US DV Lottery (Green Card) photo 2026: requirements, 2×2 inch size
United States
In short. A US DV Lottery photo must be a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square, in JPEG format at 600×600–1200×1200 pixels and up to 240 KB, on a white or off-white background, with a neutral facial expression, no glasses, and taken within the last 6 months.
- Format: a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square, 600×600–1200×1200 pixels, JPEG (.jpg), file up to 240 KB.
- Background white or off-white, with no shadows or patterns; face front-on, neutral expression, both eyes open.
- Glasses have been prohibited since 1 November 2016 (the only exception being medical grounds with a certificate).
- The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and match your current appearance.
- The head must take up 50%–69% of the frame height; editing or "enhancing" the face, including with AI, is prohibited.
To apply for the DV Lottery (US Green Card) on the dvprogram.state.gov website, you need a square 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) photo in JPEG format, sized 600×600–1200×1200 pixels and a file up to 240 KB. The background must be white or off-white, the facial expression neutral, with no glasses, and the shot taken no earlier than the last 6 months. If the photo does not meet these parameters, the automatic validator on the site will reject the upload and the application will not be registered.
Photo requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Shape and size | Square 2×2 inch (51×51 mm), equal sides |
| Resolution | 600×600 – 1200×1200 pixels |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| File size | Up to 240 KB |
| Background | White or off-white, with no shadows |
| Head in the frame | 50%–69% of the frame height (from chin to crown) |
| Facial expression | Neutral, both eyes open, front-on |
| Glasses | Prohibited (since 1 November 2016) |
| Age | No older than 6 months |
Where to apply
The photo is uploaded directly into the DV electronic application form on the official dvprogram.state.gov website. The same photo in terms of quality and composition is also used for US visa photos (for example, for the DS-160 form). A printed photo is also accepted in the 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) size.
Why photos are rejected
The system automatically checks the upload and does not accept a photo if:
- the size is not square or not 600×600–1200×1200 px;
- the file is larger than 240 KB or not in JPEG format;
- the background is dark, coloured, with shadows or a pattern;
- you are wearing glasses, smiling or have turned your head away;
- the head is too large or too small in the frame;
- the photo is older than 6 months, scanned from a document, or altered with an editor/AI.
How to prepare your photo
- Take a front-on shot in even lighting against a light wall.
- Remove your glasses, keep a neutral expression, and look straight into the camera.
- Crop the photo to a 2×2 inch square so that the head takes up 50%–69% of the height.
- Save it as a JPEG up to 240 KB at a resolution of at least 600×600 px.
- Upload it into the form at dvprogram.state.gov and check that the validator has accepted the file.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- What is the photo size for the US DV Lottery?
- A 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square. The digital file must be in JPEG format, at a resolution from 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels and a size of up to 240 KB.
- Can I be photographed wearing glasses?
- No. Glasses have been prohibited since 1 November 2016. The only exception is documented medical grounds with a signed certificate from a doctor.
- How recent must the photo be?
- The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and match your current appearance. Old photos or ones scanned from documents are not accepted.
- Why does the validator reject my photo?
- Most often due to a non-square size, incorrect resolution, a file over 240 KB, a dark background, glasses, an incorrect head size, or editing of the shot.