Are you applying for a Korean passport or visa? It is important to prepare all documents. An application form, ID card and biometric photo are required to submit while applying for the passport. Your application might be rejected if any of them goes wrong. The photos are important to verify your identity. And today we are going to go through an ultimate guide for Korean passport photos, including photo requirements, where to take a picture and how to guarantee its compliance.
Korean Passport Photo Requirements
Unqualified photos would lead to application rejection. Then you might have to spend more time and money going through the whole process from the beginning again. In order to accelerate the review, Let’s start with the official rules and regulations.
Photo Quality
- Size: 35 (width) x 45 mm (height)
- Resolution: 600 dpi.
- Background: plain and white, no patterns, stains or uneven texture.
- The photo must be colored and taken within the last 6 months.
- The photo should show the applicant’s head and upper shoulders.
Lighting
The whole subject must be evenly lit, which is used to prevent shadows and highlights on the face and background. The best solution for poor lighting is to sit or stand opposite to the main spotlight or the window from which the natural light comes. For better effect in the daytime, shooting in the morning is recommended. If there is no sufficient lighting, you can use fill-in light, such as lamps, flashlights or other strong artificial lights.
Pose
You should look straight at the camera and show both cheeks without tilting or rotating your head.
The camera should be in line with eye level, thus shooting at the frontal view.
Keep your head, neck, shoulders and back straight, so you look energetic and refreshed.
Facial Expressions
Applicants must keep a neutral expression. That is to say, you have to look peaceful and decent without smiling, funny, weird, angry or sad faces.
Open your eyes and close your mouth.
Dress Code
There is no officially appointed attire while taking a Korean passport photo. Just make sure to wear clothes that are daily worn and contrast with the background. That is to say, white clothes and uniforms are not acceptable.
If you have to wear religious headcover and attire daily, you can also do that in passport photos, but don’t cover your face.
As for glasses, never wear sunglasses and glasses with colored lenses or thick frames because they will obscure your eyes. To ensure compliance, it is suggested to take it off unless for medical reasons.
Extra Requirement for Baby Passport Photo
Everyone traveling abroad must hold a passport, even if it is an a-few-day-old newborn. The photo requirements for minors are the same as that for adults, but the following aspects should be paid more attention to.
No distracted items should appear in the photo except for the baby itself, such as nipples, snacks, toys, snacks or baby bottles.
The baby could stand, sit or lie down. If he or she is too young to sit and has to be held by an adult, make sure the grown-up doesn’t appear in the photo.
The baby’s eyes should also be open and visible.
The baby’s mouth should be closed.
Don’t amuse the baby too much in case he/she makes exaggerated facial expressions.
Where to Take Korean Passport Photo?
Where can I take a Korean passport photo near me?
This is the most frequently asked question. Considering the convenience, cost and photo quality, here are three main options.
Passport Photo Machine
It is usually a kiosk that spreads in subway stations in Seoul, Busan or other major cities. It is an enclosed space where you take a picture on your own, thus protecting your privacy. The process from photography to printout takes a few minutes. Most subway stations are equipped with this photo machine and you just need to spend about 5,000 won to get Korean passport photos.
Photo Studios
For better photo quality, you can visit a photo studio where there are professional employees to offer you more detailed instructions. For example, Kodak is a reliable shop providing fast photography services. It often takes 5-10 minutes to have your photo taken, edited and printed. Moreover, you can also google other studios in the neighborhood on Google Maps.
At Home
However, both photo machines and studios have specific opening hours. If you are in urgent need, the photo could be taken at home, but you are advised to use a passport photo tool like AiPassportPhotos. With a built-in Korean passport photo template, it can guarantee your photo compliance and fine-tune it to meet official standards. Most importantly, it provides 7/24 services no matter where you are as long as you have access to the Internet. And here is what AiPassportPhotos does.
- Photo Verifier – The AI technology will automatically scan the photo and check compliance of face visibility, lighting, dressing, etc. All you need to do is to upload the photo you have taken on the website.
- Photo resizing – The original photo would be cropped to the required 35 x 45 mm. Compared with manual resizing, this way is more precise and easier.
- Background removal – You don’t have to worry about improper background color, shadows or distracted items because AiPassportPhotos can adjust it.
- Photo Template – Once your photo is prepared, the digital photo would be sent to your email, so you can submit it online or print it out in the nearby store.
FAQs:
Q: Can I edit my Korean passport photo?
A: You are not allowed to edit it with any tool or software besides resizing. For example, retouching, removing the red-eye effect, reshaping the face, covering blemishes, etc.
Q: Can I take Korean passport photos by myself?
A: Yes, and it should also be compliant with photo requirements. Don’t hold the camera or phone with your arms.
Q: How much does it cost to make a passport photo?
A: It depends on how you choose to take the photo. A passport photo machine usually charges 5,000 won. AiPassportPhotos charges credits and each credit cost 0 to a few cents subject to its subscription plan. Photo studios are the most expensive.
Summary
A perfect Korean passport photo should be qualified in every aspect, including photo size and quality, lighting, poses, facial expressions and dress code. After learning about the official requirements and how to make a perfect passport. You can deal with any problem and feel free to submit your passport application. Hope everything goes smoothly and enjoy your trip.
Erin Lo