DV Lottery Photo Requirements — Green Card Lottery Photo Guide

The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery — commonly known as the Green Card lottery — has some of the strictest photo requirements of any US immigration application. A non-compliant photo will automatically disqualify your entire entry with no option to fix and resubmit. Here's exactly what you need.

Critical: A non-compliant photo means automatic disqualification. You cannot fix or resubmit — you must wait for the next lottery cycle (one full year).

Exact Technical Specifications

Image Size	Exactly 600 x 600 pixels (square)
File Format	JPEG (.jpg) only
File Size	240 KB minimum — 12 MB maximum
Color Space	sRGB (standard for most cameras/phones)
Color Depth	24-bit color
Physical Equivalent	2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) at 300 DPI
Background	Plain white or off-white, no shadows
Head Position	Centered, head 50-69% of image height
Eye Position	Between 56-69% from bottom of photo
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open
Glasses	Not permitted (since 2016)
Head Covering	Religious only, full face visible

DV Lottery Photo vs Regular US Passport Photo

Specification	DV Lottery	US Passport
Physical Size	2x2 inches (51x51mm)	2x2 inches (51x51mm)
Digital Size	Exactly 600x600 px	600x600 to 1200x1200 px
File Size	240KB — 12MB	240KB — 12MB
Head Height	50-69% of image	1-1.375 inches (25-35mm)
Eye Position	56-69% from bottom	Not strictly specified
Rejection Consequence	Full disqualification	Request for new photo
Resubmission	Not allowed	Allowed

Key differences are highlighted. The DV lottery is stricter in digital specifications and has zero tolerance for non-compliance.

Common Disqualification Reasons

Wrong pixel dimensions (not exactly 600x600)

File size outside 240KB-12MB range

Non-JPEG file format (PNG, HEIC, WEBP, etc.)

Head size outside 50-69% of frame height

Eyes not positioned at 56-69% from bottom

Wearing glasses (any type)

Shadows on background or face

Photo older than 6 months

Non-white or non-uniform background

Digital filters or beauty mode applied

Multiple people in the photo

Blurry, grainy, or low-quality image

How to Prepare Your DV Lottery Photo

Take a photo against a plain white wall or white sheet with even, front-facing lighting. Use the rear camera of your phone.

Ensure your head is centered, expression is neutral, mouth is closed, eyes are open, and no glasses are worn.

Crop to exactly 600x600 pixels. The head should take up 50-69% of the frame height, with eyes at 56-69% from the bottom.

Save as JPEG format. Check file size is between 240KB and 12MB.

Use the official State Department photo validation tool at travel.state.gov to verify compliance before submitting.

Don't Risk Disqualification

The DV lottery is a once-a-year opportunity. With millions of applicants and only ~55,000 visas available, getting disqualified over a photo is devastating. Last Min ID Photo generates photos at the exact specifications required — 600x600 pixels, correct head positioning, white background, and proper file format. Upload any photo and get a compliant result in 60 seconds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a DV lottery photo?

The DV lottery requires exactly 600x600 pixels (square format). This is equivalent to 2x2 inches (51x51mm) at 300 DPI, the same physical dimensions as a US passport photo. The file must be in JPEG format, between 240KB and 12MB, in sRGB color space with 24-bit color depth.

Can I use my passport photo for the DV lottery?

If your passport photo was taken within the last 6 months and can be converted to exactly 600x600 pixels in JPEG format at the correct file size (240KB-12MB), then potentially yes. However, the DV lottery system is very strict about digital specifications, so it's safer to prepare a photo specifically for the lottery.

What happens if my DV lottery photo is rejected?

If the photo doesn't meet specifications, your entire DV lottery entry will be disqualified. There is no resubmission — you must wait until the next lottery cycle to apply again. This is why photo compliance is so critical for the DV lottery compared to other applications.

Do I need a white background for the DV lottery?

Yes. The US State Department requires a plain white or off-white background with no patterns, shadows, or other people/objects visible. The background must be uniformly white across the entire photo.

Can I wear glasses in my DV lottery photo?

No. Since November 2016, glasses are prohibited in all US immigration photos including the DV lottery. This applies to all types of eyewear: prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. Remove them for the photo even if you wear them daily.

When is the DV lottery registration period?

The DV lottery typically opens in early October and closes in early November each year. The exact dates are announced by the US State Department. For DV-2026, check the official dvprogram.state.gov website for specific dates. Do not use any third-party website to submit — only the official government site.