DV Lottery photo requirements
Everything the green card lottery photo must meet — 600×600 px, 240 KB, white background, no glasses — plus the mistakes that disqualify entries.
Quick answer: a recent color JPEG, exactly 600 × 600 pixels, under 240 KB, on a plain white background, head 50%–69% of the height, eyes 56%–69% up from the bottom, no glasses — and a separate photo for your spouse and every child you list.
Entry status (checked November 2, 2026): the DV Lottery is not accepting entries. The next entry period (DV-2027) hasn’t opened yet and no dates have been posted on dvprogram.state.gov. When it opens, it usually runs for about a month — get your family’s photos ready now.
In the Diversity Visa Lottery, the photo is not a formality. If any photo on your entry breaks the rules, the State Department can disqualify the whole entry — even after you’ve been selected. There’s no chance to fix it until the next year. Here is exactly what the photo needs, and how to get it right from home.
The official photo requirements
| Size | 600 × 600 pixels, square |
|---|---|
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or smaller, in color |
| Head height | 50%–69% of the image (chin to top of hair) |
| Eye height | 56%–69% of the image, measured from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months — never last year’s entry photo |
| Editing | Not allowed — no filters, retouching or manipulation |
Who needs a photo
You, your spouse, and each child you list on the entry all need their own photo that meets these rules. Leaving out a photo for someone you list is one of the most common reasons entries are disqualified. A spouse or child who is already a U.S. citizen or green card holder does not need a photo.
That means a family of four needs four separate, compliant photos — taken recently, one person per photo.
How to take a DV Lottery photo at home
- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall. This is the most important step — it means the background doesn’t need any editing.
- Face a window. Soft daylight on your face, no strong shadows on one side, no light behind you.
- Ask someone else to take it from about 1.2 m (4 ft) away, phone at your eye level. Close-up selfies distort your face.
- Remove glasses, hats and headphones. Keep hair away from your eyes. Head coverings worn daily for religious reasons are fine if your face is fully visible.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking straight into the lens.
- Size and check it. Upload it to our DV Lottery photo maker. It crops to exactly 600 × 600, places your head and eyes inside the official bands, keeps the file under 240 KB and runs 12 checks — before you pay anything.
Mistakes that get DV entries disqualified
- Reusing an old photo — including the one from your previous DV entry.
- A missing photo for a spouse or child you listed.
- Glasses, including clear ones.
- Edited images — beauty filters, retouching, or heavy changes.
- Wrong size or file too large — anything other than 600 × 600, or over 240 KB.
- Head too small or too big — usually from cropping by hand.
- Shadows, dark photos or a colored wall behind you.
About the background
The DV rules don’t allow manipulated photos. Our tool is built around that: it only replaces the background when your original fails the white-background check, and you can always switch replacement off. For the safest entry, take the photo against a plain white wall so no change is needed at all.
Other entry changes to know about
- Passport scan: under a 2026 State Department rule, entries now also require an upload of the entrant’s valid passport — a separate file from the photo.
- Small registration fee: recent cycles added a nominal entry fee paid on the official site.
- Dates move: entry periods traditionally opened in early October for about a month — the last one, DV-2026, ran October 2 – November 7, 2024. The DV-2027 period has been delayed; watch dvprogram.state.gov for the announcement.
Avoid scams: the only place to enter is dvprogram.state.gov. The State Department never emails or texts you to say you won — results are only shown on that site with your confirmation number. Keep your confirmation number safe.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the DV Lottery photo?
A square color JPEG of exactly 600 × 600 pixels, no larger than 240 KB, with your head filling 50%–69% of the height.
Can I use the same photo as last year?
No. Reusing a photo from a previous year’s entry makes the entry ineligible. Take a new photo — it must be from the last six months.
Can I wear glasses in my DV Lottery photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in U.S. visa photos, including the DV Lottery, except in rare medical cases with a signed medical statement.
Does my baby need a photo?
Yes. Every child you list needs their own photo that meets the same rules. A spouse or child who is already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident does not need one.
Can I edit the background of my DV photo?
The rules forbid manipulated or altered photos. The safest choice is to take the photo in front of a plain white or off-white wall so nothing needs changing. Our tool only replaces a background when the original fails the white-background check, and you can switch replacement off.
Is the DV Lottery open right now?
No. When we checked on November 2, 2026, the official site dvprogram.state.gov said entries are not being accepted. The last completed entry period was DV-2026 (October 2 – November 7, 2024); the DV-2027 entry period has not opened yet and no new dates have been posted. Prepare your photos now so you’re ready when it opens.
Sources: U.S. Department of State – DV Instructions (photo section) · U.S. Department of State – Visa Photo Requirements · Official DV entry site · National Law Review – passport requirement final rule. PhotoForUSA is an independent service, not affiliated with any government. Rules can change — always confirm on the official site before you apply.