South Korea Passport Photo

Your South Korea Passport Photo -- What You Actually Need to Know

South Korea runs one of the strictest passport photo regimes in Asia. The Korean Immigration Service (출입국관리사무소) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly enforce a set of photo rules that catch even seasoned travelers off guard. Unlike many countries where a clean background and neutral expression are enough, Korea's specifications extend to ear visibility, hair placement, and an outright prohibition on any form of digital retouching -- a rule enforced with increasing technological sophistication since 2023.

The specifications below apply to all Korean passport (여권) applications filed at gu-cheong (구청) district offices, dong-office (동사무소) neighborhood offices, or through the online renewal portal at passport.go.kr. The same standards govern Korean visa photos, resident registration photos, and most government-issued ID photos. As of 2025, South Korea's automated photo screening system rejects approximately 18% of submitted photos on first attempt.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height: 25-35 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (not the top of the hair)
• Face width: approximately 25-32 mm across both cheeks
• Eyes must be positioned roughly in the center horizontal third of the photo

Background:

• Pure white only -- not off-white, not cream, not light grey
• Zero shadows, zero texture, zero gradation
• The Korean system is particularly sensitive to background inconsistency; even a faint shadow from overhead lighting triggers rejection

Expression, pose, and the ear rule:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking directly at the lens
• No tilting, no turning -- face must be perfectly frontal
• Both ears must be fully visible. Hair cannot cover, partially obscure, or cast a shadow over either ear. This is the single most common rejection reason for Korean applicants. If you have long hair, tuck it behind both ears or pin it back before shooting.

What you cannot wear:

• No glasses of any kind. Korea banned glasses in passport photos entirely -- no exceptions for clear prescription lenses. This differs from some countries that allow non-tinted frames.
• No colored contact lenses, circle lenses, or cosmetic lenses of any type. Natural eye color must be clearly visible.
• No hats, headbands, hair accessories that alter the silhouette of the head, or any head covering except for documented religious reasons
• No earphones, hearing aids must be removed if visible
• No uniforms (military, school, work) -- civilian clothing only

The Retouching Ban and Korean Beauty Culture

South Korea has the world's highest per-capita spending on cosmetic procedures and beauty products. The government is acutely aware that the culture of photo retouching (보정) extends deep into everyday photography. Beginning in 2019 and strengthened through 2024, the Korean Immigration Service deployed AI-based detection systems that flag:

• Skin smoothing or blemish removal
• Jawline reshaping (V-line editing)
• Eye enlargement
• Nose bridge enhancement
• Any filter from apps like Snow, B612, or SODA
• AI-generated portrait modifications of any kind

The system compares the submitted photo against biometric data from previous documents. Photos that deviate from expected facial geometry by more than a threshold trigger manual review. Professional photo studios in Korea understand this -- they will adjust lighting and exposure but will not digitally alter facial features. If you use our tool to prepare your photo at home, submit it exactly as produced. Do not apply any post-processing.

Where to Get Passport Photos in South Korea

Photo studios (사진관): Studios near gu-cheong district offices and dong-office neighborhood centers specialize in government document photos. They know the exact specifications and will pose you correctly. Expect to pay 15,000-30,000 KRW for a set of prints. Higher-end studios in Gangnam or Myeongdong charge up to 50,000 KRW but offer better lighting setups. Ask for 증명사진 (jeungmyeong sajin -- "ID photo") to make sure they apply the correct framing, not a portrait crop.

Subway station photo booths: Most Seoul Metro, Busan Metro, and Daegu Metro stations have automated photo booths. These cost 5,000-8,000 KRW for a strip of prints. There are two types of booths, and the distinction matters:

• 증명사진 (ID photo) booths -- these are calibrated for passport-compliant output with white backgrounds, correct head positioning guides, and proper dimensions. Look for booths labeled specifically as ID or document photo booths.
• 인생네컷 (life four-cut) style booths -- these are entertainment photo booths designed for fun sticker photos with filters, frames, and effects. They are absolutely not suitable for passport photos. Do not use them.

The ID-style booths display on-screen positioning guides. Follow them precisely. The booth will print a sheet with multiple copies. One tip: if the first shot looks off, most booths allow a retake within the session at no extra charge.

Convenience stores and print shops: If you have a compliant digital photo, you can print passport-sized photos at most GS25, CU, or 7-Eleven convenience stores with photo printing kiosks, or at any Kodak Express or print shop. Select the 35x45mm template. Cost: 500-2,000 KRW per sheet.

Military Service ID vs Passport Photo

Korean men subject to military service (병역의무자) need photos for both their military service ID and their passport, and the specifications differ. The military service ID photo (병역증 사진) uses 30x40 mm dimensions, allows a slightly wider head size tolerance, and historically permitted glasses. Do not use a military ID photo for your passport application -- the dimensions are wrong and the head positioning will not match.

Online Passport Renewal (여권재발급)

South Korea's online passport renewal system (전자여권 재발급) accepts digital photo uploads. The digital file must be:

• JPEG format only
• 413 x 531 pixels (300 DPI equivalent of 35x45mm)
• File size: 500 KB maximum
• Color photo, sRGB color space
• White background, same composition rules as printed photos

The online system runs automated compliance checks before accepting the upload. It verifies background uniformity, face position, ear visibility, and runs the retouching detection algorithm. Rejection feedback is provided immediately on-screen in Korean. If your photo passes the automated check, it is very likely to pass the final human review.

Photos for Babies and Children (만 7세 미만)

Children under 7 years old have relaxed head-height requirements. The head may occupy a smaller percentage of the frame, and the eye-line positioning rule is less strict. However:

• The child must be the only subject in the photo -- no parent hands, no arms, no toys
• Background must still be pure white
• For infants, lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from directly above
• Eyes should be open, though partial closure is tolerated for infants under 12 months
• No pacifiers, bottles, or headbands
• Korean studios have infant photography rigs specifically designed for document photos -- this is the easiest route if you are in Korea

Children aged 7 and above must meet the full adult specification, including ear visibility and the retouching prohibition.

Common Rejection Reasons

Based on published Korean Immigration Service data and studio operator reports, the top rejection causes are:

1. Ears not visible -- hair covering one or both ears is the number one reason for rejection in Korea, accounting for roughly one-third of all returned photos
2. Colored or circle contact lenses -- the system detects non-natural iris patterns and flags them immediately
3. Digital retouching detected -- skin smoothing, jaw reshaping, and filter use are caught by automated screening
4. Glasses worn -- despite the ban being in effect for years, applicants still submit photos with glasses
5. Background not pure white -- off-white walls, beige tints, and shadow gradients are all rejected
6. Head too large or too small -- the 25-35mm chin-to-crown range is enforced precisely

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I wear glasses in my South Korea passport photo? A: No. South Korea prohibits all glasses in passport photos. There are no exceptions for clear lenses or prescription frames. Remove them before the photo is taken.

Q: Are colored contacts allowed? A: No. No colored contacts, circle lenses, or cosmetic lenses of any kind. Your natural iris color must be visible and unaltered.

Q: How much do passport photos cost in Korea? A: Subway station ID booths charge 5,000-8,000 KRW. Professional studios near government offices charge 15,000-30,000 KRW. Printing a pre-made digital photo at a convenience store costs 500-2,000 KRW.

Q: Can I use the 인생네컷 photo booth for my passport photo? A: No. Those booths apply filters, frames, and non-standard cropping. Use only booths specifically labeled for 증명사진 (ID/document photos).

Q: My baby won't keep their eyes open. Will the photo be rejected? A: For infants under 12 months, partially closed eyes are tolerated. For children aged 1-6, both eyes should be open. Studios experienced with infant document photos can usually get a usable shot within a few attempts.

Q: Can I retouch my passport photo at all? A: No. Korea explicitly prohibits all digital alterations, including skin smoothing, blemish removal, and facial feature modification. The automated screening system detects these changes and flags them for rejection.