DV Lottery photo requirements
The complete published list from the U.S. Department of State’s “Digital Image Requirements” — the same rules the DV checker measures against. The Diversity Visa entry photo is a file specification first: a photo that looks perfect can still be rejected by the entry system for the wrong pixel count.
We measure, we don’t certify. IDPhotoCheck checks your photo against the published measurements — the issuing authority makes the final decision, and no tool can promise approval.
The requirements
| Pixel dimensions | Exactly 600×600 px |
|---|---|
| Head height | Head 50–69% of the image height |
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or less |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background |
Source: U.S. Department of State — Digital Image Requirements — Diversity Visa section (travel.state.gov) (official page). Values checked 2026-11-08. If the official page and this table ever disagree, the official page wins — please tell us.
The State Department also requires: the photo taken within the last 6 months; the applicant facing the camera directly with a neutral expression and both eyes open; no glasses; no head covering except for religious reasons; and the whole head — top of hair to bottom of chin — inside the frame. Entries are disqualified for non-compliant photos, which is why the measurement matters.
The three DV file mistakes
- Wrong pixels. 600×600 means exactly that. A 601×600 or 600×599 file is a different file. The checker’s export produces the exact dimensions.
- Over 240 KB. Modern phone photos are megabytes. The export compresses under the ceiling — and shows you the achieved size, not an estimate.
- An edited photo. The DV rules require your original photo. Background-replacement services are a disqualification risk; this tool refuses to edit and tells you how to retake instead.
The original-photo rule
The State Department’s digital image rules are built around one idea: the file you submit must be your original, unedited photograph. So this site measures, crops and compresses — and refuses background replacement and retouching, for DV entries as for every US document. Our no-edit policy explains the rule and the reasoning.
Questions
What are the DV Lottery photo requirements?
From the State Department’s Digital Image Requirements: a square JPEG image, 600 × 600 pixels, 240 KB or less, with the head measuring 50–69% of the image height, on a plain white or off-white background.
Can I use my passport photo for the DV entry?
Only if the file itself meets the DV digital rules — exactly 600×600 px and ≤240 KB. A print scan rarely does. The export here produces the exact DV file from your photo.
Does passing this checker mean my entry is valid?
No. It means the photo measures within the published photo rules we check. Entry validity also depends on the entry form itself and the State Department’s own validation — and a photo that passes measurement can still be refused on sight by an officer.
Ready to measure yours? The DV Lottery photo checker runs this whole list against your photo and your file.