Getting your South Korean passport photo right the first time matters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) enforces strict biometric standards — a 35×45mm frame, precise head-height measurements, an all-white background, and no glasses. Photos that miss any of these specifications are rejected outright, which delays your application and costs you another trip to the photo shop. Passport Photo Maker handles the crop, framing, and background automatically so your photo meets every MOFA requirement before you submit.
Resizing a photo to 35×45mm sounds simple — until you try to do it correctly. Biometric framing means the face must sit within a specific zone, not just centered. Getting the head-height ratio right, removing the background cleanly, and outputting the image at the correct DPI for printing all require precision that most generic photo editors don't provide. Here's what happens automatically when you upload:
Your photo is cropped to the exact dimensions MOFA specifies, no guessing or manual pixel counting.
Face detection positions your head within the 32–36mm height zone required by MOFA standards.
Any background is removed and replaced with a compliant white or light gray background automatically.
Download a printable 4×6" sheet with multiple passport-size photos arranged for home or lab printing.
Output files meet the minimum 300 DPI resolution required for clear, sharp passport photos.
No design software, subscriptions, or manual measurements. Upload, verify, download — done.
All specifications below are based on official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) guidelines. Verify any changes at the MOFA Passport Portal before submitting.
| Specification | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm | Width × Height (approx. 1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Width | 35 mm | — |
| Height | 45 mm | — |
| Background | Plain white or light gray | No patterns, shadows, or colored surfaces |
| Face Height | 32–36 mm | Measured from chin to top of head (not to hair peak) |
| Resolution | Minimum 300 DPI | Required for print clarity |
| File Format (Digital) | JPEG / JPG | PNG accepted at some digital portals — confirm with office |
| Color | Full color | Black-and-white photos not accepted |
| Glasses | Not permitted | All eyewear must be removed; no exceptions |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Both eyes open, face directly facing camera |
| Head Covering | Not permitted | Exception: religious headwear with document |
| Photo Age | Within 6 months | Must reflect current appearance |
| Digital Submission | Supported | Via online renewal portal (전자여권); check eligibility |
| Shadows | Not permitted | No shadows on face or background |
| Retouching | Not permitted | No filters, digital manipulation, or beauty retouching |
Digital submissions: For the electronic passport renewal system (전자여권 / 전자민원), digital photo file size and pixel dimensions may have additional requirements. Always confirm on the official MOFA portal at passport.go.kr.
Understanding where and how your photo is used during the application process helps you avoid submission errors. Here is the standard process for a South Korean resident applying for a new passport or renewal:
Gather your completed passport application form (여권발급신청서), current national ID (주민등록증), existing passport (for renewals), and 1–2 compliant 35×45mm photos. Some offices accept an online form submission with a digital photo instead.
First-time applicants typically visit a regional passport office (여권민원실). Renewal applicants may use their local district office (주민센터) or the online renewal system if they hold a valid electronic passport.
Present your documents and compliant passport photo at the counter. Officials compare the submitted photo against MOFA's biometric checklist at this stage. A non-compliant photo will be rejected, and you'll be asked to return with a new one.
Fees vary based on passport type (5-year vs 10-year) and number of pages (24 or 48 pages). Standard processing fees in South Korea range from approximately ₩15,000 to ₩53,000 depending on the document requested.
Standard processing takes approximately 4–7 business days in South Korea. Expedited options may be available at select offices. Overseas applications through Korean embassies can take 2–4 weeks. You'll receive a notice to collect your passport in person.
South Korea's passport photo requirements align closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) biometric standards but include a few Korea-specific points worth knowing before you take your photo:
South Korea was one of the last major passport-issuing countries to remove all glasses from permitted photo items. As of the most recent MOFA update, no glasses of any type — prescription, sunglasses, or decorative — are permitted. This applies even if your glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons (in such cases, contact MOFA directly for special documentation requirements).
MOFA requires that both ears are visible in the photo. Hair covering one or both ears may result in rejection. Pull your hair back if necessary before taking your photo.
Your head must face the camera directly — no tilting up, down, left, or right. The interpupillary line (an imaginary line between the eyes) must be horizontal and centered in the frame.
For physical submissions, photos must be printed on standard glossy or matte photographic paper. Inkjet printouts on plain paper or photos with a paper texture are typically rejected.
Your photo must show your natural skin tone and facial features. Skin smoothing, color filters, exposure adjustments, or beauty enhancements — even subtle ones — are prohibited. Passport Photo Maker applies background removal only and does not alter your facial appearance.
MOFA applies the same 35×45mm dimension rules to children's passport photos, but makes practical accommodations for infants and very young children who cannot follow standard posing instructions.
For children aged 7 and under, minor allowances may apply for expression and posture. When in doubt, bring 2–3 photo options to the district office so the officer can select the most compliant one.
Yes — and more applicants are doing it. Taking your passport photo at home is acceptable under MOFA rules, provided the final printed or digital image meets all specifications. Here's how to do it right:
Any modern smartphone camera (12MP or higher) is sufficient. Use the rear camera rather than the front-facing selfie camera, which often introduces distortion at close range. Have someone else take the photo rather than using a selfie mode.
Use even, diffused natural light from a window — ideally facing you, not behind you. Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, position two light sources on either side of your face to eliminate side shadows. Overhead lighting alone creates unflattering under-eye shadows that MOFA may flag.
Hang a white bed sheet or stand in front of a white or very light gray wall. The background must be completely plain — no artwork, furniture, doorframes, or patterns in the background area. If your background isn't perfectly white, Passport Photo Maker can replace it automatically upon upload.
Position yourself approximately 1 to 1.5 metres (3–5 feet) from the camera. Your head and upper shoulders should fill the frame. Avoid being too close (face appears distorted) or too far away (face is too small to crop correctly).
Home printing is acceptable if you use a colour inkjet or laser printer with photo paper and print at 300 DPI or higher. Use Passport Photo Maker's print sheet output which arranges multiple 35×45mm photos on a single 4×6" page for efficient printing.
South Korea operates an online passport renewal system (전자여권 온라인 발급) available through the MOFA passport portal at passport.go.kr. Not all applicants qualify — the online system is generally limited to adult renewal applicants who already hold a valid South Korean electronic passport (e-passport).
When you download your South Korea passport photo from Passport Photo Maker, choose the JPEG format at 300 DPI to ensure digital portal compatibility. The tool outputs a file sized appropriately for both print and digital use.
Online passport renewal via the MOFA portal is not available to first-time applicants, to applicants who lost their previous passport, or to applicants whose last passport was issued before a certain year. Always check eligibility at passport.go.kr before attempting an online application.
Use the upload widget on this page or visit Passport Photo Maker. Upload any JPEG, PNG, or WebP photo taken against a plain background. The South Korea 35×45mm template will be selected automatically based on the page you're on.
Face detection positions your head within the MOFA-compliant 32–36mm face-height zone and crops the photo to exactly 35×45mm. Adjust the crop manually if needed to fine-tune positioning.
The background is automatically removed and replaced with a clean white background. You can switch to light gray if your specific submission requires it. Review the edges to make sure no background color bleeds into your hair or clothing.
Use the compliance checklist in the editor to verify dimensions, head size ratio, background color, and brightness. The tool flags any specifications that may not pass MOFA review so you can correct them before downloading.
Download your individual 35×45mm JPEG at 300 DPI for digital submission, or download the printable 4×6" sheet with multiple photos arranged for printing at home or at any photo lab. Both formats are included at no extra charge.
South Korean and US passport photos share the same general idea — a frontal biometric photo on a white background — but there are meaningful differences in size, head measurements, and format that make a US photo non-compliant for a Korean passport application, and vice versa.
| Specification | 🇰🇷 South Korea (MOFA) | 🇺🇸 United States (State Dept.) |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Aspect Ratio | 7:9 (portrait rectangle) | 1:1 (square) |
| Face Height | 32–36 mm | 70–80% of total frame height |
| Background | White or light gray | Plain white only |
| Glasses | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Resolution | Minimum 300 DPI | Minimum 300 DPI |
| Digital Format | JPEG (MOFA portal) | JPEG (travel.state.gov) |
| Max Photo Age | 6 months | 6 months |
| Validity Period | 5 years (under 18) / 10 years | 5 years (under 16) / 10 years |
The most important practical difference is the photo shape and size. A US passport photo (square, 2×2 inches) is physically larger than a Korean passport photo (rectangular, 35×45mm). Never submit a cropped US passport photo for a Korean application — the proportions are incorrect and the submission will be rejected immediately.
MOFA officers follow a strict checklist when reviewing submitted photos. These are the most frequently cited reasons for rejection at Korean passport offices:
Any size other than 35×45mm will be refused. Even 35×40mm or 30×40mm photos commonly taken in Asia are non-compliant for Korean passports.
Off-white, cream, light blue, or patterned backgrounds are rejected. Background must be plain white or very light gray.
Face height exceeding 36mm means the head occupies too much of the frame, making biometric processing unreliable.
A face height below 32mm is also grounds for rejection. A photo taken from too far away is the most common cause.
Shadows on the background or under-chin/side-face shadows caused by directional lighting are a consistent reason for rejection.
Any type of eyewear — prescription glasses, reading glasses, or fashion frames — results in automatic rejection.
If your appearance has changed or the photo is clearly dated, it will be rejected. MOFA may request a new photo on the spot.
Very bright or very dark images obscure facial features and fail biometric scanning. Even lighting across the face is essential.
Skin smoothing, color correction, brightness enhancement, or any kind of beauty filter on your face will result in rejection.
Photos printed on standard copy paper or regular inkjet paper — rather than photographic paper — are not accepted at MOFA windows.
Passport photo requirements are established by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and are subject to change without notice. The specifications on this page are compiled in good faith from publicly available MOFA documentation but may not reflect the most recent updates.
Always verify current requirements directly at passport.go.kr or by contacting your nearest MOFA office or Korean embassy before submitting your application.
Passport Photo Maker helps you produce technically compliant photos based on the specifications above, but final approval of your passport photo rests solely with the issuing authority. ClonyPDF cannot guarantee acceptance by MOFA or any affiliated office.
South Korean passport photos must be exactly 35mm wide by 45mm tall — a portrait rectangle, not a square. This is different from US passport photos (which are square at 2×2 inches). The face height within the photo must be between 32mm and 36mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Yes. You can use a smartphone to take the source photo, as long as you use the rear camera (not the front-facing selfie camera), ensure even lighting, and shoot against a plain white or light gray background. The final output still needs to be sized correctly, have the background cleaned up, and be printed on photo paper — Passport Photo Maker handles all of these steps automatically after you upload your photo.
After generating your photo in Passport Photo Maker, download the printable sheet — a 4×6" page with multiple 35×45mm photos arranged for printing. Print this file on a colour photo printer using glossy or matte photo paper at 300 DPI. Cut each photo to the 35×45mm border. Most pharmacies and photo labs can also print the sheet for you using the downloaded file.
If MOFA rejects your photo, you'll need to provide a replacement before your application can proceed. The officer will usually explain the specific reason for rejection. Take a new photo addressing the flagged issue and re-upload it to Passport Photo Maker to generate a corrected compliant version before returning. Rejection does not restart the fee payment — only the photo needs to be replaced.
No — glasses of any kind are not permitted in South Korean passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, and fashion frames. MOFA's ban on eyewear aligns with ICAO biometric standards, which require unobstructed facial scanning. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo.
The MOFA online renewal portal (passport.go.kr) is primarily designed for domestic applicants. Koreans living abroad typically need to apply through the nearest Korean embassy or consulate, which may have slightly different processing times and submission formats. Some embassies accept digital photo uploads via their own portals — contact your local Korean diplomatic mission directly to confirm the current process.
Most standard South Korean passport applications require one compliant 35×45mm photo. However, some district offices or specific application types may request two. For renewal applications at embassies or consulates abroad, it's wise to bring two copies. Passport Photo Maker's printable sheet includes multiple photos so you'll always have extras on hand.
Yes, though both typically require a 35×45mm photo with a white background. Korean visa photos (for applicants visiting South Korea on a visa) follow the same basic dimensions but the specific requirements depend on the visa category and issuing embassy. Korean passport photos follow MOFA's standards for Korean nationals only. If you need a photo for a South Korean visa application, check the specific requirements for your visa type.
Upload your photo once and get a MOFA-compliant 35×45mm passport photo ready to print or submit digitally — in under 60 seconds.
