South Korea Passport Photo Rules
South Korea's passport photo standards are set out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its passport guidance site. The format is 35 x 45 mm with the head measuring 32 to 36 mm from the top of the head (excluding hair) to the chin, on a white background — and the guidance is explicit that you must not edit the photo or remove the background. This guide covers the specification, the editing ban, and the digital file size for online applications. This page covers South Korea (Republic of Korea) rules. Verified against the official passport.go.kr page, 2026-09-30.
The requirements at a glance
| Size | 35 x 45 mm (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) |
| Head length | 32–36 mm (3.2–3.6 cm), top of head (excluding hair) to chin |
| Background | White |
| Digital file (online) | Recommended 413 x 531 pixels |
| Editing | Not permitted — no retouching or artificial background removal |
| Glasses | Allowed, but no reflection on the lenses |
| Hair | Must not cover the face outline (cheekbones, cheeks) |
Size and head length
The photo is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm tall (35 x 45 mm). The head length — measured from the top of the head to the chin — must be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm (32–36 mm). Note the Korean wording: the top of the head is measured excluding the hair, so tall hair or a hairstyle that sits above the crown does not count towards the head length. A photo whose head length falls outside that range is one of the failures the guidance calls out by name.
Background
The background must be white. A photo whose background is not white does not meet the requirement. This is stricter than a "plain light background" rule in some other countries: for Korea it is specifically white, and the rest of the framing has to support it — avoid clothing that blends into the background. For general clean-up advice, see the passport photo backgrounds guide.
No editing — the rule people miss
Korea's guidance specifically prohibits using photo-editing software (it names Photoshop as an example) to artificially remove or change the background. The point is that the photo must genuinely represent you and the setting, so editing tricks that "fix" a bad background are exactly what the rule is aimed at. The safe approach is to shoot against a real white background and leave the file untouched. Our photo editing rules guide explains what counts as editing, and the ICAO 9303 guide sets out the international standard the rules are built on.
Pose, hair and glasses
Your hair must not cover the outline of your face, for example the cheekbones or cheeks — the face shape must be clearly readable. If you wear glasses, there must be no light reflection on the lenses; glare is one of the named causes of rejection, and the usual fix is to move or diffuse the light or to take the glasses off. For more, see the glasses guide and the head coverings guide if a religious or medical covering applies.
Online applications and the digital file
For an online passport application, the recommended digital photo is 413 x 531 pixels, which corresponds to the 35 x 45 mm format at 300 DPI. That pixel size is the one to target if you are preparing the image yourself rather than having it taken at a studio, and it is worth checking it before you upload. Our digital file requirements guide covers file formats and sizes, and the passport photo checker can help you confirm the framing.
The failures the guidance names
Korean passport guidance does not just describe a good photo — it lists the mistakes that get a photo rejected. Knowing them is the fastest way to avoid a re-shoot:
| Head length outside 3.2–3.6 cm | Re-measure from the top of the head (excluding hair) to the chin and reframe. |
| Background not white | Shoot against a real white background rather than editing one in. |
| Background artificially removed | Do not use photo-editing software to cut out or replace the background. |
| Glare on glasses | Move or diffuse the light, or remove the glasses for the shot. |
| Hair covering the face outline | Keep hair clear of the cheekbones and cheeks. |
| A close-up that distorts the face | A too-close or wide-angle framing makes the nose and forehead look larger and the ears smaller than life; shoot from a sensible distance. |
Because these are the specific points the passport authority looks at, treating them as a checklist before you submit — rather than after a rejection — is the practical way to get the photo accepted first time.
Common mistakes
- A head length outside 32–36 mm, or measuring to the top of the hair rather than the top of the head.
- A background that is not white.
- Using editing software to remove or replace the background.
- Glare on the lenses of glasses.
- Hair covering the cheekbones, cheeks or other parts of the face outline.
Korea is one of several countries with a dedicated rules page in our country-rules family, alongside Taiwan, Canada, Ireland and Singapore. For photo sizes by country, see photo sizes.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of Korea) — passport guidance "Yeogwon sajin" (passport photo) page, retrieved 2026-09-30. Requirements can change, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a South Korean passport photo?
35 x 45 mm (3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm tall). For online applications the recommended digital file is 413 x 531 pixels.
How long must the head be?
The head length — from the top of the head (excluding hair) to the chin — must be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm, that is 32 to 36 mm.
What background colour is required?
White. A photo whose background is not white does not meet the requirement.
Can I edit the photo or change the background?
No. Using photo-editing software (for example Photoshop) to artificially remove or replace the background is not allowed, and neither is any other retouching. The photo must show you as you actually look.
Can I wear glasses?
If you wear glasses, there must be no light reflection on the lenses. Glare on the glasses is one of the listed reasons a photo is rejected.
Can my hair cover my face?
No. Your hair must not cover the outline of your face, such as the cheekbones or cheeks.
Is the photo checked for these rules?
Yes — the Korean passport guidance lists the common failures explicitly (head length outside 3.2-3.6 cm, a non-white background, an artificially removed background, glasses glare, and hair covering the face), which is why it is worth getting the photo right before you apply.
How old can the photo be?
The Korean passport photo guidance retrieved for this page does not state a validity period, so no figure is given here; check the current page before you apply.