US DV Lottery Photo Online

51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa)

$8.99 digital file

Take my US DV Lottery photo

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa) on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

The US DV Lottery Photo goes in with your online entry to the U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa) programme at dvprogram.state.gov, and a photo outside the rules can disqualify the entry. The file must be a square JPEG of exactly 600 by 600 pixels and no larger than 240 KB. Use a white or off-white background, face the camera and keep both eyes open. Glasses have not been allowed since November 2016 unless a doctor confirms a medical need. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. The photo must have been taken in the last six months.

Photo requirements

US DV Lottery photo requirements
Photo size51 × 51 mm
Digital fileJPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DV Lottery entry form (dvprogram.state.gov)
Backgroundwhite, also accepted: off-white
Head size50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesNot allowed
Head coveringsAllowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rulesNeutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open, mouth closed; Face the camera directly, full face in view; Plain white or off-white background, no shadows; Taken within the last 6 months; No uniforms or camouflage; no headphones or wireless devices; No filters, retouching or alterations

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background
Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing
No smiling with teeth showing
Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is wearing glasses
No glasses
Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background
No shadows on the face or background
Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side
Do not tilt your head

How it works

  1. 1. Take or upload a photo

    Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.

  2. 2. We size and check it

    We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.

  3. 3. Download and use it

    Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about US DV Lottery photos

What size is a US DV Lottery photo?

US DV Lottery photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a US DV Lottery photo need?

A plain white background (off-white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a US DV Lottery photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in US DV Lottery photos. Glasses are not allowed since November 2016, except for medical reasons with a signed doctor's statement.

Can I smile in a US DV Lottery photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.

Can I take a US DV Lottery photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

What file does the online application need?

A digital photo file: JPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DV Lottery entry form (dvprogram.state.gov). Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a US DV Lottery photo cost in the US?

$8.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.

What if something is wrong with my photo?

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Official source: U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa)

Read the rules on the authority's website: U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa) (travel.state.gov).

Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State (Diversity Visa) on 12 October 2026.

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