The Complete Guide to Getting or Renewing a Passport (Fees and Validity Checks Included)

When you’re getting ready for a summer trip abroad, there’s something you need to check even before your flight ticket: your passport. Where do you apply for a first-time passport? Can you renew it online? How much are the fees? How much validity do you need left before you can leave the country? — Easyticket has pulled it all together based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ passport guide and Government24. We’ll also cover the fact that fees rose in March 2026 for the first time in 20 years.

New Passport vs. Renewal — What’s the Difference?

The first point of confusion is usually, “Am I applying for a new one or renewing?” The distinction is simple.

• New passport: You’ve never had a passport before (first-time applicant)
• Renewal: You already have a passport, but ① it has expired, ② it’s about to expire (less than 6 months left), ③ it’s lost or damaged, ④ you’re running out of visa pages, or ⑤ your personal details (name, ID number, etc.) have changed

Even if your passport hasn’t expired, many countries will deny entry if less than 6 months of validity remains. In that case, it’s safer to renew ahead of time, even before it actually expires.

The key point: first-time applicants and minors under 18 must always apply in person. On the other hand, any adult who has held an electronic passport before can renew online.

How to Apply — Where and How?

There are two main application routes: in person and online. Choose whichever fits your situation.

In-Person Application (Required for First-Timers and Minors)

You can apply at any passport service counter at a city, county, or district office, at an immigration office, or at select post offices that handle passport services. If you’re overseas, apply at your nearest diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general).

Here’s the in-person process:

1. Prepare one passport photo (taken within the last 6 months)
2. Bring ID and visit a passport service counter
3. Fill out and submit the passport application, and pay the fee
4. Once it’s ready, pick it up in person from the office where you applied

For a minor’s passport, a legal guardian’s (parent’s) consent is required, along with an additional consent form and documents confirming the family relationship.

Online Renewal (Government24 & passport.go.kr)

If you’re an adult who has previously received an electronic passport, you can renew online through Government24 or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ passport portal (passport.go.kr). Here’s what you’ll need.

• Log in with your own joint certificate (formerly the accredited certificate)
• Upload a passport photo file — recommended size 413 × 531 pixels (width 395~431, height 507~550 pixels)
• Only photos taken within 6 months of the application date can be used

Even with online renewal, passports must generally be picked up in person. What’s more, once your application is submitted, you can’t change your pickup location, so choose an office that’s convenient for you when you apply.

Passport Fees at a Glance (Raised in March 2026)

Citing higher manufacturing and issuance costs since the 2021 rollout of the next-generation electronic passport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised passport fees by a flat 2,000 KRW starting March 1, 2026. It’s the first fee adjustment since 2005 — 20 years (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The figures below are the actual total amount paid, including the international exchange contribution.

For a typical adult traveler, the standard option is the 10-year, 58-page multiple-entry passport at 52,000 KRW. Choosing the 26-page version, with fewer pages, saves you 3,000 KRW.

How to Check Your Passport’s Validity and Remaining Time

The thing travelers most often overlook right before departure is their validity date. You can check it two ways.

• Check the “date of expiry” directly on your passport’s bio page (the one with your photo)
• Look it up on Government24 or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ passport portal (passport.go.kr) after verifying your identity

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offer a notification service 6 months before your passport expires. Sign up in advance and you’re less likely to forget.

The “6 Months of Remaining Validity” Rule Is Key

Even if your passport hasn’t expired yet, many countries require at least 6 months of validity remaining as of your entry date.

• 6+ months required: Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos, and some European countries like Switzerland, the UK, and Greece
• No separate requirement: Japan doesn’t require any specific remaining validity period
• Exception: The US classifies Korea as an exempt ‘Six-Month Club’ country, so entry is allowed even with less than 6 months remaining, as long as your passport covers your planned stay

Requirements vary by country. Before booking your flight, always check your destination country’s remaining-validity requirement, and renew your passport before departure if it falls short.

Checklist: What You Need and How Long It Takes

For domestic applications, processing typically takes about 8 business days (excluding weekends and public holidays). It can take longer during the busy summer season, so we recommend applying at least a month before departure. If you have a qualifying reason, such as a business trip or a death in the family, expedited issuance is also available.

Check off the list below before you leave, and you won’t miss a thing.

• One passport photo (or file) — taken within 6 months
• ID (resident registration card, driver’s license, etc.)
• Fee (52,000 KRW for the 10-year, 58-page passport)
• Minors: legal guardian’s consent form and family relationship documents
• Online renewal: joint certificate and a photo file that meets the size requirements
• Confirm you have 6+ months of remaining validity
• Note your pickup office and date (can’t be changed after submission)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I renew my passport online too?

Adults who have previously held an electronic passport can renew online through Government24 or passport.go.kr. However, first-time applicants and anyone under 18 must always apply in person, and even if you apply online, you’ll still need to pick up the passport in person.

How much are passport fees?

Fees rose starting March 1, 2026. An adult’s 10-year multiple-entry passport (58 pages) is 52,000 KRW, and the 26-page version is 49,000 KRW. A single-entry passport is 17,000 KRW, and a renewal that retains the remaining validity period is 27,000 KRW.

I have 8 months of validity left — can I still travel?

It depends on your destination. If the country requires 6+ months of remaining validity, 8 months is fine, but it can get tight if your trip is long or involves layovers. Calculate whether you’ll still have 6 months left as of your entry date, and if it’s borderline, it’s safer to renew ahead of time.

How long does issuance take?

Domestic applications typically take about 8 business days. It can take longer during the summer vacation season, so we recommend applying a month before departure. If you’re in a hurry, look into the expedited issuance option.

Get your passport sorted early, and you’re halfway done with your summer vacation prep. Check your validity date today, and if 6 months is cutting it close, apply now before the peak season rush hits. 🛫

Sources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Passport Guide - Fee Information
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Passport Guide - Basic Information on Online Renewal
• Online Passport Renewal Application - Government24
• Passport Issuance - Civil Service Information and Application - Government24
• Ministry of the Interior and Safety - Press Release on 6-Month Pre-Expiry Notification