America DV Lottery Photo Requirements

Discover the photo requirements for the America DV lottery and learn how to crop your digital image for an online application. Your photo or digital image is a vital part of your visa application.

Follow the comprehensive guide to learn how to check DV-2025 and DV-2024 Entrant Status.

Table of Contents

Submitting a Digital Photograph

You can take a new digital photograph or scan a recent (taken within the last six months) photograph with a digital scanner if it meets all of the DV standards. DV entry photos must be of the same quality and composition as U.S. visa photos. You can see examples of acceptable photos here. Do not submit a photograph older than six months or a photograph that does not meet all the standards described below.

Photo Requirements for America DV VISA Lottery Online Application

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 may make you ineligible for a DV.

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.
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.
If you normally wear a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.

Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable.  In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low-quality vending machines, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.

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

Do 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)

Best Sample for America DV Lottery Photo for Application

Review the examples below to learn how your DV lottery photo or digital image should look. Use a professional photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.

Source: https://travel.state.gov/

The acceptance of your photo or digital image is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.

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.