South Korea Visa Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to south korea visa photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-10.
South Korea visa photos must be 35x45mm with a plain white background and no shadows, with the head height measuring between 25mm and 35mm within the frame. Glasses are not recommended due to potential glare issues, and coloured contact lenses are explicitly prohibited. Digital uploads require 600x750 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with file sizes between 100 KB and 5 MB. These standards are set by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice and apply to all visa categories including tourist, work, and student visas. PassportPic formats your photo to Korean immigration standards precisely, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 35mm x 45mm |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 750 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White |
| Head Size | 60-70% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 100 KB - 5 MB |
| Document Type | Visa |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Glasses
Not recommended due to potential glare
Head Covering
Not allowed unless for religious reasons
Additional Requirements
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- Head height must be 25-35mm in the photo
- Both ears should be visible
- No coloured contact lenses
- Hair must not cover the forehead or eyebrows
- Background must be plain white without shadows
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 60-70% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for South Korea Visa photos: not recommended due to potential glare. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression, mouth closed. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 35mm x 45mm; digital submissions need 600x750 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-01-10