Visa & international

Korea Visa Photo: 35x45mm Size & Latest Requirements

Updated: 30/06/2026 · 7 min read · Written by the Ảnh Thẻ Gạo Nâu team

A correct photo may seem like a small part of the application, but it is exactly what makes many people return to add documents or miss an appointment. When preparing documents for Korea, Korea visa photo requirements are among the questions clients ask most often: what is the exact size, what background is needed, and can last year’s photo still be used? One wrong detail can make the receiving officer ask for a new photo and delay the whole process.

The good news is that these requirements are not complicated once you know them. In this article, Gạo Nâu summarizes the latest Korea visa photo standards — size, background, validity period, and common rejection mistakes — so you can prepare once, submit confidently, and stop worrying about the photo.

What does a standard Korea visa photo require?

A photo for a Korea visa is an official identification photo, so every requirement serves one purpose: helping the consular office identify the real applicant accurately. The photo must be clear, honest, and consistent with your current appearance.

These are the core criteria for a compliant Korea visa photo:

• Size: 3.5 x 4.5 cm (35 x 45 mm).
• Background: plain white, evenly lit, no shadows.
• Validity: taken within the last 6 months.
• Face: full face and both ears visible.
• Eyes and glasses: no glasses; eyes open naturally and looking straight.
• Expression: closed mouth, natural expression, no open-mouth smile.
• Digital version: some categories (e-visa, visa sticker) require an additional digital photo file.

Any one of these criteria can cause the application to be returned if done incorrectly. The next sections explain the most important details and how to handle them properly.

Korea visa photo size is 3.5 x 4.5 cm

This is the most common point of confusion. Many people are used to 4x6 photos for domestic documents, so they simply ask for “ID photos” and receive the wrong size. The correct Korea visa photo size is 3.5 x 4.5 cm — a common international size for visa applications.

A few millimeters may sound small, but it is enough to get a file rejected. Head proportion, distance from the top of the head to the photo edge, and shoulder placement are aligned to the 35x45mm frame. If a file is cropped from the wrong ratio, the face can become too large or too small — an error that is hard to notice at a glance but obvious to receiving officers.

The table below compares common photo sizes:

To avoid confusion, simply tell the studio “Korea visa photo” — we will frame and crop it to the 3.5x4.5cm standard. If you want a broader comparison, read the visa photo guide overview before your session.

White background and correct lighting

Korea visa photos must be taken on a plain white background. The background has to be evenly lit, with no patchiness, no shadow behind the head or shoulders. This is why phone photos taken at home are often rejected: home walls are rarely pure white, room light creates dark areas, and automatic background apps can cut into hair and leave jagged edges.

A small but important tip: because the background is white, wear clothing with contrast, such as navy, dark gray, or other tasteful darker tones. If you wear white on white, the shoulders and body edge can disappear into the background, making the photo look less professional. This contrast principle applies to many document photos; you can read more in the white or blue background photo guide.

In the studio, lighting is set to remove shadows and keep the white background consistent across the frame. Gạo Nâu keeps both white and blue backgrounds ready, so whether you need a Korea visa photo or another document photo, the studio can handle it in one session.

Face and both ears visible, no glasses

Identification is the priority in a Korea visa photo. The face must be clear, looking straight at the camera, and especially, both ears must be visible. This is the point that often causes long hair or loose bangs to fail.

Before taking the photo, sweep hair back and use hairpins on both sides so both ears are visible. Bangs should be clipped or brushed aside, with no strands covering the eyebrows or eyes. If you wonder whether your hairstyle can cover the ears, the safest answer is no — show the ears to meet the standard.

For glasses, Korea visa photos require no glasses. Glasses can reflect studio lights and cover the eye area, reducing recognition accuracy. Even if you wear glasses every day, remove them for the photo. This leads to another important note: the photo should still match your current appearance in the basics (hair color, hairstyle), so if your look has changed a lot, do not reuse an old photo.

Finally, keep the expression natural: eyes open, mouth closed, no open-mouth smile. A relaxed face, straight shoulders, and slightly lowered chin create a photo that is both compliant and pleasant.

Photo must be recent and match current appearance

One easily missed requirement is that Korea visa photos should be taken within the last 6 months. The consular office wants the photo to show you as you are now, not a version from years ago.

This means that even if you have an old ID photo you like, it may not be accepted if it is expired or if your appearance has changed significantly. Common reasons to take a new photo include:

• Haircut or hair color is very different from the old photo.
• You started or stopped wearing glasses (Korea visa photos still require no glasses).
• Weight change has noticeably changed the face.
• The old photo was taken more than 6 months ago.

To save time and reduce risk, the safest choice is to take a new photo right before submitting. With the 590.000đ (VND) ID photo service, you only need 15–30 minutes to get a compliant Korea visa photo, ready the same day — recent and matching your current appearance.

E-visa and digital photo files

In addition to printed photos attached to paper files, some Korea e-visa or visa-sticker cases require a digital photo file. This is where many people get stuck, because self-shot photos often do not have the correct size, white background, or resolution for upload.

The digital file for e-visa must follow the same basic criteria as printed photos: white background, clear face and ears, no glasses. The difference is that the online system may set its own file format and file size limits. These details can change by visa category and period, so confirm with the receiving office before submitting.

When you shoot at Gạo Nâu, the studio crops the file to the correct 3.5x4.5cm size and delivers it for online use alongside printed photos. You do not have to adjust framing or fix the background yourself — the technical part is handled by the studio.

Why take Korea visa photos at a studio?

Visa photos are a classic “small mistake, big consequence” document. A photo that is slightly off standard can cost you a reshoot and delay your trip. That is why this step is worth doing properly from the beginning instead of relying on a phone photo and manual edits.

Ảnh Thẻ Gạo Nâu does not compete on the cheapest price; it provides a premium service: photos that are flattering + compliant + optimized for approval. When taking Korea visa photos here, you receive:

• 2 photo versions per order: one RAW-standard version for the strictest visa-submission requirements, and one subtly beautified version for CVs or personal use.
• Free reshoot if the photo does not meet requirements: the team of 15 photographers keeps up with photo standards for many countries. If the issue is caused by incorrect size or background, the studio will reshoot or fix the file free of charge.
• Retouching that respects your original features: editing never changes the face shape, eyes, nose, or mouth — meeting identification rules for both Japan and Korea — so scanners recognize you from the first check.
• Files cut to the right size: white and blue backgrounds ready, with 3.5x4.5cm files for both printed photos and online digital submissions.

If you are preparing documents for Korea and want peace of mind about the photo, let Gạo Nâu handle this part. The studio is open 08:00 – 20:00 daily. Book quickly through Zalo Ảnh Thẻ Gạo Nâu, call Hotline (+84) 775 243 530, or see the contact page. You can also visit one of our three branches:

• Hà Nội: Tầng 4, 83 Nguyễn Khang, Phường Yên Hòa, Hà Nội.
• TP.HCM Quận 10: 436A/71 Đường 3/2, Phường Hòa Hưng, TP. Hồ Chí Minh.
• TP.HCM Quận 3: 351/45 Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường Nhiêu Lộc, TP. Hồ Chí Minh.

Frequently asked questions