Korean Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Rules and the New York Consulate
Passport Photo Guide · South Korea
A Korean passport photo is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high, with the head 3.2 to 3.6 cm from the crown to the chin, on a plain white background. Hair must not cover the eyebrows or the outline of the face.
한국어 요약이 아래에 있습니다. Last checked against Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 14, 2026.
Korean passport photo requirements
Korea follows the ICAO standard. These are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules, last revised in October 2022.
| Requirement | What the Ministry asks for |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high |
| Head size | 3.2 to 3.6 cm from the crown (the top of the head, not the hair) to the chin, head centred |
| Background | Even, plain white with no border and no ink marks. Backgrounds removed or replaced with editing software are not accepted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed with no teeth showing, no smile and no raised eyebrows |
| Pose | Face and shoulders square to the camera, head not tilted, and not photographed too close |
| Hair | Must not cover the eyes, the eyebrows or the outline of the face such as the cheekbones and cheeks |
| Eyes | Naturally open, looking straight ahead, no red eye. No cosmetic, colored or circle lenses |
| Glasses | No tinted lenses or sunglasses, no glare, and frames must not cover the eyes |
| Head coverings | No hats, headbands or head coverings. Religious attire only if worn every day, with the full face from forehead to chin visible |
| Accessories | Earrings and piercings only if they do not reflect light or cover the face outline. No earphones or headphones |
| Photo paper, glossy or matte, sharp, 300 dpi recommended. Plain paper prints are not accepted | |
| Editing | No editing programs, filters or AI changes |
| Age of photo | Taken within 6 months before you apply |
ThisPix · Midtown Manhattan
Get your Korean passport photo in NYCWalk in Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. A true white background, the 3.2 to 3.6 cm head size, and soft lighting that shows your natural skin tone, printed on photo paper.
Book your passport photo212-753-4671Applying at the Korean Consulate in New York
- In person, by appointment. Applicants 18 and over apply in person and have their fingerprints taken. Book through the consular portal first; walk-ins without an appointment cannot be processed.
- One color photo. A regular passport needs one color passport photo, and an emergency passport needs two.
- Size. The consulate's notice lists 3.5 × 4.5 cm and also accepts the US 2 × 2 inch size.
- Photos it will not accept. Photocopies, photos retouched in Photoshop, instant or self-taken digital photos, a tilted head, hats or headbands, and white clothing.
- Fees. From March 1, 2026, a 10-year electronic passport is $52 for 58 pages or $49 for 26 pages, and an emergency single-use passport is $50.
The New York consulate can photograph you with its own equipment at no charge, if you wear a dark top. If the equipment or system is down, you will need to bring your own photo. If you would rather have a studio portrait in your passport for the next 10 years, bring one from a photographer.
Online passport photo file
For online passport reissue through the Korean government, the digital photo must meet the same rules, in this format:
- File. JPG or JPEG, 500 KB or less, 300 dpi recommended.
- Pixels. 413 × 531 recommended; only files between 395 and 431 pixels wide and 507 and 550 pixels high can be uploaded.
- Head size. Framed so the head would measure 3.2 to 3.6 cm if printed at 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Not recommended. Phone photos and heavily retouched photos, which may not look like you once printed in the passport.
Babies and toddlers
- Same rules as adults. The size, background and head size do not change.
- Alone in the photo. No toys, objects or parents in the frame.
- Mouth. Newborns and children up to 36 months who cannot keep their mouth closed may have it slightly open.
Common reasons photos are refused
These come from the Ministry's own examples of photos it does not accept.
- Head shorter than 3.2 cm or taller than 3.6 cm
- Hair covering the eyebrows, cheeks or cheekbones
- A background that is not white
- A background removed with editing software
- Teeth showing or not a neutral expression
- Glare on glasses or frames over the eyes
- Shoulders not facing forward or head tilted
- Uneven lighting or unnatural skin tone
- A headband or scarf covering the face outline
- Earphones, or a face photographed too close
한국어 요약
외교부 여권사진 규격(2022년 10월 개정)과 주뉴욕 총영사관 안내를 정리했습니다.
- 크기 가로 3.5cm × 세로 4.5cm, 머리 길이(정수리~턱) 3.2~3.6cm. 총영사관은 미국 여권사진 크기(2×2인치)도 받습니다.
- 배경 균일한 흰색, 테두리 없음. 포토샵으로 배경을 지우거나 합성한 사진은 불가
- 표정 입을 다문 무표정, 치아 노출과 미소 불가
- 머리카락 눈썹, 눈, 광대·볼 등 얼굴 윤곽을 가리면 안 됨
- 안경·렌즈 빛 반사 없이, 안경테가 눈을 가리지 않게. 색안경, 컬러·서클렌즈 불가
- 복장 모자·머리띠 불가. 흰색 계열 옷은 총영사관에서 접수 불가이니 진한 색 상의를 입으세요
- 영유아 성인과 같은 기준. 36개월 이하는 입을 조금 벌려도 됨. 장난감이나 보호자가 보이면 안 됨
- 총영사관 신청 일반 여권 사진 1매(긴급 여권 2매), 18세 이상 본인 방문과 지문 채취, 사전 예약 필수
- 문의 212-753-4671 · info@thispix.com · 805 3rd Ave 2층 (50번가)
Since 1986
Korean passport and visa photos in MidtownFor 40 years ThisPix has photographed New Yorkers to the size and rules of consulates around the world. Tell us it is for a Korean passport and we will frame it to the Ministry's standard.
Get your photo at ThisPix212-753-4671Questions, answered
What size is a Korean passport photo?
3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high, with the head 3.2 to 3.6 cm from the crown to the chin. The Korean Consulate in New York also accepts the US 2 by 2 inch size.
Can I wear glasses in a Korean passport photo?
Yes, if there is no glare on the lenses and the frames do not cover your eyes. Tinted glasses, sunglasses and colored or circle contact lenses are not allowed.
Can my hair cover my eyebrows or ears?
Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows or the outline of your face, such as the cheekbones and cheeks. The full face from forehead to chin must be visible.
Can I wear a white shirt?
Avoid it. The New York consulate does not accept photos with white clothing, because it blends into the white background. Wear a dark top.
How many photos do I need at the New York consulate?
One color photo for a regular passport and two for an emergency passport. The consulate can also take your photo on site at no charge if its equipment is working.
What are the online photo file requirements?
A JPG or JPEG of 500 KB or less, 413 × 531 pixels recommended (395 to 431 by 507 to 550 pixels accepted), with the head framed to 3.2 to 3.6 cm at print size.
Where can I get a Korean passport photo in Manhattan?
At ThisPix, 805 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, at East 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Walk in Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sources. Requirements change, so always confirm with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Consulate General before you apply. Last checked October 14, 2026.