Follow 2028 DV Lottery Photo Requirements & Get Accepted the First Time

Learn all official DV lottery photo requirements to submit a fully compliant entry and maximize your chances of being accepted on the first try. This guide covers all essential U.S. Department of State specifications, including 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixel dimensions, a head size of 50-69% of the frame, a white or off‑white background, JPEG format, a maximum file size of 240 KB, and other crucial parameters. Every applicant must follow them exactly; incorrect photos are among the most common reasons for automatic rejections, and re‑submissions are only possible in the next lottery year.

Source: US Department of State 

How does DV Lottery work?

The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery) is held every year by the U.S. Department of State. The US gives 50,000 Green Cards to countries with low population rates. Winners are selected at random from all eligible entries submitted during the registration period. Each entrant must meet the basic education, work experience, and country‑of‑origin requirements set by the U.S. government. They must provide a full list of documents, including the compliant DV lottery pictures.

12 Essential DV Lottery Photo Requirements: Checklist

Including the correct photograph with your US Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery application is essential for its successful approval. A DV lottery photo must meet the strict US DV lottery photo requirements set by the US Department of State, as well as the international biometric standards defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303. 

But when using our DV lottery photo tool, you don't need to worry about — it automatically applies 12 official guidelines listed below.

Acceptable DV Lottery Photo Example

Unacceptable DV Lottery Photo Example

US Diversity Visa Digital Photo Explained

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is an online-only application submitted through the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) system. For the initial entry, printed photographs are not required — you only need to upload a digital image. Physical photos (2×2 inches) are only necessary later if you are selected for a visa interview at the US embassy or consulate.

Key Differences Between DV Lottery Entry Photo and Green Card Interview Photo

DV Lottery Photo Rules for Children

Children under 21 must be listed as derivatives on your Diversity Visa Lottery entry, and each child requires their own compliant digital photo uploaded with the application. While the technical specifications mirror adult requirements, capturing acceptable photos of young children presents unique challenges.

Technical Requirements (Same as Adults)

• 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels square format

• JPEG format only, maximum 240 KB

• Head height 50-69% of total image height

• Plain white or off-white background

• Taken within the last 6 months

• Color photo (24-bit minimum, no black and white)

Special rules for infants and young children

Eyes:

• Children under 1 year may have partially closed eyes or a neutral expression

• Eyes must be open and visible for children over 1 year old

• No "red eye" — photos with flash reflection on pupils are rejected

Support and positioning:

• The child must be alone in the frame — no other people, hands, or objects visible

• You may support the child's head from behind or the side, but your hands must not appear in the photo

• Use a white car seat or lay newborns on a plain white sheet and photograph from above

• The camera must be at the child's eye level

Prohibited items:

• No pacifiers, bottles, or toys

• No headwear except for religious purposes (requires documentation)

• No glasses of any kind

Remember: Even minor deviations cause automatic disqualification by the software that processes entries. The system checks all photos algorithmically, not manually, so strict compliance is essential for every family member's photo.

Where to Get a DV Lottery Photo in the US?

If you’re wondering, “Where can I get a professional DV Lottery visa photo done that follows all size and background rules?”, there are many convenient locations in the US that offer compliant imaging services tailored to the program's strict digital specifications. From nationwide pharmacy chains to specialized online tools, you have multiple options to get an official image that meets Department of State standards.

Pharmacies and Drug Stores

Pharmaceutical retailers Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid provide in-store passport photo services. At Walgreens, the price for two printed photos is $16.99, with a free digital copy sent to your email.

Shipping Centers

UPS, FedEx, and other delivery facilities also provide passport photo services. The staff is familiar with the DV Lottery photo specifications. For example, FedEx offers passport-size photo service for $14.99 with printed or digital copies available.

Post Offices and Passport Agents

Post offices are often equipped to handle passport applications and offer photo services on site. In most cases, the price for a passport photo session is around $15.

Retail Stores

In the United States, retail stores like Walmart often have dedicated spaces for passport photo sessions, providing professional images that meet official standards. However, using a photo booth for your Diversity Visa Lottery photo is not recommended, as the image quality may not consistently meet the official requirements.

Online Passport Photo Makers

The most convenient and stress-free way to create a DV lottery visa photo is to use an online passport photo maker like PhotoGov. The tool creates technically compliant official pictures, using your selfie as a base. If your original portrait is properly taken and follows the basic requirements for lighting, head positioning, and facial expression, an algorithm turns it into an official photograph that meets the US Department of State requirements. The whole process takes under 30 seconds.

DV Lottery Visa Photo in the USA: Service Comparison

How Do I Take a DV Lottery Visa Photo at Home That Fully Meets All Official Requirements

Today, with a convenient DV photo tool like PhotoGov, you can take your own photo from the comfort of your home. Save time and money on a professional studio visit, and create a fully compliant DV lottery picture using just your phone — and our DV photo editor will convert it to the right size, proportions, and framing.

Use a digital camera or a smartphone to snap your picture. Choose a well-lit spot and make sure the background is plain white or off‑white. The photo must be taken within the last six months and clearly reflect your current appearance.

Lighting. Your photo needs to be evenly lit and free of shadows. This is essential to ensure that your facial features are properly captured. Try to have balanced light from both sides, as well as from the front, and avoid strong backlighting.

Posture. Although a DV lottery photo is just a headshot, posture strongly affects the result. Stay relaxed, but keep your back straight. Look directly into the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your eyes open and mouth closed. Don’t smile.

Body-camera distance. A DV lottery photo must show the upper torso, with the entire head visible in the shot. Position the camera 5-7 feet (1.5-2 meters) away from the wall. Take several shots at slightly different distances and choose the best one.

Upload the image to our DV lottery photo tool. It will crop your photo to the correct head size, automatically resize it to 600 x 600 pixels, and verify that the background meets the required standards.

Receive your DV Lottery photo. Once the processing is complete, download your image in a printable or digital format

The Importance of a Correct DV Lottery Photo: What Happens if My DV Lottery Picture is Rejected?

Your DV Lottery entry faces immediate disqualification if the photo fails automated compliance checks. The E-DV system processes millions of entries algorithmically — no human reviews photos during initial submission. A non-compliant image renders your entire application invalid, regardless of eligibility or correct personal information.

Immediate Consequences

• Automatic disqualification: The entry is rejected from the lottery pool before the random selection draw. You receive no notification of disqualification at submission time — the system accepts uploads without instant validation.

• No appeal process: Photo-related disqualifications cannot be challenged. The strict technical standards leave no room for interpretation or manual override.

• Loss of application year: DV Lottery runs once annually. A rejected photo means waiting until the next registration period (typically October of the following year) to reapply.

• Forfeited application fee: While DV Lottery entry is free, any costs incurred for photo services, internet access, or preparation are not recoverable.

Why Rejections Often Go Unnoticed

The E-DV system generates a confirmation number upon successful upload, but this number only confirms receipt — not compliance. Millions of applicants discover disqualification only when they check results months later using their confirmation number, finding their entry was never valid.

Prevention

Use a DV Lottery photo checker like PhotoGov to ensure your picture meets all official standards before submitting your application. Automated validation tools verify dimensions, head size, background, compression, and file format against Department of State specifications — eliminating disqualification risk before entry.

Common Reasons for DV Lottery Photo Rejection

The Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) system automatically validates every uploaded photo against strict biometric standards. Even technically valid entries with non-compliant photos face disqualification. Below are the 12 most frequent errors that trigger automatic rejection during entry processing.

1. Incorrect dimensions or aspect ratio. The uploaded file is not perfectly square. Digital file measures smaller than 600 × 600 pixels or larger than 1200 × 1200 pixels. The head height falls outside the 50-69% range of total image height, or the eye level sits below 56% from the bottom edge. 

2. Improper background. The backdrop is not plain white or off-white. Textures, patterns, shadows, or color tints (grey, cream, blue, yellow) appear behind the applicant. The background shows walls, doors, or household objects.

3. Visible shadows. Shadows appear across the face, hairline, or background. Uneven lighting creates dark patches under the nose, chin, or around the ears. Shadows result from standing too close to the wall or using single-source lighting.

4. Expression violations. The applicant smiles, frowns, raises eyebrows, tilts the head, or opens the mouth. The face is not centered or squared to the camera. Children under one year may have neutral or slightly closed eyes, but older applicants must have both eyes open and clearly visible.

5. Facial obstructions. Hair covers the eyes, eyebrows, or hairline. Scarves, hats, or head coverings obscure facial contours (except for documented religious or medical reasons). Bangs, wisps, or stray hairs cross the eyeline.

6. Eyewear present. Glasses of any kind are worn — including prescription, reading, or tinted lenses. The DV Lottery system has zero tolerance for eyewear; medical exceptions do not apply for the initial entry photo.

7. Technical deficiencies. The image is blurry, grainy, pixelated, overexposed, or underexposed. Compression artifacts or heavy JPEG compression reduce clarity. The file is not in JPEG format, exceeds 240 KB, or has a color depth below 24 bits.

8. Expired image. The photograph was captured more than six months prior to the application date. Photos showing seasonal clothing, haircuts, or appearances that no longer match the applicant's current look are rejected.

9. Digital manipulations. Filters, beauty modes, portrait effects, red-eye removal, skin smoothing, teeth whitening, or background replacement have altered the natural appearance. Cropping, stretching, or resizing distorts original proportions or head-to-frame ratio.

10. Prohibited attire. Uniforms, camouflage, or attire resembling official government or military dress appear in the frame. Costumes, ethnic clothing used for ceremonial purposes, or outfits matching the background color cause rejection.

11. Excessive compression. The file size exceeds the 240 KB limit, or compression creates visible artifacts and quality loss. The image appears pixelated or shows compression bands across smooth background areas.

12. Foreign objects in child photos. Supporting hands, parents, toys, bottles, pacifiers, or other people appear in the frame. The child is not alone in the image, or the photograph shows someone holding the infant from the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Current DV Lottery Visa Photo Requirements to Make Sure My Picture is Accepted the First Time?

To ensure your photo passes the Electronic Diversity Visa system's automated validation, follow these mandatory specifications from the Department of State:​

• Format: JPEG (.jpg) only, square aspect ratio (height equals width)

• Dimensions: 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels

• File size: Maximum 240 KB

• Color depth: Minimum 24-bit sRGB color

• Head size: 50-69% of total image height, eye level 56-69% from bottom

• Background: Plain white or off-white, no shadows, patterns, or textures

• Recency: Taken within the last six months

• Expression: Neutral face, both eyes open, mouth closed

• Eyewear: No glasses of any kind permitted

• Digital integrity: No filters, cropping adjustments, or alterations to appearance

What Are the Exact DV Lottery Visa Photo Size, Background, and File Format Specifications?

DV lottery visa photo size: 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels (square aspect ratio required).

Background: Plain white or off-white only; no textures, shadows, patterns, or objects visible.

File specifications: JPEG format only, maximum 240 KB file size, minimum 24-bit sRGB color depth.

Head and face positioning: Head height must occupy 50-69% of total image height; eye level must sit 56-69% from the bottom edge of the frame.

Compression: Image must be sharp and clear, without visible compression artifacts or pixelation.

How to Check Photo Size for DV Lottery?

Use a trusted DV Lottery photo tool like PhotoGov. Simply upload your selfie to the platform, choose the United States as the country, and DV lottery as the document type — and our software will automatically adjust your image to the DV lottery photo size 600x600 pixels.

What Photos do I Need to Enter the DV Lottery?

Photos for the DV Lottery must be JPEG files with 600x600 pixels and a size of 240 kB maximum. The picture has to be taken in the last six months and have a white or off-white background. Keep your eyes open, mouth closed, and your face centered in the shot. Maintain a neutral expression — no smiling or frowning.

How can I check if my DV Lottery visa photo meets all official requirements before submitting?

Use PhotoGov's free DV lottery tool to upload and check your picture. It automatically resizes, crops, and checks the background to meet 100% official DV Lottery requirements.

How Recent Must my DV Photo Be?

It's crucial that your photo is taken within the past six months to accurately represent your current appearance. Out-of-date photos may lead to rejections during the application process.

How Many Times Can I Play the DV Lottery?

You can join the DV Lottery once a year. Multiple entries per year are not accepted. If you are turned down, you can try again the following year.

What Common DV Lottery Visa Photo Mistakes Cause Applications to Be Rejected, and How Can I Avoid Them?

The Electronic Diversity Visa system automatically disqualifies entries for technical non-compliance. Common errors include:

• Incorrect dimensions. Image is not square or falls outside the 600-1200 pixel range; head height is outside 50-69% of frame height.

• Non-compliant background. Background is not plain white or off-white; it contains shadows, textures, patterns, or color tints.

• Improper facial expression. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, or an open mouth; head tilted or not centered.

• Technical file errors. File exceeds 240 KB, is not JPEG format, or has color depth below 24 bits; image is blurry, pixelated, overexposed, or underexposed.

• Outdated photo. Image taken more than six months before the application date.

• Digital alterations. Filters, beauty modes, red-eye removal, or background replacement that changes natural appearance.

To avoid rejection, verify your photo against the official Department of State requirements at travel.state.gov, or use the DV visa photo maker PhotoGov to automatically validate dimensions, head size, background, and file format before submission.

What Are the DV Lottery Visa Photo Requirements for Glasses, Head Coverings, and Facial Expressions?

Glasses: Not permitted for DV Lottery photos — no exceptions, even with medical documentation. 

Head coverings: Only allowed for religious purposes and must not obscure facial features or cast shadows; daily religious attire is acceptable if documented. 

Facial expression: Neutral only — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Mouth must be closed and eyes open (children under one year may have neutral or slightly closed eyes).

Where Can I Find a DV Lottery Visa Photo Checklist to Verify That My Picture Will Not Be Disqualified?

The official Department of State website provides complete specifications at Travel.state.gov. Additionally, online tools like PhotoGov offer automated compliance checkers that validate dimensions, head size, background color, and file format against DV Lottery requirements before you submit your entry.​

Is My Smartphone Good Enough to Take a DV Lottery Visa Photo That Meets All Requirements, and How Should I Do It?

A modern smartphone is sufficient if it captures images at a minimum of 600 × 600 pixels with good lighting. Position the camera at eye level, use natural or diffused artificial light to eliminate shadows, and place the subject 4 feet from a plain white wall. The head should fill 50-69% of the frame. Do not use digital zoom, portrait mode, or filters. Transfer the file without compression or editing, and verify it meets the 240 KB maximum size limit.

Can I Reuse My Passport Photo for the DV Lottery Visa, or Are the Photo Requirements Different?

No. You cannot reuse a standard passport photo because DV Lottery specifications differ significantly. Passport photos measure 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) with a head size of 1-1⅜ inches, while DV Lottery photos require a square digital format of 600x600/1200x1200 pixels with a head height of 50-69% of the frame and eye level at 56-69% from the bottom. 

Additionally, DV Lottery files must be under 240 KB and submitted in JPEG format only. If your passport photo was taken within six months and you have the original high-resolution digital file, you can crop and resize it to DV specifications with an online passport photo maker like PhotoGov — but you cannot use it as is. It must be professionally reformatted to meet the distinct technical requirements.

Other Pages — United States ID Photos

Official Government Documentation Sources

Electronic Diversity Visa Website: DV Program State.Gov

DV Lottery Submission Page: The US Department of State — Travel 

DV Program Instructions: The US Department of State — Travel 

DV Lottery Photo Requirements Official Site: The US Department of State — Travel 

Official DV Lottery Digital Photo Requirements: The US Department of State — Travel 

DV Lottery Photo FAQ: The US Department of State — Travel

DV Lottery Photo Official Composition Example: The US Department of State — Travel

Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303