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South Korea Visa Photo Size & Requirements
South Korea visa photo requirements follow ICAO biometric standards but are enforced by Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Passport Division). In this guide, you can confirm the exact 35×45 mm size, 413×531 pixel output at 300 DPI, the required white background, and the fastest way to prepare a compliant image before submitting your South Korea visa application. A key local rule to remember is: Two identical 35×45 mm colour photos on plain white background are required, taken within the last 6 months.
Use ImageGates to resize your image to exactly 35×45 mm (413×531 px) with a white background. This guide also covers where applicants usually submit their documents, which local rules cause the most rejections, and which related country pages to compare before you apply.
Official South Korea visa photo rules
- Two identical 35×45 mm colour photos on plain white background are required, taken within the last 6 months.
- Photos must be captured with a neutral expression, closed mouth, and both ears fully visible — Korean automated pre-check rejects even slight smiles.
- Digitally retouched photos (smoothed skin, resized eyes, altered chin) are automatically detected by the Ministry's forensic scanner and result in rejection.
Common mistakes in South Korea visa photos
- Studio photos with heavy retouching common to Korean passport-photo booths — the Ministry rejects any AI-smoothed skin or reshaped facial features.
- Wearing white tops that blur into the background.
- Bangs falling across the eyebrows or eyes.
Visa vs passport photo differences in South Korea
The visa photo in South Korea is 35×45 mm, while the passport photo is 35×45 mm. The size is the same for both documents, but you should still verify the specific submission rules for the passport application. You can also compare the alternate document on the dedicated South Korea passport photo page.
Popular countries
United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomIndiaSchengen Zone
Related countries
Japan (45×45 mm)China (33×48 mm)United States (51×51 mm)
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a retouched Korean passport photo?
No. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively screens for beauty-filter retouching (skin smoothing, eye enlargement, jaw reshaping) and rejects photos that fail its forensic pass. Ask your studio for the un-retouched original file.
What is the Korean passport photo size?
35×45 mm colour print on plain white photographic paper, taken within the last 6 months, with the head occupying 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Two identical prints are required for the Gu-office application.
What is the official visa photo size for South Korea?
The official South Korea visa photo size is 35×45 mm, which equals 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI.
What background is required for a South Korea visa photo?
South Korea visa photos require a white background with even lighting, no patterns, and no visible shadows.