USA Green Card Lottery photo checker

This document in numbers

Your file is compared against these numbers. Where they come from is stated below.

  • Size2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)
  • Head height50–69% of the frame height
  • Eye line56–69% up from the bottom edge
  • BackgroundPure white
  • File600 × 600 px
  • Photo agethe authority does not publish this

Where these numbers come from

Checked word for word

The numbers on this page are taken from U.S. Department of State and checked against the official text word for word. Last checked on 17 May 2026.

We say not just where the numbers come from, but how closely they were checked — a general rule and an exact figure are not the same promise.

Open the official source

How it works

  1. Crop and size: 51 × 51 mm, with the head taking up 50–69% of the frame height.
  2. Background: Pure white, even across the whole frame. No pattern, no shadow behind the head, nothing else in the picture.
  3. Head position: look straight into the lens, head upright — not tilted, not turned. Both eyes open and at the same level, face lit evenly, shoulders square to the camera. Glasses: not allowed for this document — take them off before the shot.

Why USA Green Card Lottery photos are rejected most often

Below are the reasons U.S. Department of State names most often. The checker measures the ones that can be measured from the file — the rest are worth a look before you send the photo.

  1. Reusing the photograph from a previous year's entry
  2. Digital file outside the accepted pixel range, over 240 KB, or greyscale
  3. Auto-scan passes, but the photo fails the later content review
  4. Glasses worn
  5. Background not plain white or off-white

Requirements taken from U.S. Department of State DV photo rules. Last checked against the source on 17 May 2026.

What this check covers

We measure what a file can tell us: proportions, position, colour, sharpness. We cannot tell how old the photo is, whether it was edited, or how the clerk will decide. A green result means the numbers match the U.S. Department of State requirements. The decision itself stays with them.

What we check

  • Frame size, head height and eye line — in millimetres and per cent
  • Head tilt and turn, gaze into the camera, open eyes, closed mouth
  • How even the background is and whether its colour matches the rule
  • Sharpness, shadows and blown highlights, glare on glasses, red eye
  • Format, pixel dimensions, file weight and proportions

What we don't check

  • The authority's decision. A green result means the numbers match the published requirements — not that the photo has been accepted.
  • When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
  • Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file, and some countries forbid them outright.
  • Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
  • How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
  • The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves — a file check does not replace that.
  • The USA ban on edited photos. State Department rules forbid digital alteration, filters and AI changes — matching the numbers does not lift that.
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Frequently asked

Which countries does this checker work for?
Every country that issues ICAO-compliant biometric documents — that's effectively all 193 UN member states. The default thresholds match ICAO 9303 (the universal baseline); pick your specific document to load the country's exact head-height / eye-line bands.
What does ICAO 9303 mean?
ICAO 9303 is the International Civil Aviation Organization's specification for machine-readable travel documents — passports, visas and ID cards. It defines exact requirements for the photo: head height proportion, eye line position, background colour, lighting evenness, expression neutrality. Most countries adopt ICAO 9303 directly or with local additions. Compliance with this baseline means your photo will likely be accepted by the majority of authorities worldwide. It's the closest thing to a universal passport-photo standard.
If it passes here, will the embassy accept the photo?
Geometry and quality, yes — those are deterministic measurements against ICAO 9303 thresholds. But many authorities also check editorial details we can't measure (recent date, no edit history, neutral background even when uniform). Our score is a strong signal, not an official approval.
What if my photo fails some checks?
Each failed metric tells you what to fix. Most problems can be solved with a retake; the generator can also correct framing, lighting and background while preserving your identity. Preview the result before paying for the HD set.
Whose standards does this checker use, and how accurate are they?
We measure your photo against the ICAO 9303 specification (the international machine-readable travel document standard adopted by 193 UN member states) and, for US applications, the State Department's photo rules under 22 CFR 51.27. Geometric checks — head height, eye line, tilt, centering — are deterministic against published numeric thresholds, so a green result means your photo meets the public criteria. Final acceptance still rests with the issuing authority's reviewer, since some editorial checks (recent date, post-processing history) can't be measured automatically. Your photo is analysed locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering?
For most countries, glasses are allowed if the eyes are clearly visible without glare (US passport rules since November 2016 forbid glasses entirely; UK and Schengen still allow them as long as there are no reflections on the lenses). Religious head coverings are permitted in virtually all countries provided the face from forehead to chin is fully visible. This checker measures the face geometry — it doesn't enforce country-specific clothing rules. See your destination's official requirements for the final say on accessories.