DV Lottery Photo Requirements (Diversity Visa)
The Diversity Visa Lottery (often called the "Green Card Lottery") uses an entirely electronic submission at dvprogram.state.gov. The required photo is a square JPEG that meets U.S. State Department biometric standards. Photo-Visa.Online auto-validates against the official DV photo checker tool before you pay — so you don't waste your one annual entry on a rejected photo.
Technical Specifications
- Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- Aspect ratio: square (1:1)
- Minimum dimensions: 600×600 pixels
- Exact dimensions: 600×600 pixels
- Maximum file size: 240 KB
- Color depth: 24-bit color (not grayscale, not 8-bit)
- Background: plain white or off-white, no patterns
- Head height: 50–69% of total image height
- Eye level: 56–69% from bottom of image
- Taken within the last 6 months
Why DV Lottery Photos Are Rejected
The DV Program uses an automated photo validator before allowing submission. The most common rejection reasons:
- File size over 240 KB — Photo-Visa.Online compresses without quality loss
- Wrong aspect ratio — must be exactly square
- Resolution too low (under 600×600 px)
- Background not uniform white
- Head too small or too large in the frame
- Eyeglasses (banned)
- Photo too old (over 6 months)
One Photo Per Person, One Entry Per Year
Each DV Lottery entry requires individual photos for the principal applicant, spouse, and every unmarried child under 21 — even if they are not immigrating. Submitting an entry with a non-compliant photo will disqualify the entire family entry. Photo-Visa.Online lets you upload and validate multiple photos in one session.
How to Take a DV Lottery Photo at Home
- Stand against a plain white wall in soft, even light.
- Have someone take the photo at eye level from 4–5 feet away (or use a self-timer). Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed.
- Upload to Photo-Visa.Online and select DV Lottery Photo.
- Receive a 600×600 px JPEG, validated and compressed under 240 KB — ready to upload to dvprogram.state.gov.
DV-2027 Registration Period
The DV-2027 entry period typically runs from early October through early November 2026. Entries are free at dvprogram.state.gov — beware of paid services that claim to "submit your entry." Photo-Visa.Online does not submit entries; we only deliver the compliant photo file.
