DV lottery photo requirements
The Diversity Visa (DV, green card lottery) entry needs a recent digital photo of each person on the entry. Here is what the U.S. Department of State publishes about its size, framing and background, and the file BrainDV prepares.
Acceptance is decided by the authority
BrainDV follows the published requirements as we read them, but only the relevant authority decides whether a photo is accepted. Requirements can change. Always read the source pages before you submit.
DV photo size and file format
- Size of the BrainDV export
- 600 × 600 pixels
- Side length stated by the source
- 600 to 600 pixels
- Format
- JPEG
- Maximum file size
- 240 kB
Head size, eye position and background
- Head height (chin to top of head)
- 50% to 69% of image height
- Eye height, measured from the bottom edge
- 56% to 69% of image height
- Background
- Plain white or off-white
- Eyeglasses
- Not allowed
- Religious head covering
- Allowed for religious reasons, as described by the source; the full face must be visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
How to take this photo with your phone
- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall with nothing behind you.
- Face soft, even light, such as a window in daylight, so there are no shadows on your face or the background.
- Take off eyeglasses. Remove hats and head coverings unless you wear them for religious reasons; your full face must be visible.
- Look straight at the camera with both eyes open and your head level.
- Ask someone to take the photo from a few steps away with the phone at eye level, instead of an arm's-length selfie.
- Use a new photo taken in the last 6 months, with no filters, beauty modes or edits.
Intended use
Digital photo uploaded with an electronic Diversity Visa (DV) lottery entry.
Known limitations
- The DV-2026 instructions state exactly 600x600 px; the visa composition template accepts 600 to 1200 px. Output uses 600x600, which satisfies both.
- 240 kB is read as 240 x 1024 bytes; confirm the authority's kB definition at next review. Encoder targets a 5% safety margin.
- Eye height range comes from the visa composition template, not the DV instructions.
- Instructions for the current DV program year have not been re-checked against the DV-2026 text.
Sources
Authority: U.S. Department of State
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2026-Instructions-Translations/DV%202026%20Plain%20Language%20Instructions%20and%20FAQs.pdf
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-composition-template.html
Sources retrieved on October 17, 2026
This profile has not yet been reviewed by a person against its sources. Next review due January 17, 2027.
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