Yes — South Korea allows prescription glasses in passport photos, but with strict conditions. The lenses must be clear, there must be no glare, and your eyes must be fully visible through the lenses. This applies to both passport and Korean visa applications.
Exact Glasses Rules for South Korean Passport Photos
Prescription glasses are conditionally allowed if:
- Lenses are clear — no tint of any kind
- No glare or reflection — both eyes must be fully visible
- Frames do not obscure the eyes — no thick frames that cover the eye area
- The glasses are prescription — non-prescription fashion frames are not permitted
What is not allowed:
- Sunglasses
- Tinted lenses
- Photochromic (transition) lenses with any residual tint
- Non-prescription fashion frames
- Frames thick enough to obscure the eyes or eyebrows
Get a compliant passport photo online
How to Avoid Glasses Glare in Korean Passport Photos
Glare is the most common reason glasses photos get rejected. The lenses must show your eyes clearly with no white spots or light streaks.
Anti-reflective coating. If your lenses have AR coating, most glare problems are eliminated. Korean opticians (안경점) can apply AR coating — cost varies from ₩20,000–50,000 depending on the lens.
Lighting angle. Ask the photographer to use two diffused lights at 45-degree angles instead of a single direct flash. Direct flash almost always creates glare on glasses.
Head tilt. A very slight downward tilt of the chin can redirect reflections away from the camera. The tilt must be minimal — your face must still appear straight-on.
Multiple shots. Ask the photographer to take several photos with small adjustments. Check each one on screen before printing. One reflection-free shot is all you need.
When to Remove Glasses for a Korean Passport Photo
Even though South Korea allows prescription glasses, removing them is often the safer choice. Consider removing your glasses if:
- Your lenses don't have anti-reflective coating
- You're using a photo booth (무인 사진관) instead of a professional studio — booths use direct flash
- Your frames are thick or large enough to obscure your eyebrows
- Your lenses have any tint, including light blue-blocking coatings that show colour
If you remove glasses, wait 5–10 minutes before the photo. This allows the red marks on the bridge of your nose to fade.
Can You Wear Contact Lenses in Korean Passport Photos?
Clear prescription contact lenses are fine. The rule targets glasses and tinted lenses, not vision correction that doesn't obscure your eyes.
What might get flagged: Coloured or cosmetic contact lenses (컬러렌즈) that noticeably change your eye colour. The biometric system compares your photo against previous records. Plain clear lenses won't cause issues.
Where to Get Korean Passport Photos with Glasses
Professional studios (사진관). Studios near 구청 (district offices) and 여권민원실 (passport offices) specialise in passport photos. Cost: ₩8,000–15,000. Ask for "여권사진, 안경 착용, 반사 없이" (passport photo, with glasses, no reflection). The photographer will handle lighting to avoid glare.
Quick photo studios (스피드 사진관). Found near metro stations and in underground shopping areas. Cost: ₩5,000–10,000. These are faster but may use direct flash — ask them to check for glare.
Photo booths (무인 사진관). Automated booths in convenience stores and metro stations. Cost: ₩4,000–8,000. These use a fixed flash. If wearing glasses, check the preview carefully for reflections. Retake if needed.
DIY at home. If taking your own photo:
- White background (South Korea requires pure white)
- 35×45mm
- Prescription glasses allowed if glare-free
- Neutral expression, mouth closed (smiling not allowed)
- Both eyes clearly visible through the lenses
Korean Visa Photo Glasses Rules
Korean visa applications also allow prescription glasses under the same conditions. If you're applying for a Korean visa from abroad:
- 35×45mm, white background
- Prescription glasses allowed, no glare
- No smiling
- Photos must be recent (within 6 months)
Glasses Rules: South Korea vs Other Countries
| Country | Glasses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Canada | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Germany | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Italy | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| United States | ❌ Banned | Since 2016 |
| China | ❌ Banned | |
| Japan | ❌ Banned | |
| France | ❌ Banned | |
| India | ❌ Banned | Since 2020 |
| Australia | ❌ Banned |
South Korea is one of a minority of countries that still allows prescription glasses. Most countries — including the US, China, Japan, France, India, and Australia — now ban all glasses entirely.
Common Glasses Mistakes in Korean Passport Photos
Wearing sunglasses or tinted lenses. Only clear prescription lenses are allowed.
Ignoring glare. A photo that looks fine to you may have subtle reflections the system detects. Always check on screen.
Using fashion frames. Non-prescription glasses are not allowed.
Using a photo booth without checking. Booths use direct flash. Preview the photo and retake if you see any reflection.
Wearing transition lenses that haven't fully cleared. Any tint disqualifies the photo.
Glasses Rules for Koreans Renewing Passports Abroad
If you're renewing your Korean passport from abroad, the same glasses rules apply. Korean embassies and consulates in Tokyo, Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, London, Sydney, and Berlin all follow the same standards.
In countries where glasses are banned (US, Japan, China, France), studios may assume glasses are never allowed. Specify: "한국 여권사진, 안경 가능, 반사 없이, 흰 배경, 35×45mm" or in English: "Korean passport photo, glasses allowed, no glare, white background, 35×45mm."
Can You Wear Glasses at the Korean Passport Office?
The glasses conditions apply only to your passport photo. You can wear any glasses:
- At the 여권민원실 (passport office) during your appointment
- During the in-person biometric data capture
- In your supporting ID documents (주민등록증, etc.)
Korean Children's Passport Photos and Glasses Rules
The same conditional glasses rule applies to children's passport photos. If your child wears prescription glasses and the lenses are clear with no glare, the photo is acceptable. Korean passports for children under 18 are valid for 5 years. Adult passports (18+) are valid for 10 years.
For very young children who wear glasses, removing them for the photo is usually easier — young children move frequently, making glare-free shots harder.
Korean Passport Photo Renewal and Glasses Changes
If your current passport photo shows you without glasses and you now wear them, or vice versa, this is not a problem. South Korea's biometric system accounts for changes in appearance. However, your new photo must still comply with current rules: if wearing glasses, they must be clear prescription lenses with no glare.
Korean Passport Photo Printing and Digital Upload Rules
South Korea accepts both printed and digital passport photos depending on the application method:
- In-person at 구청/여권민원실: Bring printed 35×45mm photos. Most studios provide prints ready to submit.
- Online via 정부24 (Government 24): Upload a digital photo. The system validates the image. Glare on glasses may be flagged by the automated checker.
If applying online, ensure your digital photo is high resolution (at least 600×800 pixels). Low-resolution photos may make subtle glare harder to detect during review but can still be rejected.
Do Not Digitally Edit Glasses in Korean Passport Photos
Do not digitally add or remove glasses from a photo. The biometric system compares your submitted photo to in-person verification. Manipulated photos can delay your application.
Verify your photo meets all Korean passport requirements with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For size requirements, see South Korean passport photo size guide. View all Korean passport photo rules on the South Korea hub.
