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Specifications
Every measurable requirement, in the same order on every country page. Bracketed numbers point to the official source below.
| Printed photo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | [1] |
| Head height (chin to crown) | Not specified by the authority | |
| Eye position | Not specified by the authority | |
| Background | Plain, evenly lit and light background | [1] |
| Print resolution | Not specified by the authority | |
| Paper | Not specified by the authority | |
| Copies required | Not specified by the authority | |
| Digital upload | ||
| Pixel size | Not specified by the authority | |
| File format | Not specified by the authority | |
| File size | Not specified by the authority | |
| Colour | Colour neutral | [1] |
| Validity | ||
| Taken within | Taken within the last 6 months | [1] |
| Also specified | ||
| Full face length | 25 × 35 mm | [1] |
| Photo condition | The photo must be without any mark or crease | [1] |
| Photo uniqueness | Must not be the same photograph already submitted for a previous passport, alien registration card, refugee travel certificate, flight attendant ID, etc. issued before six months | [1] |
| Identity requirement | Must not be too difficult to judge that the photograph is of the same person, e.g. due to significant changes of face or hair colour, lack of quality, or not showing the ears | [1] |
Rules
What is allowed and what is refused. Same ten rows on every page; “Conditional” means allowed only as described.
| Expression | Not specified | — |
| Eyes | Required | Applicant must be shown looking directly at the camera [1] |
| Glasses | Conditional | Sunglasses are not allowed, except for medical or disability reasons [1] |
| Head covering | Conditional | Head coverings such as a hijab, veil or turban are permitted for religious purposes if facial features are not covered from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, the full face is visible without any shadows, and the eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth are not covered (covering the ears is permitted) [1] |
| Hair | Not specified | — |
| Ears | Conditional | Ears should normally be shown; covering the ears is permitted for religious head coverings [1] |
| Clothing | Not specified | — |
| Retouching / filters | Not specified | — |
| Shadows and objects | Not allowed | Full face must be visible without any shadows [1] |
| Infants and children | Not specified | — |
Notes and common mistakes
Two separate “no shadows” rules
The requirement for an evenly lit background and the instruction that the full face be visible without shadows are two distinct conditions in the notice — one about how the backdrop is lit, the other about the face itself [1].
Glasses and hats share one exception, head coverings have their own
Sunglasses and hats are both disallowed by default, and the notice grants both the identical exception for medical or disability reasons [1]. Religious head coverings are not covered by that same clause — they are addressed separately, with their own visibility conditions rather than a medical justification [1].
The physical print matters too
The notice’s background and lighting requirements sit alongside a separate condition on the print itself: it must be free of any mark or crease [1].
Two return reasons beyond composition
The notice separately lists two reasons a photograph will be returned: reusing a photograph already submitted for an earlier passport, alien registration card, refugee travel certificate or flight attendant ID issued before six months, or submitting one where a change in appearance, hair colour or lack of quality makes it too difficult to confirm the applicant’s identity [1]. Not showing the ears is given as an example of the second condition [1].
Countries with the same photo size
35 × 45 mm Australia Canada Egypt France Germany Ireland Italy Japan Netherlands New Zealand Pakistan Portugal Schengen area Singapore Taiwan Thailand United Kingdom
Questions
Can I wear glasses or a hat in my Korean visa photo?
Sunglasses and hats are both excluded by default, and the notice grants each the same exception: a medical or disability reason [1]. For sunglasses that is the only stated exception, but hats have a second path — a religious head covering such as a hijab, veil or turban, permitted under its own separate visibility conditions [1].
Can I wear a hijab, veil or turban in the photo?
Yes — the notice treats religious head coverings separately from the general hat rule [1]. A hijab, veil, turban or similar covering is permitted as long as it does not hide anything between the bottom of the chin and the top of the forehead, casts no shadow over the face, and leaves the eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth uncovered [1]. Covering the ears is explicitly allowed in this case, even though the notice otherwise expects ears to be shown [1].
Do my ears need to be visible?
Normally, yes — not showing the ears is one of the examples the notice gives of a photo that makes it too difficult to judge whether it is the same person [1]. A religious head covering is allowed to cover the ears even though the notice otherwise expects them to be shown [1].
Why would an otherwise compliant photo still be turned back?
The notice lists two reasons a photograph will be returned: submitting the same photograph already used for an earlier passport, alien registration card, refugee travel certificate or flight attendant ID issued before six months, and submitting a photo where a change in appearance, hair colour or lack of quality makes it too difficult to confirm identity [1].
Sources
Every value above is taken from the following official documents. If a source disagrees with this page, the source is right — tell us. Report an error.
- [1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea — Photo Requirements for Korean Visa Application (published via the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles)
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-losangeles-en/brd/m_4394/view.do?seq=725383