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DV Assist

US Diversity Visa photo requirements: size, format and rules

How to prepare an accepted DV lottery photo: dimensions in pixels, file size, head size, background, and the photo mistakes that get entries rejected.

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Technical specifications

The photo is one of the main reasons entries are disqualified. These are the core rules we check for you:

  • Format: JPEG only.
  • Dimensions: a square image between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels.
  • File size: no more than 240 KB.
  • Colour: a colour photo (not black and white).

Face position and size

The full face must look straight into the camera. From the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, the head must fill between 50% and 69% of the image height, and the eyes must sit between 56% and 69% of the image height measured from the bottom.

A neutral expression with the mouth closed is safer than a wide smile, with both eyes open and clearly visible.

Background and lighting

Use a plain white or light background with no shadows, patterns or people behind you. Light your face evenly from the front, without strong shadows or glare.

Do not use beauty filters or photo editors; they can change your features and get the photo rejected.

What to avoid

The most common photo mistakes:

  • Prescription or sunglasses.
  • Head coverings that hide the forehead or hairline, except for religious reasons and only if the whole face stays visible.
  • An old photo, or one taken from a screen or a printed picture.
  • A photo taken more than six months ago.

How to be sure your photo is accepted

Check your photo for free, without an account, with the photo checker on this site. Upload it and we tell you which rules pass and offer an automatic fix (crop and resize) when needed.

The photo is processed only to check it, and for visitors without an account it is deleted shortly after.

Questions and answers

Can I use my passport photo?

You can use a photo taken specifically to the rules above. Do not photograph your passport page, and do not use an old or scanned picture.

What if my photo is larger than 240 KB?

Compress it or lower the quality slightly while keeping the face clear. Our checker tries this automatically.

Does everyone in the family need a photo?

Yes. Every person listed in the entry, including the spouse and children, needs their own photo that meets the rules.

Important notice, in plain words

Please read these facts before you start, so you can decide with full information.

  • This website is an independent private service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the US Government or the US Department of State.

  • The official entry on dvprogram.state.gov costs a $1 US government fee (non-refundable). You can enter yourself directly on the official website and pay only that $1.

  • Our 5.000 JOD fee covers only the help and submitting the entry on your behalf. The $1 government fee is passed through: we pay it for you when we submit and collect it from you, so you pay one total of 5.710 JOD.

  • Nobody, including us, can increase your chance of winning. The selection is entirely random.

  • Only one entry per person per year is allowed. Duplicate entries get you disqualified.

  • Results are published only on the official website. With the confirmation number we give you, you check them yourself.

dvprogram.state.gov — the official DV program website