Korea Passport Photo Size — 35×45mm

Korea enforces two rules more strictly than its neighbours: both ears must be visible, and glasses are not allowed at all. Japanese requirements permit glasses — Korean ones do not, which trips up people applying for both.

South Korea passport photo specifications

Printed size

35 × 45 mm · 413 × 531 px

Head height (chin to crown)

32 – 36 mm

Background

Background: plain white

Photo age limit

Taken within 6 months

Glasses

Not allowed

Prints to submit

1 print

Rules specific to South Korea

• 35×45mm, with the head 32–36mm from chin to crown.
• At least 3mm of space is required above the top of the head.
• Both ears must be visible. Hair tucked behind the ears, nothing covering them.
• Glasses are not permitted, unlike in Japan.
• Plain white background with no shadow or pattern.
• Strictly neutral expression with the mouth closed. Korea is notably unforgiving about even a slight smile.
• Taken within the last 6 months.

Why passport photos get rejected

• Head too large or too small. This is the single most common reason, and the one people notice least — the canvas size can be perfect while the head is out of range.
• Shadow behind the head, usually from standing too close to a wall. Step a metre away from the background.
• Smiling, or mouth slightly open. Neutral expression means neutral.
• Hair covering an eye, or a fringe casting a shadow across the eyes.
• Uneven lighting that leaves one side of the face darker than the other.
• A photo that has been retouched, filtered, or run through an AI beauty tool. Most authorities now check for this and reject it outright.

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