South Korea visa and passport photo and K-ETA: requirements 2026
South Korea
In short. A paper photo for a Korean visa and passport is 35×45 mm, head 32–36 mm from chin to crown, pure white background, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months. The digital photo for K-ETA is submitted online in JPG/JPEG format, 530×690 px and up to 100 KB.
- Photo size — 35×45 mm; head height from chin to crown (without hair) — 32–36 mm.
- Background — pure white, without frames, shadows or glare; the photo is colour on photo paper (glossy or matte).
- Regular glasses are allowed if there is no glare and the frame does not cover the eyes; tinted, coloured, circle lenses and sunglasses are prohibited. Expression neutral, mouth closed.
- K-ETA digital photo: JPG/JPEG, 530×690 pixels, file up to 100 KB, uploaded at k-eta.go.kr.
- The photo must be taken within the last 6 months; K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW and is valid for 3 years (or until the passport expires).
Short answer
For a South Korea visa and passport you need a paper photo of 35×45 mm with a head of 32–36 mm (from chin to crown without hair) on a pure white background. For visa-free entry, a K-ETA is issued with a digital photo uploaded online.
Photo requirements for a visa and passport (paper)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35×45 mm |
| Head height (chin–crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Background | pure white, without frames |
| Colour | colour, on photo paper (glossy or matte) |
| Facial expression | neutral, mouth closed, without a smile |
| Recency | taken within the last 6 months |
The head must be fully visible — from crown to chin. Hair must not cover the eyes or the edge of the face. Lighting even, without shadows and glare, without red-eye effect.
Glasses and lenses
Regular glasses are allowed if the lenses are transparent, produce no glare and the frame does not cover the eyes. Tinted, coloured, circle lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
Digital photo for K-ETA
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization for citizens of visa-free countries (analogous to ESTA). The application and photo are submitted online on the official website k-eta.go.kr. It is recommended to apply at least 72 hours before the trip, as processing may take up to 72 hours.
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Size in pixels: 530×690 px
- File weight: up to 100 KB
- Background: plain light/white, face centred
- Face requirements: the face occupies 70–80% of the frame, neutral expression, looking straight into the camera, without headwear (except for religious/medical reasons)
K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (the online payment processing fee is separate) and is valid for 3 years from the date of approval or until the passport expires (for applications submitted after 3 July 2023).
Where to submit
The paper photo is submitted when applying for a visa at the consulate/visa centre of the Republic of Korea and for passport documents. The K-ETA digital photo is uploaded directly into the online form at k-eta.go.kr.
Common reasons for rejection
- Incorrect head size (less than 32 or more than 36 mm)
- Grey or coloured background, shadows or a frame
- Glare on the glasses, tinted/coloured lenses, sunglasses
- Smile, open mouth, tilt or turn of the head
- Old photo (over 6 months)
- For K-ETA: file heavier than 100 KB
How to prepare a photo quickly
Upload an ordinary selfie — the Anfas.Pro tool automatically crops the head to 32–36 mm, sets a white background and prepares two files: a 35×45 mm version for printing and a digital one for K-ETA (530×690 px, up to 100 KB).
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- What size photo for a South Korea visa and passport?
- 35×45 mm, head height from chin to crown (without hair) — 32–36 mm, pure white background.
- What are the requirements for the K-ETA digital photo?
- JPG/JPEG format, image size 530×690 pixels, file weight up to 100 KB, plain light background, the face occupies 70–80% of the frame, neutral expression.
- Can I be photographed wearing glasses?
- Regular glasses are allowed if there is no glare and the frame does not cover the eyes. Tinted, coloured, circle lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- How much does K-ETA cost and how long is it valid?
- K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (the online payment processing fee is separate) and is valid for 3 years from the date of approval or until the passport expires.