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DV Diversity Visa photo

DV Lottery Photo Requirements 2026

Create a 600 x 600 pixel photo for your Green Card Lottery application. Strict requirements - wrong format means automatic disqualification!

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DV Lottery digital photo crop workspace with square visa photo checklist

Quick answer

A DV Lottery entry photo must be a 600 x 600 pixel JPEG and 240KB or less.

Use a recent color photo, plain white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, and a head size that fills about 50% to 69% of the image height.

Pixels
600 x 600
Format
JPEG
File size
240KB max
Reviewed
July 20, 2026

Check the digital file before submitting.

The State Department lists a square JPEG image, 600 x 600 pixels, and 240KB or less for Diversity Visa Program entry photos.

DV Lottery Photo Exact Specifications

Size Requirements

  • OK 600 x 600 pixels exactly
  • OK Square format (1:1 ratio)
  • OK Head: 50-69% of image height
  • OK Eyes: 56-69% from bottom

File Requirements

  • OK JPEG format only (.jpg)
  • OK 240KB file size
  • OK 24-bit color depth
  • OK sRGB color space

Content Requirements

  • OK White/off-white background
  • OK Taken within 6 months
  • OK No glasses allowed
  • OK Neutral expression, eyes open

DV Lottery Photo Visual Guide

Head: 50-69%
Eyes line
Correct

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Head too large
Head too small
Wearing glasses
Dark background

Top DV Lottery Photo Rejection Reasons

Avoid these mistakes - they will automatically disqualify your entry!

1GBP

Wrong Dimensions

Photo must be EXACTLY 600 x 600 pixels. Not 601 x 600, not 600 x 599. Exactly 600 x 600.

2GBP

File Too Large

File size must be 240KB or less. Use our tool to compress while maintaining quality.

3GBP

Wrong Format

Only JPEG (.jpg) is accepted. PNG, BMP, GIF, HEIC - all rejected automatically.

4GBP

Wearing Glasses

No glasses of any kind. Remove all eyewear including prescription and sunglasses.

Photos for Family Members

Each Family Member Needs Their Own Photo

If you're including your spouse and children in your DV Lottery entry, each person needs their own separate 600 x 600 pixel photo.

  • Principal applicant photo
  • Spouse photo (if applicable)
  • Each child under 21 (unmarried)

Baby & Young Children Photos

For infants and young children:

  • - Eyes should be open (as much as possible)
  • - No toys, pacifiers, or other objects
  • - No hands (parent's or child's) visible
  • - Plain white background
  • - Neutral expression (not crying/laughing)
Baby Photo Guide

Practical DV Photo Checks Before Entry

The Diversity Visa entry form checks technical photo details before you submit. Do not rely only on how the photo looks on your phone. Confirm the pixel dimensions, file type, and file size after export, because a square-looking preview can still be saved at the wrong dimensions.

Use a new photo for each entrant. A reused passport photo can fail if it is older than six months, if your appearance changed, or if a previous digital file was compressed too heavily. For family entries, prepare each spouse or child photo separately and keep filenames clear so you do not upload the wrong person.

After export, open the file properties and check that it is JPEG, 600 x 600 pixels, and 240KB or less. If the background is gray, patterned, or shadowed, retake the source photo before uploading rather than trying to hide the issue with filters.

DV Lottery Photo FAQ

When is the DV Lottery registration period?
The DV Lottery registration typically opens in early October and closes in early November each year. The exact dates are announced by the U.S. Department of State. For DV-2026 (winners entering the US in 2026), registration will be in fall 2024. Make sure your photo is ready before registration opens!
Can I use a scanned passport photo?
You can scan a physical photo, but it's not recommended because:
  • Scanned photos often have quality issues
  • Getting exactly 600 x 600 pixels is difficult
  • Scan lines or texture may be visible
  • Color accuracy can be affected
It's better to take a new digital photo with your smartphone.
What if my entry is selected but photo was wrong?
If your photo didn't meet requirements, your entry may be disqualified during the verification process, even if you were initially selected. This can happen at any stage:
  • During initial computer validation
  • During visa interview at the embassy
  • Your case could be terminated without appeal
Always use a compliant photo from the start!
Is the photo different from regular US visa photo?
The main difference is in the file size limit:
DV Lottery 600 x 600px, 240KB
DS-160 Visa 600 x 600px, 240KB-10MB

DV Lottery has a stricter maximum file size. A DV Lottery photo will work for DS-160, but not always vice versa.

Other US Photo Types

US Passport Photo

For US passport applications and renewals.

US Visa Photo (DS-160)

For US visa applications (B1/B2, F1, H1B).

Green Card Photo

For I-485, I-90 and USCIS forms.

Create Your DV Lottery Photo Now

Exactly 600 x 600 pixels, under 240KB, JPEG format. Don't risk disqualification - use our free tool to ensure compliance.

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