South Korea visa photos at a glance, set by the Korea Immigration Service
A South Korea visa photo follows a single biometric standard published by the Ministry of Justice’s Korea Immigration Service and reinforced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The same 35×45 mm color photograph on a pure white background covers every visa category, from short-stay C-series tourist and business visas through D-series student and work visas, F-series residence visas, and the newer Digital Nomad route.
Applications reach Korean authorities through three channels, and each accepts the same subject standard. Digital uploads run through the Korea Visa Portal at visa.go.kr for e-Visa and Visa Issuance Confirmation cases. Visa-exempt travelers submit a separate photograph through the K-ETA portal before boarding. Everyone else applies in person at a Korea Visa Application Centre (operated by BLS International, VFS Global, IOM, or a localized KVAC depending on the country) or at a Korean embassy or consulate, where the printed photograph is glued, not stapled, to Form 17 or Form 34.
The Korea Immigration Service enforces its photo rules strictly, and KVAC desks reject applications on the spot for non-compliant images. Common rejection reasons include photos taken more than six months ago, stapled prints, and subjects wearing white clothing that blends into the mandatory white background. A rejected photo means a return trip to the application centre and a delayed visa decision, so the photo is worth getting right the first time.
South Korea visa photo requirements
The Korea Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs set a single biometric standard for every visa category. The rules below cover how the applicant must appear in the frame.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe applicant must hold a natural, neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling and visible teeth are not accepted.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the lens. Red-eye and coloured contact lenses are not permitted.
- Head straightThe face must look straight ahead with no tilt, turn, or nod. Shoulders should be square to the camera.
Eyewear & lenses
- Prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are technically permitted only if the frames do not cover the pupils and there is no glare on the lenses. Removing glasses entirely is the safer practice and is increasingly expected at KVAC desks.
- Tinted lensesSunglasses, tinted lenses, and coloured contact lenses are prohibited.
Hair & facial contour
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of the face. The full facial contour from chin to hairline must remain visible.
Headwear
- Hats and capsHeadwear is prohibited except where worn daily for documented religious or medical reasons. When permitted, it must not cast a shadow on the face or obscure any part of the face from chin to hairline.
Jewelry & cosmetics
- JewelryJewelry is allowed only if it is non-reflective and does not obscure the facial contour. Items that catch the light or sit against the jawline should be removed.
- MakeupOnly minimal, natural makeup is acceptable. Cosmetics that alter the applicant’s appearance are not allowed.
Clothing
- Avoid white garmentsWhite and very light tops blend into the mandatory white background and are one of the most common reasons KVACs reject Korean visa photos. Wear a colour that clearly contrasts with white.
- Shoulders visibleThe shoulders must be visible in the frame. Uniforms are discouraged unless worn daily for religious reasons.
Photo recency
- Taken within 6 monthsThe Korea Immigration Service rejects any photo taken more than six months before submission. A new photo is also required after a material change in appearance.
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 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 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
Photos for infants and young children.
South Korea applies the full adult specification from 24 months of age. Infants receive a narrow set of concessions, listed below.
Infants (under 24 months)
The Korea Immigration Service relaxes expression and gaze requirements for infants who cannot yet hold a neutral pose, but every other rule still applies.
- MouthAn infant who cannot keep the mouth closed may have it slightly open. Minimally visible teeth are tolerated in this case only.
- Eyes and gazeThe eyes do not need to be perfectly open or centred on the lens, but both eyes should still be visible.
- No supporting people or propsNo parent’s hands, toys, pacifiers, or other people may appear anywhere in the frame. The infant must be the only subject.
- Background and clothing unchangedThe pure white background requirement and the prohibition on white clothing apply to infants exactly as they do to adults.
Other things to know.
A few South Korea-specific quirks catch applicants out even when the photo itself is correct.
Glue, never staples
The physical print must be glued or pasted inside the red photo frame on Form 17 or Form 34. Stapling the photo to the application is a frequent rejection cause at Korea Visa Application Centres.
35 x 45 mm only
Only 35 x 45 mm is accepted. Some US and UK travel agencies still list 2 x 2 inch or 50 x 50 mm as alternatives, but no Korean consulate, embassy, or KVAC accepts those sizes.
2018 ear-visibility rule
MOFA officially abolished the ’both ears must be visible’ rule in January 2018, so ears no longer need to be exposed. Some older KVAC checklists still cite the old rule, so tucking hair behind the ears remains a safe hedge.
K-ETA is separate
The K-ETA pre-entry authorization for visa-exempt travellers uses its own upload channel at k-eta.go.kr. The visual rules are the same, but it is not a visa submission and runs on a different portal.
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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.