The Korea Immigration Service rules
For foreigner registration and the Alien Registration Card, the Korea Immigration Service sets out the photo specifications as follows.
- Size: 3.5x4.5 cm (35x45 mm), 1.38 x 1.77 in, at 300 dpi.
- Copies: 1 printed colour photo.
- Age: taken within the last 6 months.
- Face length: 2.5-3.5 cm from the crown to the chin.
- Background: white, with no frame or border.
- Ears: both ears must be visible.
- Expression: mouth closed, shoulders level.
- Glasses: allowed if there is no glare, but no sunglasses or coloured lenses, and the frames must not cover the pupils.
- Head covering: not allowed. No hats or scarves.
- Editing: photos modified with Photoshop or similar software are not accepted.
Taking the photo at home
Find a plain white wall and face a window so the light is even. A helper should hold the phone at eye level in portrait orientation, a little more than an arm's length away. Sit or stand with straight shoulders, move your hair back from your ears, keep your mouth closed and look straight at the lens. Do not wear a hat or scarf.
Add the picture to IDPhotoly. The tool runs in your browser, crops to 3.5x4.5 cm with the face length in the stated range and gives the background an even white.
Common reasons for rejection
- One or both ears hidden by hair.
- Shoulders tilted or a head turned to the side.
- Coloured contact lenses, tinted glasses or frames across the pupils.
- A hat, scarf or other covering.
- A background that is grey, has shadows or a border.
- Visible editing of the face or skin.
Keep your shoulders level, because a tilted pose is a common reason for a retake. Take several shots and pick the sharpest one, since a blurred photo makes ears and facial edges hard to judge. Do not wear a hat or scarf, and remove tinted glasses and any coloured contact lenses before you start.
Printing the photo
Download the 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) sheet and print it at actual size on photo paper. Do not choose fit to page. With a ruler, check one photo at 35 mm by 45 mm and the face length at 25-35 mm. Cut along the guides without trimming into the head or shoulders.
Submitting
Bring the printed photo to the immigration office with your other documents. Offices can ask for details beyond the published guidance, so check with the office you will visit.
IDPhotoly is not affiliated with any government. If an official authority rejects a photo made with the service, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days.