A Korean passport photo usually needs the correct 35 x 45 mm size, a plain white background, and a clear front-facing image. If you want to prepare the photo at home, it helps to use a sharp original image and avoid heavy edits. Use the tool below to prepare a Korean passport photo before printing or submission.
South Korea passport photos are typically 35 × 45 mm, with the face centered and clearly visible from the front. For most applications, the safest choice is a plain white background, natural color, and a recent photo that matches your current appearance. If you are printing from a U.S.-style 2 × 2 inch image, check carefully before using it, because Korean requirements are stricter about final output size. Our tool helps crop, resize, and format your photo so it matches the expected Korean specification before you print or upload.
A 35 x 45 mm format is commonly used for Korean passport photos. Some overseas offices may also mention a U.S. 2 x 2 inch reference, so check the exact office guidance before printing.
The standard Korean passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm, which is 3.5 × 4.5 cm. If you are printing in inches, that is about 1.38 × 1.77 inches, so a U.S. 2 × 2 inch print is not the same format. Official guidance commonly asks for the face to be centered and to cover roughly 70–80% of the photo, with the head measured from the crown to the chin in a tight but natural frame. A practical target is a head height around 32–36 mm, which helps avoid photos that are rejected for being too zoomed out or too close. Because some offices and online applications check dimensions closely, use the exact final size rather than relying on a generic passport template. Internal guides to check next: Ireland Passport Photo Requirements. External references worth reviewing: South Korea Visa Photo Requirements (2026) – Don't Get ....
The safest setup usually includes:
Korean passport photo review can be strict about digitally altered images.
Before/After Caption: A cleaner white background and more balanced framing usually make the photo easier to review.
Use a plain white background with no visible shadows, texture, furniture, or colored tint. The safest edit is to keep the image natural: do not over-smooth the skin, change facial proportions, or apply heavy beauty filters that alter your real appearance. Keep the face fully front-facing, eyes open, and expression neutral, since angled poses and noticeable smiles can cause issues. Hair should not obscure the face, and the lighting should be even enough to show both sides of the face clearly. If you wear glasses or head coverings for religious or medical reasons, make sure they do not block the eyes or cast reflections that interfere with identification. Internal guides to check next: Brazil Passport Photo Requirements. External references worth reviewing: Passport picture size - 외국어 (영어).
Follow this simple flow: Take Photo, Upload, Adjust, then Download.
To create a Korean passport photo online, upload a clear front-facing image, set the output to 35 × 45 mm, and make sure the face stays centered with a natural look after cropping.
Start with even front lighting and an eye-level camera, then review the final image for head placement, a white background, and clean edges before you download or print it. This workflow helps the photo match South Korea passport requirements without overediting.
Start with a straight, well-lit photo taken against a plain white or light background, ideally from the shoulders up and facing the camera. Upload it, then use the crop tool to fit the Korean 35 × 45 mm frame instead of a square or U.S. passport frame. Check that the head is centered and sized correctly before downloading, because resizing after cropping can shift the face out of compliance. If you plan to print, confirm the export keeps the exact aspect ratio so the printer does not stretch the image. For online submissions, compare the final file against the application instructions, since some portals care about the pixel file and others care mainly about face placement and background. Internal guides to check next: China Passport Photo Requirements. External references worth reviewing: Passport Photo Requirements - Services for Foreigners - 영어.
If you already have a clear image, upload it and prepare the Korean passport format before printing or submission.
For the final output, use the exact Korean photo dimensions instead of guessing from a generic passport preset. A common mistake is using a 2 × 2 inch template, which may print correctly for some countries but does not match the Korean 35 × 45 mm standard. Make sure the face is not cropped too tightly at the top of the head or too low at the chin, because both can make the photo look off-center. If your image contains shadows, a busy background, or uneven light, regenerate it before printing rather than trying to fix it later with a home printer. The goal is a clean, recent, front-facing photo that can be used immediately without manual correction at a photo shop.
Use this quick table to compare the main checkpoints before you print, upload, or submit the final passport photo.
| Checkpoint | Typical Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | Use the exact country or document size instead of assuming a U.S. 2×2 format | A correct face photo can still be rejected if the physical or digital dimensions are wrong |
| Background and expression | Keep the face clear, the background plain, and the expression compliant with the issuing authority | Most rejections happen when visibility, contrast, or pose does not match the stated rules |
| Submission format | Double-check whether the application needs a digital upload, printed photo, or both | The same photo may need different output settings depending on the consulate, embassy, or online form |
These examples show how the photo rules come up in everyday situations, from printing a new passport photo to fixing a picture that almost meets the specs. They can help you spot the small details that matter before you submit an application.
A student in Seoul needed a passport photo for a renewal application and took one against a plain wall at home. The image was clear, but the first version had a slight shadow behind the ears, so it was rejected by the photo booth clerk. After retaking it with even lighting and a neutral face, the photo matched the required size and background rules.
A traveler reused an ID photo from another country because it looked formal and recent. When they checked the Korean requirements, the head size and framing were off, and the print would have been too tight at the edges. They resized it before printing so the face fit correctly within the approved layout.
An applicant had a good photo from a family event, but the background showed a chair and part of a curtain. The face was fine, yet the scene behind it did not meet the plain-background rule. They replaced the background with a clean white one and kept the original expression and posture.
The standard South Korea passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm, or 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
For many submissions, the head should be centered and the crown-to-chin length is commonly about 3.2 to 3.6 cm.
Use a plain white background for a South Korea passport photo.
Keep the background evenly lit and free from shadows, patterns, or color tint so the face is easy to review.
Yes, but only for basic adjustments such as cropping, resizing, or straightening.
Do not use filters, beautification tools, or heavy retouching. The final image should still look like a natural, recent photo of the applicant.
Not always. Overseas passport offices, embassies, or consulates may ask for a specific print or file format in addition to the South Korea passport standard.
Use the 35 × 45 mm Korean requirement as the baseline, then follow any local office instruction that is more specific.