Korea Visa Photo Specs
The dimensions are straightforward — the complication is that the paper and electronic routes have different rules, and one application can involve both.
Generate a photo that matches the spec above — processed locally, never uploaded, no sign-up, with a 6-inch print sheet if you need paper copies.
Make a photo to this specSpecification · Korea Visa Photo Specs
| Size | 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 px at 300 dpi), portrait orientation |
|---|---|
| Background | Pure white, with no shadows or texture (unlike the light grey preferred in Europe) |
| Quantity | Paper applications normally require two identical photos taken within 6 months |
| Electronic routes | Varies by system; K-ETA and similar permits often require a square with a file-size ceiling around 100 KB |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and facing the camera |
| Facial detail | Eyebrows and both ears clearly visible, hair not covering the eyes |
| Glasses | Not recommended — glare or a frame across the eyes leads to rejection |
| Back of photo | Some consulates ask for the applicant name written in pencil on the reverse |
| Printed photo | No border, creases or marks |
How to shoot a photo that matches
- Establish whether you submit in person or online —— Counter submissions use a 35 x 45 mm print; K-ETA-style routes follow the system prompts, typically a square with a tighter file-size cap.
- Shoot against pure white, facing the camera —— Korea requires white, not light grey. Use a white backdrop, or let the tool replace the background with pure white.
- Deal with your fringe so eyebrows and ears show —— These are the two high-frequency rejection points. Adjust the hair before shooting rather than retouching afterwards.
- Generate the 35 x 45 mm format in our tool —— It outputs 413 x 531 px and can also lay the photos out on a 6-inch print sheet so you can print several at once.
- Compress the digital file to the system ceiling —— Enter the limit (100 KB, for example) in the tool and verify the resulting file size.
The paper photo for a Korean visa is a standard 35 x 45 mm white-background shot, which is not difficult. What needs attention is that the two routes have different rules: the counter submission looks at printed photos, while K-ETA and similar electronic permits use a digital upload with its own shape and file-size limits, commonly a square with a 100 KB ceiling.
The background rule is worth isolating: Korea wants pure white, the exact opposite of the light grey that Schengen and the UK prefer. If you are preparing photos for both trips, they must be handled separately.
Korea also enforces visible eyebrows and ears fairly precisely, and a fringe covering the eyebrows is a routine rejection reason. Deal with it at the shooting stage rather than in post.
FAQ
Should a Korean visa photo have a white or light grey background?
Pure white. This is the opposite of Schengen and the UK, which favour light grey. Keep the two sets separate if you are applying for several countries at once.
Does K-ETA use the same photo rules as a visa?
Not entirely. Electronic permits such as K-ETA impose separate, stricter requirements on shape (often square) and file size. Follow the live prompts in the system.
How many photos do I need?
Paper applications normally require two identical photos taken within the last 6 months. Bring a spare in case it is requested on site.
Are glasses allowed?
Not recommended. Glare or a frame resting on the eyes can lead to rejection — removing them is simplest.
Must I write my name on the back?
Some consulates ask for your name in pencil on the reverse. If you are unsure, write it — it does no harm.