A DV lottery entry can be disqualified for a bad photo, and software checks the image before a person looks at it.
Checklist
- Square JPEG, 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels.
- 240 KB or smaller.
- Colour, plain background, no shadows.
- Head about 50 to 69 percent of the image height.
- A separate photo for every family member on the entry.
- No filters, retouching or photographs of printed photos.
Rules and dates are published each program year by the State Department, so read the current instructions before you submit.
Prepare the file with the DV lottery photo resizer. It only prepares the image; you submit through the official website.
Why DV photos are checked so strictly
The Diversity Visa program receives a very large number of entries. Photos that do not meet the digital rules, or that appear to be reused or duplicated, can be disqualified, and an entry that is disqualified cannot be fixed after the entry period. That is why it is worth preparing the file carefully before you start the form.
Step by step
- Take a fresh photograph against a plain light wall, in even light, with your head straight and your eyes open.
- Open the resizer and use the guide oval so that your head fills roughly half to two thirds of the height.
- Download the square JPEG, which will be under 240 KB.
- Repeat for every person included on the entry, with each one in a separate file.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the same photo for two people or re-using an old entry photo.
- Filters, retouching or "beauty" modes.
- Cropping too tightly so the head is cut off, or too loosely so the head is tiny.
Frequently asked questions
When do DV entries open?
The State Department publishes the entry period and instructions each program year on its website. Read the current notice.
Do babies need a photo?
Yes. Each person on the entry needs one that meets the same rules.
Does this site submit my entry?
No. It only prepares the photo file.