Korean Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Background and Digital Specs
South Korean passport photo dimensions, white-background, recency, glasses and digital submission requirements.
Quick answer: A South Korean passport photo must be 35mm × 45mm, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain white background, neutral expression, and no glasses glare or head coverings (unless religious). Digital submissions typically require the image at a resolution matching 300–600 DPI within the 35×45mm proportions — confirm the exact pixel spec with the specific application portal, as this can vary slightly by service.
South Korea's passport photo standard is straightforward once you know the numbers, but a few details — like exact background tone and how the digital spec relates to the print size — are worth confirming before you submit.
Korean Passport Photo Size at a Glance
| Requirement | Spec |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35mm × 45mm |
| Pixels (300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels (600 DPI) | 827 × 1063 px |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head coverage | Face and head clearly visible, centred |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Discouraged — avoid glare and heavy frames; check current portal guidance for full permissibility |
Background and Quality Requirements
- Background must be a clean, plain white with no shadows, gradients, or texture
- No other people, objects, or patterns visible in frame
- Even, diffused lighting across the face, avoiding harsh shadows under the chin or around the eyes
- No filters, heavy retouching, or digital background replacement that alters natural skin tone
Digital Submission Notes
When submitting digitally (for online applications or renewals where available), the image should maintain the same 35×45mm proportions scaled to the required pixel dimensions. Because different application services may specify slightly different resolution requirements, always confirm the exact pixel count expected by the specific portal you're using rather than assuming a single fixed pixel size applies universally.
What Counts as a "Significant Appearance Change"
Korean passport photos are generally valid within 6 months of the application date, but if your appearance has changed substantially since your last photo, a new one is required regardless of how recently it was taken. Changes considered significant typically include:
- Gender transition
- Facial plastic surgery or a permanent facial change
- New or removed facial tattoos or piercings
- Significant weight gain or loss
Routine changes like a haircut, hair dye, or growing a beard are not considered significant and don't require a new photo.
Glasses: Passport vs. Visa Photos
Requirements can differ slightly between a Korean passport photo and a Korean visa photo. Passport photo guidance generally advises avoiding glasses to prevent glare or obstruction. Some visa photo guidance allows glasses as long as there's no glare and the eyes remain fully visible. If you're unsure which applies to your application, removing glasses entirely is the safer default.
Common Rejection Reasons
- Background with visible shadow or off-white tint
- Head size not properly centred or proportioned within the 35×45mm frame
- Photo older than 6 months, or appearance has changed significantly since the photo was taken
- Glare or reflection from glasses obscuring the eyes
- Low resolution causing visible pixelation on digital submission
FAQ
What is the exact size of a Korean passport photo? 35mm × 45mm, which converts to roughly 413×531px at 300 DPI or 827×1063px at 600 DPI.
Can I wear glasses in a Korean passport photo? Glasses are generally discouraged due to glare and glasses affecting eye visibility — check current guidance from the specific issuing authority for full details, as policies can be stricter than they first appear.
Does the background need to be pure white, or is off-white acceptable? Plain white is the safest choice. Off-white or tinted backgrounds risk rejection, even if they look acceptable on screen.
How recent does a Korean passport photo need to be? Taken within the last 6 months of your application date.
Is the pixel size the same across all Korean passport application portals? Not necessarily — while the 35×45mm physical proportions stay consistent, exact pixel requirements for digital uploads can vary by portal, so confirm the specific spec before submitting.
Getting the Size and Background Exactly Right
Between the exact 35×45mm proportions and the strict plain-white background requirement, small deviations are easy to miss on a phone screen but can cause a rejection at submission. photoomni crops and resizes your photo to the precise Korean passport photo dimensions, correcting background evenness and checking proportions automatically — so what you submit matches the spec exactly, not just approximately.