DV Lottery Photo Tool [+Human Expert Check]

Use our DV lottery photo checker to verify your Green Card photo in minutes.

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DV Lottery Photo Tool [+Human Expert Check]

3-minute passport photo

Take your picture at home. No driving or waiting in line

Professional service

AI technology + passport photo experts = instant feedback

100% compliance

Acceptance or a double money-back guarantee

How do our mobile and web apps work?

Snap the perfect passport photo in under 3 minutes!

Find out just how simple it can be!

Take or upload a photo

Use a photo you already have or take a new one. We'll double-check it and make sure it passes all compliance tests.

Get your photo tuned-up by AI

Our AI system will crop, resize, and adjust the background of your image.

Get expert verification

One of our experts will carefully review your passport photo, providing you with feedback in under a minute!

Why Use Our Green Card Lottery Photo Checker?

Get comfy at home, grab your phone, and snap a few pictures. End up with a result you’re 100% satisfied with!

Take a passport photo with only your smartphone

Independence

No need to drive or wait in line. Take a photo wherever you are with only your smartphone.

Trusted service

Over a million users worldwide, 18 million photos processed, and thousands of 5-star reviews on TrustPilot.

Professional support

Questions or doubts about your photos? Our photography experts and support agents will be happy to help you out.

Acceptance guarantee

Once you place your order, our AI and human expert will verify your photo to ensure it's 100% compliant.

DV Lottery Photo Requirements

Size

2x2 in

Resolution

301 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Is it printable?

Yes

Background Color

White

Image definition parameters

Head height: 1.29 in

Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in

Last update: 1/8/2025

Written by

Vule Petrovic

Reviewed by

Karolina Młodzka

Expert verified

DV Lottery: Photo Requirements & Online Photo Checker

Dreaming of a life in the United States?

You're not alone.

Every year, over 11 million hopefuls apply for the DV Lottery, eyeing one of the 55,000 immigrant visas.

But—

Before the Statue of Liberty welcomes you with open arms, you need to get that DV Lottery photo right.

Let's discuss all the official picture requirements and how to verify your image with our online Green Card photo check.

Green Card Lottery Photo Requirements

First impressions count, especially when it's a photo that could change your life.

So—

Let's break down the essentials:

General Photo Guidelines

Freshness: Your photo should be recent, taken within the last 6 months
Reusability: Never use an image from a prior year's entry or pictures from other official documents
Manipulation: Any photo alterations or manipulations will disqualify you

Photo Composition

Color: Photos must be in color
Focus: Ensure your photo is in focus
Size: 2x2 photo. The head should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 and 35 mm) or occupy 50–69% of the image's height
Background: Opt for a plain white or off-white backdrop
Position: A full-face view, directly facing the camera
Expression: Keep a neutral facial expression with both eyes open
Attire: Wear your daily clothing. Avoid uniforms, except for daily-worn religious attire
Head coverings: Hats or head coverings that hide the hair or hairline are a no-go unless it's for religious reasons. Ensure no shadows fall on your face
Accessories: No headphones, wireless devices, or eyeglasses. Hearing devices or similar are acceptable if worn regularly

Digital Image Specifications

Format: JPEG (.jpg) file
File size: Must be 240 kB or less
Dimensions: A square aspect ratio, 600x600 pixels

Scanning: If scanning an existing photo, it should be 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) and scanned at 300 pixels per inch

DV Photo Checker

Let's be honest:

The myriad of photo requirements for the DV lottery can be dizzying.

It’s like setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July: one dud and the whole show loses its sparkle.

But—

Fear not.

We've created a handy Google Sheets checklist to help you ensure every aspect of your photo is on point.

If manually ticking off boxes isn’t your cup of tea, that’s OK.

Our diversity visa photo checker can run all the checks for you, ensuring your photo is up to the mark. It uses AI to verify (among others):

Is your image properly exposed?
Are your eyes open?
Is your mouth closed?
Are there any unwanted shadows?

It’s like having a friend who knows all about DV lottery picture requirements and giving your photo a once-over.

Plus, it’s not just technology doing the work.

An actual human will also review your photo to ensure it's 100% compliant. If something is off, they'll guide you to re-take the image at no extra cost.

Sounds too good to be true?

PhotoAiD isn’t new to the game. We’ve helped 1+ million users worldwide and processed over 18 million photos, earning thousands of 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Now—

If you don’t have a DV lottery photo yet, no worries. Up next, we'll explain how to capture that perfect shot from the comfort of your home using our Green Card lottery photo tool.

DV Photo Tool

Let's now get down to the nitty-gritty of our DV lottery photo editor.

Think of it as a pocket-sized expert that can help you snap the perfect photo with your smartphone.

Here's how to check a photo for the DV lottery:

Grab your phone, set it on a tripod, or get a friend to help. Dress as per the guidelines and take a photo.
Upload the photo.
Our DV lottery photo tool will crop, resize, and adjust the background of your photograph.
One of our experts will review your photo and provide feedback in under 60 seconds.
Get your image.

Done and dusted.

Plus—

If you're more of a DIY enthusiast and want to craft that perfect shot yourself, PhotoAiD has got you covered.

We have a suite of free tools you may want to try, including:

Sources:

https://dvprogram.state.gov/

Discover other documents we support

Walgreens Passport Photo

Walmart Passport Photo

CVS Passport Photo

Real ID

Digital Passport Photo

Rite Aid Passport Photo

USCIS Photos

ISIC - International Student Identity Card

Photo 2x2 Inches (51x51 Millimetres)

Show more documents

Frequently asked questions

The correct DV lottery photo size is 2x2 inches (51x51 mm).

The DV-2026 lottery registration opens on October 2, 2024, at 12:00 pm EDT and closes on November 7, 2024, at 12:00 pm EST.

To apply for the DV lottery, submit your entry via the E-DV site during the registration period.

Yes, you must list all living, unmarried children under 21, including natural, legally adopted, and stepchildren. This applies even if you’re no longer married to their parent. You must also include your spouse unless legally separated. Missing this information can disqualify your entry.

Countries with low immigration rates to the US can apply. The following are ineligible because over 50,000 of their natives immigrated to the US in the past five years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), Venezuela, and Vietnam.

It’s best to submit your application yourself. If someone helps, stay involved and keep your confirmation number. Don’t let others hold it. Some may charge money or misuse it.

It’s the only way to check your status. Without it, you won’t know if you’ve been selected. Store it safely, and don’t share it.

Starting May 3, 2025, go to dvprogram.state.gov. Click on Entrant Status Check and enter your confirmation number and details. This is the only way to see if you’ve been selected.