DV Lottery photo requirements
The U.S. Department of State rejects entries with photos that don't meet these rules. Here is the full checklist, based on the official photo template.
File
- Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- Dimensions: 600 × 600 pixels (square)
- File size: 240 KB or less
- Color depth: 24-bit color (no black-and-white)
- No digital filters or retouching
Composition
- Head height (top of hair to chin): 50–69% of the image height (300–414 px)
- Eye height: 56–69% of the image height from the bottom (336–414 px)
- Full face, centered, facing the camera directly
- Plain white or off-white background, no shadows or patterns
Appearance
- Neutral facial expression, both eyes open
- No eyeglasses (since 2016)
- No hats or head coverings, except religious ones worn daily; the face must not be covered
- No headphones or wireless devices
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Not the same photo as in a previous year's entry
Requirements may be updated each program year. Always confirm with the official instructions at travel.state.gov before submitting.
How to take a good photo at home
- Stand 0.5–1 m in front of a plain white or light wall.
- Face a window: soft daylight from the front, no shadows.
- Ask someone to take the photo from 1–1.5 m at eye level. No selfies — they distort the face.
- Take off glasses, hat and headphones. Hair should not cover your eyes.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, look into the lens.
- Wear normal clothes that contrast with the white background.