed copies.

Price Comparison

Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.

Provider	Cost	Delivery	Notes
DIY at Home	Free	Instant	Requires a printer for hard copies
Local Photo Studio	$10–$20	Same day	Quality varies; not always compliance-checked
Pharmacy / Retailer	$10–$15	Same day	Convenient, but limited retake policies
Our Online Service	Free preview	Instant	AI compliance check, free retakes

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PhotoGov

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Frequently Asked Questions

Official References

Information on this page is based on the following official sources:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Passport Photo Guidelines