The official requirements
A South Korea visa photo is 35×45mm — the standard ICAO portrait size. The full spec:
- Size: 35×45 mm
- Background: plain white or light-colored, evenly lit, no marks or creases
- Head size: 25–35 mm face length (chin to crown), head 32–36 mm total
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera
- Ears: both ears must be clearly visible
- Glasses: not allowed
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months
- Color: color photo
For a digital upload the file is a JPEG, 413×531 pixels, up to 500 KB.
Two rules trip people up: both ears must show, and you cannot reuse a photo from a passport or ID issued within the last 6 months — Korean consulates check for this.
How to take a compliant photo
The setup is standard ICAO portrait work, with attention to the ears and hair:
- Stand 6–8 feet in front of a plain white or light wall, far enough out to cast no shadow.
- Light yourself evenly from the front. Korean guidance is strict about even lighting with no creases or marks on the background.
- Pull hair back from the ears and face. Both ears need to be visible; hair tucked behind the ears is the simplest fix.
- Have someone else take the shot — neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes on the lens.
- Crop to 35×45 mm with the face at the right height — or upload to a tool that crops to the Korean visa frame and validates it.
Why photos get rejected
Korean visa sections reject a consistent set of problems. Each one, and the fix:
- Reusing an old photo — an identical photo from a passport or ID issued in the last 6 months is rejected. Take a fresh photo.
- Ears not visible — hair covering the ears fails unless you wear a religious head covering. Tuck hair back.
- Glasses worn — not allowed in Korean visa photos. Take them off.
- Background marks or creases — Korean guidance specifically calls these out; use a clean, evenly lit background.
- Face not recognizable — significant change in appearance, altered hair color, or low quality.
- Photo too old — must be within the last 6 months.
What to wear (and not wear)
There is no dress code, but a few choices reliably cause a rejection.
Avoid: glasses of any kind, hats and non-religious head coverings, headphones, and hairstyles that cover the ears. A white or very pale top can blend into a light background — choose a darker, solid color.
Fine: ordinary everyday clothing, light everyday makeup, and religious head coverings worn daily (the face must stay fully visible).
The ears rule is the one to plan around: if you usually wear your hair down over your ears, you’ll need to pin it back for this photo.
Where to get your photo
You can get a South Korea visa photo online or in person:
| Where | Price | 35×45mm sizing | Digital file | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo studio | varies locally | Yes — standard ICAO size | Often | Same day |
| Pharmacy / print shop | varies locally | Often — confirm 35×45mm | Rarely | Same day |
| Online tool (this site) | $1.00 | Yes — exact 35×45mm crop | Yes | ~2 minutes |
35×45 mm is the most common photo size worldwide, so most studios produce it correctly — but still confirm, and make sure they keep your ears visible. An online tool crops to 35×45 mm and gives you the upload file plus a print sheet. Whichever you use, the ears-visible and no-reuse rules are yours to get right.
Submitting your photo
South Korea visa applications are filed through a Korean embassy, consulate, or the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in your country.
Paper application — You attach one printed 35×45 mm photo to the visa application form.
Online applications (K-ETA and visa portal) — Where an online application is used, you upload the JPEG (413×531 px, up to 500 KB). Even for an online submission, bring a printed copy to any in-person appointment in case the center asks for one.
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Sources & References
This guide is fact-checked against official government publications and updated regularly to reflect the latest requirements.
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