DV Lottery & Green Card Photo Requirements 2026
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery — commonly called the Green Card Lottery — has very specific photo requirements. A non-compliant photo will get your entry disqualified, with no opportunity to resubmit. This guide covers both the DV Lottery digital photo and USCIS form photo requirements.
DV-2027 Lottery Photo Requirements (Digital)
The DV Lottery is entered entirely online through the Electronic Diversity Visa (eDV) system. The photo is digital — no printing required.
Technical Specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| Minimum dimensions | 600×600 pixels |
| Maximum dimensions | 1200×1200 pixels |
| File size | Under 240 KB |
| Color | Full color |
| Aspect ratio | Square (1:1) |
Composition Requirements
- Background: Plain white or off-white
- Face: Must occupy 50–69% of the total image height
- Head position: Facing camera directly, no tilt
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
- Eyes: Open, looking directly at camera
- Glasses: Not allowed (as of 2016 State Department policy)
- Head coverings: Only for daily religious practice, full face visible
- Photo recency: Taken within the last 6 months
Common Reasons for DV Lottery Photo Disqualification
- File size over 240 KB — the system rejects oversized files
- Non-square dimensions — must be square (1:1 ratio)
- Glasses — not allowed
- Dark or colored background — must be white or off-white
- Face too small or too large — must occupy 50–69% of image height
- Photo over 6 months old — must be recent
- Low resolution — must be at least 600×600 px
- Wrong format — must be JPEG, not PNG or HEIC
How to Prepare Your DV Lottery Photo
- Take a photo using a smartphone or camera against a white wall
- Upload to our tool — it will:
- Resize to exactly 600×600 pixels
- Ensure face fills 50–69% of frame
- Clean background to pure white
- Export as a compliant JPEG under 240 KB
USCIS Form Photo Requirements
Once you win the DV Lottery (or for other immigration processes), you'll need printed photos for various USCIS forms.
Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status — Green Card)
- Quantity: 2 identical photos
- Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) — printed
- Background: White or off-white
- Labeling: Write your full name and A-Number (if known) lightly in pencil on the back of each photo
- Stapling: Do NOT staple — use a paper clip or place in an envelope attached to the form
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Quantity: 2 photos of the petitioner (US citizen/PR) and 2 of the beneficiary
- Size: 2×2 inches printed
- Same composition requirements as I-485
Form I-131 (Travel Document)
- Quantity: 2 photos
- Size: 2×2 inches printed
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Photo (After DV Lottery Win)
After being selected and invited to apply for an immigrant visa:
- Format: Uploaded digitally via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC)
- Same specs as DV Lottery photo — 600–1200 px, JPEG, under 240 KB, white background
- Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months of submission
Tips for Success
- Use a dedicated passport photo tool — don't guess at pixel dimensions and file sizes
- Check file size before uploading — compress to under 240 KB if needed
- Take the photo the same day you register — ensures recency compliance
- One photo, many uses — a compliant digital photo can be resized for the DV Lottery and also used for DS-260. Just make sure it's still under 6 months old when you submit DS-260.