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United States DV lottery — photo requirements
600×600 px · 50–69% · white or off-white · JPEG · ≤240 KB
Click or drop your photo
JPG / PNG · processed on your device only
Background replacement only — facial features are never altered. Some authorities (US State Dept, UK HMPO, Canada IRCC) require unedited photos; check your destination's rules and prefer a real plain background when possible.
Align the top of the head between the guide lines (50–69% of the frame).
Requirements at a glance
| Size in pixels | 600 × 600 px (300 DPI) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–69% |
| Background | white or off-white |
| Format | JPEG, ≤ 240 KB |
| Checked | 2026-10-26 · Official source ↗ |
The DV lottery entry form rejects photos that fail the automated checks: exactly square,
between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels, JPEG, and at most 240 KB. The head must be
50-69 percent of the image height. Photos older than six months are invalid. Group
photos, hats and tinted glasses are rejected outright. If your entry photo fails, the
system discards the entry without a refund of the effort, so check the file size before
submitting. The DV entry window opens in October each year and the photo is the number-
one technical rejection cause - a failed photo discards the whole entry. Crop with the
head centered horizontally, eyes on the upper third of the frame, and double-check that
nothing is clipped: the automated validator measures the head box, not the image border.
Do not submit a scan of a printed photo; scanning introduces moire patterns that fail.
If you wear a religious head covering daily, it is allowed, but the face from chin to
crown must be fully visible with no shadow. Save the exact file you submitted; if you
are selected, the interview photo must match. Families should prepare all photos before
starting the online entry, because the form has a 60-minute inactivity limit.
Frequently asked questions
What file size does the DV lottery accept?
JPEG, at most 240 KB. The upload form performs a technical scan first; if the size or ratio is wrong it refuses the file before any human review.
Can I reuse my old DV photo?
No. The photo must have been taken within the last six months of the entry submission.
Do dependents need their own photos?
Yes, every family member listed on the entry, including children, needs an individual qualifying photo.