Diversity Visa Photo Requirements & Checker

Before entering the DV lottery, test your image using the validator above. The system verifies that your image meets the exact 600 × 600 pixel square dimension, confirms JPEG format, checks that the file size is 240 KB or under, and validates that the head occupies 50% to 69% of total height.

A DV entry digital image must have equal width and height. The required dimensions are exactly 600 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. If you scan an existing physical photo, it must be a 2 × 2 inch photograph scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (300 DPI), which produces an image precisely 600 × 600 pixels.

• •Format: Strictly JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) with .jpg or .jpeg file extension.
• •File Size: Must be less than or equal to 240 kilobytes (245,760 bytes).
• •Color: Must be in color (24 bits per pixel in sRGB color space). Black and white or grayscale images are disqualified.
• •Compression: The image should be compressed to meet the 240 KB threshold without producing visible JPEG compression blockiness.

The head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin must measure between 300 pixels and 414 pixels (50% to 69% of the 600-pixel vertical height). The eye height must be between 336 pixels and 414 pixels (56% to 69%) from the bottom frame line. Both eyes must be open, level, and looking directly into the camera.

The Department of State explicitly warns that entering a photograph used in a previous year’s DV program will result in automatic disqualification. Facial recognition software compares newly submitted entries against historical databases. Always take a fresh photograph within 6 months of entering.

The 600 × 600 pixel image is required during the online lottery entry phase (E-DV). If you are selected in the lottery and attend an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you will be required to present two identical physical 2 × 2 inch prints meeting standard DS-260 consular interview criteria.