DV Lottery photo checker
Use our DV lottery photo checker to verify your Green Card photo in minutes.
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As a data-driven content creator and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Max has 5+ years of writing experience. Over the course of his career, Max's work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
Karolina is a seasoned legal expert with a Master of Law and legal advisor credentials, specializing in passport photo compliance. She ensures adherence to international standards set by entities like the US Department of State and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Equipped with her advocate license and extensive legal background, she brings a unique blend of legal acumen and technical knowledge. Her expertise is pivotal in navigating the intricate and rigorous standards set by key global authorities. Her approach, marked by meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of international law, ensures stringent adherence to the evolving passport and visa photo regulations worldwide.
DV Lottery photo: everything you need to know
The Diversity Visa (DV) program is a rare shot at securing permanent residency in the US.
But even a tiny slip-up in your photo can see your entry binned.
This guide lays out the official DV lottery photo rules, shows clear examples, and explains how you can use PhotoAiD®’s DV Lottery photo checker to make sure your picture stacks up before you apply.
DV Lottery photo requirements
To be accepted, your DV Lottery photo’s got to meet the official rules set by the US Department of State.
Here’s a quick rundown:
| Criterion | Official requirements |
|---|---|
| Dimensions and format | Square photo (1:1 ratio), 600×600 px, JPEG (.jpg) format, file size ≤ 240 KB |
| Recency | Taken within the past six months, showing your current look |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, free of shadows and patterns |
| Position and framing | Face forward, centred, eyes open, camera at eye level |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed; a slight smile without teeth is fine |
| Face proportions | Head must fill 50–69% of the photo’s height (around 25–35 mm on a 51×51 mm image) |
| Clothing | Everyday clothes. No uniforms (except daily religious wear). Avoid light tops that blend into the background |
| Prohibited accessories | Glasses (any type), hats or head coverings (unless daily religious wear without shadows), headphones, or visible accessories. Hearing aids worn daily are allowed |
| Image quality | Colour photo, sharp and well-lit. No filters or edits that change your appearance |
DV Lottery photo examples
It’s easier to see the difference between an accepted DV Lottery photo and one that’ll get knocked back when you look at real examples.
Here are some common cases to keep in mind:
Compliant photos
- Plain white background with no shadows
- Face centred and framed correctly
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- No glasses or head coverings
Non-compliant photos
- Shadows visible in the background
- Wrong expression, like a broad smile
- Disallowed accessories, such as glasses
- Poor lighting that casts shadows on the face
How to validate your DV Lottery photo with PhotoAiD®
PhotoAiD® (available as Passport Photo App on iOS and Passport Photo App on Android) blends AI checks with expert review so you can be sure your DV Lottery photo ticks every box set by the US Department of State.
Here’s how it works:
- Upload your photo
Start by uploading your image to the PhotoAiD® platform. - AI check
Our system runs a check in about 25 seconds to confirm your DV Lottery photo meets the key technical rules. - Expert verification
After the AI check, you can add a human review. One of our 20+ experts, available 24/7, will confirm your photo against the official DV Lottery standards—usually in under three minutes. - Download your compliant photo
Once approved, you’ll get a 600×600 px JPEG file ready to use. If your photo doesn’t pass, you’ll be asked to retake it, free of charge.
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 choose PhotoAiD®
- Free AI check: See straight away if your DV Lottery photo passes the basics before you pay.
- Expert assurance: Human review by one of 20+ trained experts gives you confidence your photo will be accepted.
- Compliance guarantee: If your photo is rejected by the US Department of State after one of our experts has confirmed it, you’ll get a full refund plus 100% extra.
- Unlimited retakes: Take as many shots as you like—you only pay when you’re happy with the result.
- 24/7 support: Customer service’s always on hand, even on weekends and public holidays.
- Trusted worldwide: Over a million users yearly, rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot, and featured by CNN, Forbes, and The New York Times.
- With PhotoAiD®, you can be confident your DV Lottery photo will pass official checks before you lodge your application.
How to take a compliant DV Lottery photo at home
If your current shot doesn’t meet the standards, no stress. You can snap a new one at home in minutes.
Just set up your space properly and stick to the appearance rules.
Your setup
- Lighting: Make sure your face is evenly lit with no shadows. Natural daylight works best, so stand facing a window if you can.
- Background: No need to worry—PhotoAiD®’s AI will replace your background with one that fits DV Lottery standards.
- Camera position: Keep the camera at eye level. If you’re taking a selfie, hold your phone about 50 cm away. If someone else is taking it, have them stand 1.5–2 metres back.
Your appearance
- Wear everyday clothes.
- Religious or medical head coverings are fine as long as your face stays fully visible.
- Glasses must be off. Only rare medical exemptions with a doctor’s signed statement are accepted. If allowed, lenses must be clear with no glare, and frames can’t block your eyes. No tinted lenses.
- No hats, sunnies, or face-covering accessories.
- Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. Face the camera straight on, with head and shoulders square and no tilt.
- Follow these steps, and you’ll have a fresh DV Lottery photo that meets all the rules.
Why people choose us for DV Lottery photos
‘Quick and easy to use. Made applying for my green card lottery go smoothly. The additional picture verification is really helpful.’
Yinka Shoge (UK) - View full review on Trustpilot
‘Everthing was so fine and done quickly. Im really glad to use the Application because i need it for the Green Card lottery. In Photo Studio you pay a lot and your gonna wasting time. By this App all those negative Aspects onmitted.’
customer (DE) - View full review on Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
Use the DV Lottery photo checker from PhotoAiD®. The AI reviews the technical bits instantly, and you can add a human expert review for complete peace of mind before you submit.
Your DV Lottery photo must be square, 600×600 px.
Photos are rejected if they don’t follow the official rules—wrong background, shadows, glasses, head coverings, or bad lighting. Blurry, overexposed, underexposed, or outdated shots are also knocked back.
The photo must be square (600×600 px), in JPEG format, and under 240 KB. It has to have been taken within the past six months on a plain white or off-white background, with a neutral expression, no glasses, and a head size covering 50–69% of the image height.
No. Each DV Lottery entry needs a new photo taken within the past six months. Reusing an old one risks automatic disqualification.
Only a neutral look is accepted. A slight smile without teeth may pass, but big grins or visible teeth can cause rejection.
Use a phone or camera in good lighting. Keep your face centred, eyes open, mouth closed, and don’t wear glasses or head coverings unless it’s for daily religious use. For safety, upload your shot to PhotoAiD® to check it first.
Wear everyday clothes in darker colours to contrast with the light background. Uniforms aren’t allowed, and very light clothing should be avoided since it can blend into the background.
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