U.S. Department of State
US Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) photo requirements
The online Diversity Visa (DV) entry requires a digital photo with strict, precise specifications. Because the entry is rejected if the photo does not comply, it is worth getting exactly right before you submit.
The DV program requires exactly 600 × 600 pixels — square — as a JPEG of 240 KB or less. The tool below is pre-set to that rule so you can check and fix your photo in your browser.
The general US visa digital-image page allows a wider 600–1200 px square range — see our US visa portal page if you are preparing a DS-160 visa photo instead of a DV entry.
Official source: travel.state.gov — DV Program photograph requirements
Official source checked on 2026-07-08. This records when we compared our summary to the linked government page — not when the tool was QA-tested. Requirements can change; always confirm the current rules on the official page before you apply.
Reviewed by the ExactPic Editorial Team against the official source above. See how we verify requirements.
Specifications
- Dimensions
- Exactly 600 × 600 px (square)
- File format
- JPEG (.jpg)
- Maximum file size
- 240 KB
- Color
- Color, 24-bit sRGB
- Head size
- Chin to crown 50%–69% of image height (about 22–35 mm)
- Background
- Plain white or off-white
- Age of photo
- Taken within the last 6 months
Every value in this table is summarized from travel.state.gov — DV Program photograph requirements (U.S. Department of State), checked 2026-07-08. Confirm the current values on the official page before you apply.
Check and fix your photo
The tool below is set to the official digital limits. Drop your photo in to check it and download a version that fits.
The DV photo must be exactly 600 × 600 pixels and square. ExactPic checks the dimensions, aspect ratio, format, and 240 KB limit; a photo larger than 600 × 600 will be resized to 600 × 600 when you fix it.
Drop an image here, or click to browse
HEIC, JPG, PNG, WebP
- Auto-checked and fixable
- File size, pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, and file format.
- You must verify yourself
- Head size and position, background, lighting, expression, and colour profile — the tool cannot judge these.
Compliance note. This checks the DV digital-image dimensions, aspect ratio, format, and file size only. It does not judge head position, expression, lighting, background, or whether the DV system will accept your photo.
Reviewed by ExactPic editorial against the official source on 2026-07-08. Spotted something out of date or wrong? Report an incorrect requirement.
Step by step
Take or scan a compliant photo
Use a recent color photo on a plain white background, facing the camera with a neutral expression.
Crop to a square
The DV photo must be square. Crop to 1:1 with your head centered and the correct head height.
Check and fix below
Drop the photo into the pre-set checker to confirm the exact 600 × 600 size and 240 KB limit, then download.
Private by design. Any photo you check here is processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded. ExactPic is not affiliated with U.S. Department of State and does not guarantee acceptance — always follow the official guidance.
Source change log
- 2026-07-09 — Repointed the official source to the DV-specific photograph-requirements page (the generic Digital Image Requirements page lists the wider 600–1200 px range).
- 2026-07-08 — Tightened to the DV-specific exactly-600×600 rule (the generic 600–1200 px range belongs to the US visa digital-image page).
Other portals
Frequently asked questions
- What size is a DV lottery photo?
- A Diversity Visa (DV) photo must be exactly 600×600 pixels — square — saved as a JPEG of 240 KB or less.
- Can a DV photo be larger than 600×600 pixels?
- No. Unlike the general US visa photo, which allows up to 1200×1200 pixels, the DV entry requires exactly 600×600 pixels. A larger photo will be rejected.
- How do I make my DV photo the right size?
- Crop your photo to a square, then use the checker on this page to resize it to exactly 600×600 pixels and confirm it is under 240 KB before you submit your entry.
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How we verify requirements
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Official source checked: 2026-07-08