starting March 2026, the fee for issuing a South Korean passport will increase by KRW 2,000. the increase will apply to all passport types, from 10-year multiple passports to single passports and emergency passports, in order to cover the rising manufacturing costs and administrative services associated with the introduction of next-generation e-passports. in this report, we detail the information the public needs to know, including the total cost of each passport type, the structure of the International Exchange Contribution, the online application process via Government24, and the photo rules to watch out for.
why and when passport fees will increase
on March 1, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea officially announced that it will increase passport issuance fees by 2,000 won from the current level. this fee adjustment is a necessary step to realign passport administrative fees, which have been frozen for the past 20 years, and to reflect the cost of manufacturing new generation e-passports, especially those with significantly enhanced security.
as the demand for international travel explodes and global immigration standards become stricter, the security technology of passports, the official identification documents of a country, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. In particular, the next-generation e-passport, which will be fully introduced from 2021, has changed from paper to polycarbonate, complicating the manufacturing process and significantly increasing the cost of raw materials and production. the government has been making various efforts to ease the burden on citizens, including reducing the international exchange contribution, but the increase in net manufacturing costs has reached a level that can no longer be covered by the administrative budget alone, leading to the decision to raise the fee.
if you're planning a big family trip abroad, getting your passport in advance by the end of February 2026 could be a practical way to save a small fortune. while this may seem like a small increase, for a family of four, it will cost close to $10,000 extra, so it's worth considering early renewal if you're close to expiration.
how passports cost: fees and international contributions
the total cost of getting a passport consists of two main components: the passport issuance fee and the international exchange contribution. while many people perceive them as a single administrative fee, their purpose and basis for collection are actually quite distinct.
the passport issuance fee pays for the labor, material, and system maintenance costs incurred in the process of manufacturing and issuing the official document. the international exchange contribution, on the other hand, is a type of levy collected under the Korea International Exchange Foundation Act, and is used as a valuable source of funding to carry out public diplomacy projects that promote Korea to the world, promote international exchange, support overseas Koreans, and various international cultural exchange projects.
interestingly, the government has recently been promoting a policy of drastically reducing or partially exempting the contribution in order to ease the financial burden on citizens. since the contribution has been lowered compared to the past, even with the 2,000 won increase in the issuance fee, the absolute total cost borne by the public can still be assessed as being managed at a reasonable level when compared to the total perceived cost before the contribution was cut in the past.
detailed comparison of costs before and after the increase by passport type
to understand the new cost structure that will apply from March 2026, it's important to first check the validity and number of sections of the passport you are applying for. the same increase applies to the most popular 10-year multiple passports, as well as 5-year passports for minors and single passports.
the table below summarizes the estimated total cost of each passport type for March 2026 and beyond.
detailed comparison of passport issuance costs (post-March 2026)
passport type validity and number of sides existing fee fee after increase international Exchange Contribution total amount paid multiple Passports 10 years (58 pages) 38,000 KRW 40,000 KRW 12,000 KRW kRW 52,000 multiple passports 10 years (26 pages) 35,000 KRW 37,000 KRW 12,000 KRW 49,000 KRW multiple passports 5 years (58 pages) 33,000 KRW 35,000 KRW 9,000 KRW 44,000 KRW multiple passports 5 years (26 pages) 30,000 KRW 32,000 KRW 9,000 KRW 41,000 KRW single passport within 1 year kRW 15,000 17,000 KRW exempt 17,000 KRW emergency Passport 1 time use 48,000 KRW 50,000 KRW exemption 50,000 KRW travel Certificate 1 time use 23,000 KRW 25,000 KRW exemption 25,000 KRWplease note that the contribution for a 5-year multiple passport for children under the age of 8 may differ from adults and teens, while single passports and travel documents are completely exempt from the contribution and can be issued at a price that only reflects the fee increase. for a 10-year multiple passport, the final cost of the most commonly applied for 58-sided passport will be KRW 52,000, while the 26-sided passport with fewer pages will cost KRW 49,000.
features and technical value of the new generation of e-passports
the main driver of the increase in passport fees, the Next Generation e-Passport, is more than just a design change. introduced in December 2021, the passport boasts world-class technology in terms of security and durability.
the biggest change is the material of the personal details page. instead of the traditional paper laminate, the passport is made of polycarbonate, a high-strength plastic material. not only is polycarbonate resistant to heat and shock, but it is also virtually impossible to counterfeit because it uses a laser to engrave the information. the encryption technology in the electronic chip inside the passport has also been enhanced, enabling fast and accurate facial recognition for automated border control at any airport in the world.
in terms of design, the passport's navy blue exterior is a modern interpretation of traditional Korean beauty. on the inside pages, artifacts and symbols from each era are placed, making the passport itself a cultural artwork. In order to maintain such high security technology and design perfection, a sophisticated production process is essential, which naturally leads to higher manufacturing costs.
online passport renewal application process with Government24
the most efficient way to save time and money in response to the increase in passport issuance costs is to apply online through Government24. in the past, you had to visit your local government office twice to apply for a passport, but now you only need to visit once to pick it up, which is very convenient.
the online application process works like this first, go to the official Government24 website, verify your identity, and type passport replacement in the search bar. next, you'll be asked to fill out the application form, verify your personal details, and upload a photo of your passport that meets the specifications. if your photo doesn't meet the specifications, the system will immediately pop up a notification, so pay close attention. finally, pay the increased fee online to complete the application.
you can check the progress of your application in real-time in the Service Application History menu of Government24, and you will receive a notification text when your passport is ready and has arrived at the receiving organization. you must bring your ID with you to pick up your passport, and if your old passport is still valid, you must bring it with you to have it invalidated before you can receive your new passport.
what to bring and who can apply in person
not everyone can apply for a passport online; first-time applicants, minors under the age of 18, and those whose personal information has changed, such as due to a name change, must apply in person at the Passport Complaint Center of their local city, county, or district office.
when applying in person, you will need to bring a valid ID to prove your identity and one passport-sized photo taken within the last six months. if you are a minor, you will also need a letter of consent from your legal representative, and if your parents are unable to visit in person, you may be asked to provide a seal certificate or a certificate of authenticity for your signature. in addition, government officials and officials who wish to apply for a tolerance passport or diplomatic passport must provide official documents from their respective organizations and proof of employment.
the advantage of applying in person is that the official in charge of the application will check the photo specifications or the application form on the spot, especially if the background or face size of the photo does not meet the regulations, so you can save time due to rejections. however, you'll have to pay an increased fee on-site, and be prepared for longer wait times during peak periods when the number of applications is high.
a detailed guide to passport photo rules and what not to do with AI retouching
one of the most common points of rejection in the passport application process is the photo, and as of 2026, the rules on photo editing or retouching using AI technology have been significantly tightened.
passport photos must be a headshot measuring 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm tall, with a strict rule that the face length (crown to chin) must be between 3.2 and 3.6 cm. the background must be a uniform white color, with no shadows or light reflections. the shoulder line must be facing forward, the mouth must be closed, and a natural expression must be maintained.
most importantly, photos that have been retouched using photo editing programs like Photoshop or filter functions in smartphone apps are never acceptable. we also don't accept AI profile photos, which are a recent trend, or photos that use AI to synthesize backgrounds. your passport photo is a tool for international identification, so any retouched photo that doesn't look real can cause major inconveniences at border crossings, including denial of passage through automated checkpoints. additionally, hair should not obscure facial contours or eyebrows, and if you wear glasses, you should take extra care to ensure that the frames do not cover your eyes or reflect light off the lenses.
international travel essentials: Passport validity and the six-month rule
in addition to the news of increased passport fees, it's important to keep in mind the passport validity restrictions of the countries you're visiting. many countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity remaining at the time of entry.
for example, major destinations frequented by Koreans, such as China, the United States, and Vietnam, may deny visas or restrict access to flights if the passport is less than six months old. this is an international practice to prevent travelers from becoming illegal or needing consular assistance if their passport expires while they are in the country. so, if your passport is due to expire in the second half of 2026, getting a replacement before March, when the fee increase goes into effect, is a great way to save money and be prepared to travel safely.
during the summer vacation months of July and August, or before and after holidays, passport applications may be backlogged and the process may take two to three days longer than usual. it usually takes about 8 working days, but we recommend that you complete your application at least 3 weeks before your departure to allow for any unforeseen circumstances.
about emergency passports and travel documents
if you're about to leave the country and realize you've lost your passport or it's not valid enough, you can take advantage of the emergency passport (non-electronic singular) scheme. from March 2026, the fee for an emergency passport will increase from 48,000 won to 50,000 won.
the fee for an emergency passport can be reduced to KRW 20,000 for humanitarian reasons, such as the death of a relative or serious illness, with supporting documentation. if you don't have the documents at the time of application, you can pay the regular fee to get the passport and then submit the documents within six months to receive a refund of the difference. however, an emergency passport is only valid for one year and becomes invalid after one use, and some countries may restrict entry with an emergency passport or require a separate visa, so be sure to check the regulations of the country you are visiting beforehand.
a travel certificate is a certificate issued to return home for overseas residents who have lost their passport, and is also subject to a fee of 25,000 won, an increase of 2,000 won. the exemption remains in place, so if you lose your passport abroad, you shouldn't panic and visit the nearest embassy or consulate for assistance.
frequently asked questions and JSON-LD schema
Q1: How much will the cost of passports increase from March 2026? A1: All passport issuance fees will increase by KRW 2,000 in a lump sum. the total cost for a 10-year multiple passport (58 pages) will be KRW 52,000.
Q2: If I apply online, will my passport be shipped to my home? A2: You can apply for individual mail delivery service (for a fee) when applying in person, but if you apply online, you must visit the designated institution to verify your identity and register your fingerprints.
Q3: Can I use a photo retouched at a photo studio? A3: You can make basic adjustments, such as removing the background, but excessive retouching that makes your photo look unrealistic, such as changing the contours of your face or modifying your eye shape, will be rejected. AI-enhanced photos are strictly prohibited.
Q4: My pass expires in 3 months, can I travel to Japan? A4: Some countries, such as Japan, allow entry with validity remaining, but there is a high risk of rejection due to airline regulations or local circumstances. It is safest to bring a passport with at least six months of validity remaining on the date of departure.
conclusion and suggestions
the passport issuance fee increase, which will take effect in March 2026, is a move of the times to ensure the security and quality of the next generation of e-passports. although it will cost an additional 2,000 won, it is well worth it as it will ensure safer and more convenient global mobility. travel-loving citizens are encouraged to check their passport expiration date to ensure they get a replacement before the hike, or apply smartly online through Government24 to save unnecessary costs and time.
key takeaway: from March 2026, all passport issuance fees will increase by KRW 2,000, photo retouching will be absolutely prohibited, and a six-month validity period will be mandatory
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