North Korea visa photos for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea issues visas through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with tourist processing handled by the Korea International Travel Company (KITC) in Pyongyang. There is no e-visa portal and no commercial visa application centre network. Applications flow either through a DPRK embassy (Beijing, Dandong, London, Stockholm and a handful of others) or, for tourists, through a state-authorised tour operator such as Koryo Tours or Young Pioneer Tours, which proxies the file to KITC.
The same passport-style photograph is used across tourist, business, transit and official categories. The primary print size is 35×45 mm; US-routed embassy submissions can also use a 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) print. Photos must be in colour, taken within the last six months, and show a true likeness of the applicant. Black-and-white prints are rejected outright, and clothing that resembles military or police uniform is a documented rejection trigger specific to the DPRK.
Because tourist files are reviewed by KITC and the physical Tourist Card is printed in Pyongyang before travel, a non-compliant photo means the operator will ask for a replacement and your departure date can slip. Embassy submissions that fail review are returned for resubmission. Meeting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules on the first pass is the only reliable way to keep an itinerary intact.
What the DPRK requires in your visa photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KITC do not publish a biometric matrix, but the subject-side rules below are consistently enforced by DPRK embassies and authorized tour operators.
Expression & pose
- Facing the cameraLook straight at the camera with the head upright and squared to the lens. Profile shots and noticeable tilt, turn, or rotation of the head are not accepted.
- Neutral expressionKeep a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or exaggerated features will be refused by KITC and embassy reviewers.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Squinting or partially closed eyes are grounds for rejection.
- True likenessThe photo must be a true likeness of the applicant and have been taken within the last six months. Older photos are refused.
Eyewear & lenses
- Clear prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are accepted only when the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no glare on the lenses. Removing glasses is the safest option.
- Tinted lenses and sunglassesTinted lenses, photochromic lenses, and sunglasses are not permitted under any circumstances.
Hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of the face. Both eyes and the full facial contour need to be clearly visible.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHats, caps, and other head coverings are not permitted in DPRK visa photos.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn daily for religious reasons are accepted provided the forehead, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin all remain fully visible.
Clothing
- No uniform-style clothingDo not wear clothing that resembles military or police uniforms. This is a documented DPRK-specific rejection trigger and applies regardless of the applicant’s profession.
- Everyday attireWear normal everyday clothing in a colour that contrasts with a white background. Avoid plain white tops, which can blend into the background.
Cosmetics & jewelry
- Natural appearanceKeep makeup light and the overall appearance natural. Heavy cosmetics or accessories that alter the recognisable features of the face are not accepted.
Photo quality
- Colour onlyDPRK visa photos must be in colour with true skin tones. Black-and-white photographs are rejected outright.
- No red-eyeRed-eye is a rejection trigger. The pupils must appear naturally dark.
- No shadows on the faceHeavy shadows across the face, cast by hair or headwear, are not accepted. The features must read clearly from forehead to chin.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 31 mm and 36 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 24 mm and 30 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few DPRK-specific quirks are worth knowing before you submit.
No e-visa, no direct tourist applications
The DPRK does not operate an online visa portal and tourists cannot apply directly to an embassy. Applications must be routed through a state-authorized tour operator such as Koryo Tours or Young Pioneer Tours, who proxy the file to KITC in Pyongyang.
Tourist Card, not a passport sticker
For most visitors, the visa is issued as a separate Tourist Card booklet rather than a sticker in the passport. DPRK authorities print your photo onto the card, and border guards collect it on exit, so no record of the visa remains in your passport.
US-channel square format
Submissions routed through US-based agencies or certain embassy channels accept the 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) US passport-photo standard in place of the primary 35 x 45 mm size. Confirm which format your operator wants before printing.
No published biometric matrix
The DPRK does not publish head-height percentages, eye-line positions, or pixel-precise specifications. Reviewers judge fit against the photo box on the application form rather than a numeric tolerance.
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Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.