Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Photo Requirements

What are the photo requirements for DV lottery?

For the DV Lottery, applicants must upload a recent photo of themselves and all their derivatives (spouse and children). Derivatives are those people that you include in your DV process as the DV principal applicant.

DV entry photos must be of the same quality and composition as U.S. visa photos.  You can see examples of acceptable and not acceptable photos here.

Are you allowed to use the Green Card Photo from previous DV Lottery Application?

Do not use images from the previous DV Lottery year. The U.S authorities take a close look at the photo. Registering with an old picture will lead to your disqualification.

Do not submit a photograph older than six months or a photograph that does not meet all of the standards described below.  Submitting the same photograph that  you submitted with a prior year’s entry, a photograph that has been manipulated, or a photograph that does not meet the specifications below will make you ineligible for a DV.

Photo Requirements for DV Lottery

Your photos or digital images must be: 

In color
In focus
Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50 percent and 69 percent of the image’s total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.  View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
Taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance
Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose.  Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
Do not wear eyeglasses.

Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable. Review the Photo Examples to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos.

Also, for entering the Diversity Visa (DV) Program online, you must upload your digital image as part of your entry. Your digital image must be:

In JPEG (.jpg) file format
Equal to or less than 240 kB (kilobytes) in file size
In a square aspect ratio (height must equal width)
600×600 pixels in dimension

You want to scan an existing photo?  In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:

2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter)

Taking photos of your baby or toddler

When taking a photo of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo, and your child should be looking at the camera with his or her eyes open.

Tip 1: Lay your baby on his or her back on a plain white or off-white sheet. This will ensure your baby’s head is supported and provide a plain background for the photo. Make certain there are no shadows on your baby’s face, especially if you take a picture from above with the baby lying down.
Tip 2: Cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and take a picture of your child in the car seat. This will also ensure your baby’s head is supported.

Examples of Acceptable DV Lottery Photo

Examples of not acceptable DV Lottery Photo

Your photo is a vital part of your visa application.

Eligibility for DV lottery 2025

DV2025 applicants must be native of a Qualifying Country to Enter the Green Card Lottery.

1. LIST OF COUNTRIES/AREAS BY REGION WHOSE NATIVES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DV-2025

For DV-2025, natives of the following countries and areas are eligible to apply…..view list

2. LIST OF COUNTRIES/AREAS BY REGION WHOSE NATIVES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DV-2025

For DV-2025, natives of the following countries and areas are not eligible to apply…..view list

Proceed to Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2025 entry period and other procedures>>>

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DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any Diversity Visa and is not the official site for DV Lottery program. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice.