US DV Lottery Photo — at home in 60 seconds
Diversity Visa (DV / Green Card Lottery) electronic entry photo (E-DV)
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Quick answer
A US DV Lottery Photo must be a digital file of 600 × 600 px (up to 240 KB, JPEG), with the head filling 50–69 % of the photo height, on a white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Digital file
- 600 × 600 px · up to 240 KB · JPEG
Verified October 3, 2026 from travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State).
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Digital file
- 600 × 600 px · up to 240 KB · JPEG
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 50–69 % of the photo height
- Eye line from the bottom
- 56–69 %
- Background
- White, off-white. Plain, free of shadows, texture, lines or objects. Blue/grey backgrounds shown as UNACCEPTABLE examples.
- Expression
- Neutral facial expression, both eyes open, full-face view directly facing the camera.
- Glasses
- Not allowed.
- Head covering
- Not allowed if it obscures hair/hairline unless worn daily for religious purpose; full face visible, no shadows.
- Babies and children
- Separate individual photo required for spouse and every eligible child (unmarried, under 21), same specs; baby on white sheet or white-covered car seat, no other person in photo, eyes open.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Online application
- E-DV online entry (dvprogram.state.gov) during the annual registration window.
More rules (6)
- must meet the same standards as U.S. visa photos
- reusing the same photo as a prior year's entry → ineligible
- manipulated photos → may be ineligible
- scan of an existing photo allowed only if 2x2 in at 300 ppi
- must be in focus; no headphones; no uniforms
- photo must be uploaded together with the entry (cannot be submitted separately)
Digital upload only
This document uses a digital photo, so there is nothing to print.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Photo Requirements (U.S. Visas) — travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State)
- DV-2026 Plain Language Instructions and FAQs (PDF) — 'Submitting a Digital Photograph' — travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State)
- Diversity Visa Program Instructions page — travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State)
Questions
What size is a US DV Lottery Photo?
Digital: 600 × 600 px · up to 240 KB · JPEG.
Can I take my US DV Lottery Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
White, off-white. Plain, free of shadows, texture, lines or objects. Blue/grey backgrounds shown as UNACCEPTABLE examples.
Can I smile?
Neutral facial expression, both eyes open, full-face view directly facing the camera.
Can I wear glasses?
Not allowed.
Can I wear a head covering?
Not allowed if it obscures hair/hairline unless worn daily for religious purpose; full face visible, no shadows.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
What about babies and children?
Separate individual photo required for spouse and every eligible child (unmarried, under 21), same specs; baby on white sheet or white-covered car seat, no other person in photo, eyes open.
More United States documents
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.