The standard bans sunglasses; ordinary glasses are not mentioned, and clear frames with no glare are accepted in practice. Removing them is always safe.

Does K-ETA use the same photo?

K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation with its own upload; the visa standard above is for the consular visa.

Do my ears have to show in a Korean visa photo?

TL;DR Yes — unless a religious head covering hides them, which Korea expressly permits. The ministry's standard lists "without showing ears" among the reasons a photo is sent back, and separately says a hijab, veil or turban may cover the ears as long as the face from chin to forehead is clear.

The standard, since September 2015

35 × 45 mm, colour neutral, full face 25–35 mm — 56 to 78% of the height. Plain, evenly lit light background. Within 6 months. No sunglasses or hats except for medical or disability reasons. A photo already used on a passport or ID issued more than six months earlier is returned. And: "Head coverings (such as Hijab, Veil, Turban, etc.) are permitted for religious purposes… covering ears are permitted."

The face band most guides get wrong

Full face 25–35 mm on a 45 mm photo tops out at 78%. Guides — and this site, until 6 September 2026 — often give 60–80%; the last two points are over the ministry's line. The 32–36 mm some guides quote is the UK and Schengen head-height figure applied to the wrong country.

The figures, from the catalogue

Document	Size	Head in frame (as we compose it)	Background	Max age	Source
South Korea visa	35 × 45 mm	56–78%	plain, evenly lit and light	6 months	overseas.mofa.go.kr
South Korea passport	35 × 45 mm	71–80%	plain white	6 months	www.passport.go.kr

A real case

A Malaysian applicant in a tudung had her photo returned by a Korean consulate — not for the tudung, which the standard allows over the ears, but because the face band was 82%. Recropped to 75%, same photo, accepted.

Common questions

Can I wear glasses?: The standard bans sunglasses; ordinary glasses are not mentioned, and clear frames with no glare are accepted in practice. Removing them is always safe.
Does K-ETA use the same photo?: K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation with its own upload; the visa standard above is for the consular visa.

Sources

Read on the issuing authority's own pages on the dates shown on each document page:

South Korea visa: overseas.mofa.go.kr (read 2026-09-06)

SGfoto is independent — not affiliated with or endorsed by any government or issuing authority — and does not guarantee acceptance. Requirements change; the authority's page is the one that counts. Rebuilt 2026-09-06.