more than just a travel document, a South Korean passport is a powerful symbol of freedom of movement, allowing visa-free access to more than 190 countries around the world. it's seen as a symbol of national credibility and high technology, and is becoming increasingly valuable. the government has decided to increase passport issuance fees by KRW 2,000 across the board starting in March 2026. this is the first major realization of the fee in 20 years and is aimed at raising funds to cover the rising cost of manufacturing and upgrading administrative services due to the introduction of next-generation e-passports. in this report, we take an in-depth look at the specific background of the fee increase, the role of the International Exchange Contribution, and the essential information that citizens should be aware of when applying for a passport.
1. background on the passport fee hike and the value of next-generation e-passports
passport administration in South Korea has been constantly changing with technological advancements. the next-generation e-passport, which was fully introduced at the end of 2021, has dramatically improved security by moving away from the traditional paper-based personal information side and adopting a polycarbonate material. polycarbonate is durable, heat-resistant, and laser-engraved with personal information, making it virtually impossible to physically counterfeit. these technological advancements are helping to speed up immigration screening at overseas airports and ensure safe travel for Korean citizens.
the government has historically kept passport issuance fees as low as possible to ease the financial burden on citizens; in fact, in 2013, it even lowered the fee by 2,000 won through an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Passport Act. however, as the manufacturing costs of next-generation e-passports continue to rise and the maintenance costs of the passport issuance and management system increase, the need for a realistic fee has arisen. this increase, which will take effect in March 2026, reflects these rising costs and will increase the cost of issuing all types of passports by KRW 2,000.
2. a breakdown of the March 2026 passport fee changes
the total cost of obtaining a passport consists of two components: the net issuance fee and the international exchange contribution. starting in March 2026, the total amount paid will change due to an increase in the issuance fee component. based on the most popular 10-year validity multiple passports, the 58-sided passport will increase from KRW 50,000 to KRW 52,000 and the 26-sided passport will increase from KRW 47,000 to KRW 49,000.
below is the cost structure for the main passport types that are expected to apply after the March 2026 increase.
passport Type and Validitynumber of visasexisting total cost (as of 2024.7)total cost after March 2026 multiple passport (10 years, 18+) 58 pages 50,000 KRW kRW 52,000 multiple passports (10 years, 18+) 26 pages 47,000 KRW 49,000 KRW multiple passport (5 years, 8 years old or older) 58 pages kRW 42,000 44,000 KRW multiple Passport (5 years, 8 years old or older) 26 pages kRW 39,000 41,000 KRW multiple passport (5 years, under 8 years old) 58 pages 33,000 KRW 35,000 KRW multiple passport (5 years, under 8 years old) 26 pages 30,000 KRW 32,000 KRW single passport (1 year or less) not applicable 15,000 KRW 17,000 KRW
this increase is characterized by the fact that it is the same amount for all passport types, regardless of the validity period. This is likely to reflect the increase in common costs in the manufacturing process. Also, minors are charged differently from the age of 8, but the 2,000 won fee increase is the same regardless of age.
3. stagnation of the International Exchange Contribution and the Korea Foundation's Public Diplomacy Activities
the International Exchange Contribution, which accounts for a significant portion of the passport issuance fee, is a quasi-tax collected under the Korea Foundation for International Exchange Act of 1991. the contribution is used to promote the proper recognition and understanding of Korea in the international community by implementing various exchange programs between Korea and foreign countries.
every year, the Korea Foundation utilizes hundreds of billions of won in contributions to promote Korean values around the world. a representative example of this is the support for the installation and exhibition of Korean rooms in famous museums overseas. by supporting the display of Korean artifacts at museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States and the British Museum in the United Kingdom, we provide local people with the opportunity to experience Korean culture. the contribution is also used to foster Korean experts by establishing Korean studies courses or professorships at leading universities overseas.
the contribution rate has been reduced once before, effective July 1, 2024, to ease the financial burden on the public. the contribution for a 10-year multiple passport was reduced by 3,000 won, from 15,000 won to 12,000 won. however, the issuance fee itself will be increased by 2,000 won in March 2026, so the final amount paid by citizens will eventually be similar to the pre-cut level.
4. administrative Procedures for Passport Issuance and How to Utilize the Online Application System
there are two main ways to apply for a passport: in-person and online. in the past, you had to visit your local ward office or city hall, but now you can apply for a replacement passport conveniently through the Government24 site. however, online applications are limited for minors under the age of 18 and first-time issuers, as in-person verification is still required.
uploading a photo file is the most important step when applying online. the file size is limited to 500 KB or less and can only be in JPG or JPEG format. the resolution of the photo should be 300 dpi, and a size of 413 pixels wide by 531 pixels tall is best. please note that if your photo is straight from your smartphone or heavily retouched, it will most likely be rejected during the passport application process.
when applying in person, you will need to bring your ID and one passport-sized photo taken within the last six months. if you have an existing passport that is still valid, you will need to surrender it, and if you lose it, you will need to report it as lost. passport issuance usually takes between 4 and 10 days, but in the run-up to the March 2026 hike, there may be delays due to a rush of applicants, so it's wise to plan ahead if you have travel plans.
5. passport photo rules and guidelines for avoiding petitions
passports are international identification documents, so photo regulations are very strict. a mistake in one photo can cause your travel plans to be disrupted, so be sure to follow these detailed rules.
first, the background must be a uniform white color - photos with shadows in the background, off-white or borders that are not white are not acceptable. also, if the background has been forcibly removed with a photo editing program, the person's outline will be unnatural and will be grounds for rejection.
second is facial orientation and gaze. the face should be facing forward and the mouth should be naturally closed. the eyes should not be red-eyed or wearing circles, and if glasses are worn, the rims should not cover the eyes or reflect light off the lenses. we also don't accept bangs that cover eyebrows or facial contours, so make sure your forehead and eyebrows are clearly visible.
third are the rules for photos of babies and toddlers. all the criteria are the same as for adults, but infants up to 36 months old who have difficulty keeping their mouths closed are allowed to have their mouths slightly open. however, the photo must not show objects, such as a caregiver's hands or toys.
6. cost changes for special cases, such as emergency passports and travel documents
emergency passports, which are issued when you lose your passport while traveling abroad or need to leave the country for an urgent reason, will also see an increase in fees starting in March 2026. the emergency passport, which is a non-visa passport, currently costs 48,000 won, but will cost 50,000 won after the increase. however, there is an exception that allows the fee to be reduced to KRW 15,000 if humanitarian reasons such as the death of a relative or critical illness can be proven.
travel certificates, which are mainly issued to expatriates and forced evictees who cannot afford to wait for a passport, will also increase in cost from 23,000 won to 25,000 won. separately, if you need to change the information on your passport or get a passport with a residual validity, the cost is relatively low, currently 25,000 won. while these specialized passport services are simpler or faster to issue than regular passports, they are not exempt from the policy trend of increasing fees.
7. conclusion and future outlook
the passport issuance fee hike, which will take effect from March 2026, is analyzed as an inevitable choice to ensure a stable supply of next-generation e-passports and improve the quality of Korea's public diplomacy. the cost of 52,000 won for a 10-year multiple passport can be considered reasonable given the world-class security technology and benefits. citizens can save KRW 2,000 by checking the validity of their passports and renewing them in advance of the increase.
in the future, the passport administration will continue to focus on public convenience, with mobile verification services expanded and more online applications available, in combination with digital technology. At the same time, the transparent operation of the International Exchange Contribution is expected to contribute to making Korea a more trusted country in the international community.
summary
from March 2026, all passport issuance fees will be increased by KRW 2,000 in a lump sum.
the total cost for a 10-year multiple passport (58 pages) will change from 50,000 won to 52,000 won.
the increase is due to the rising cost of manufacturing next-generation e-passports and the realization of administrative services.
the international exchange contribution will be added to the increased fee and will be used for public diplomacy programs of the Korea Foundation.
if you comply with the photo standards when applying online, you can get your passport issued quickly without rejection.
FAQs
Q1. When do I have until March 2026 to apply at the pre-hike price? The fee increase will take effect on March 1, 2026, so you can apply by the end of February 2026 to receive the pre-hike price.
Q2. Does everyone have to pay the International Exchange Contribution? children under the age of 8 are exempt or have their contribution reduced, but the fee increase of 2,000 won will apply to all passport applicants.
Q3. Can anyone apply for a passport replacement online? Adults 18 years of age or older can apply for a replacement passport online, while first-time applicants, minors, and those who have changed their name must apply in person.
Q4. Does my passport photo really have to have a white background? yes, your passport photo must have a uniform white background and will be rejected if there is any evidence of Photoshopping or shadows on the background.
Q5. How is the new generation e-passport better than the old green passport? it is made of polycarbonate material, which makes it durable, and laser engraving technology makes it highly secure and difficult to counterfeit, which is a big advantage.
key takeaway: Starting in March 2026, the fee for issuing a South Korean passport will increase by 2,000 won, up to 52,000 won for a 10-year multiple passport.
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