DV Lottery Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide (2×2, 600×600, No AI Edits)
Quick answer: Your DV Lottery photo must be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), 600×600 pixels, JPEG format, under 240 KB, plain white or off-white background, neutral expression, both eyes open, no glasses, no hat. Taken within the last 6 months. AI-altered or manipulated photos are grounds for disqualification. Source: US State Department DV-2026 Plain Language Instructions (PDF).
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What is the DV Lottery and why the photo matters
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery — officially the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program — is run annually by the US Department of State. For Fiscal Year 2026, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are available to nationals of countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Entry is free. One application per person. One bad photo can disqualify your entry before a human reviews it.
The photo is a biometric data point used to verify identity from the lottery draw through your consular interview. If the photo you submit at entry does not match what you bring to interview, or if it was digitally manipulated, your entry can be invalidated.
Since January 2026, the State Department has explicitly flagged AI-altered photos as unacceptable — including beauty filters, skin-smoothing apps, or AI enhancement. Your photo must be a true, unmodified likeness. Official photo rules: US State Department — visa photos.
Official DV Lottery photo requirements (2026)
These specifications follow the US State Department and the DV-2026 Plain Language Instructions (PDF). ICAO-aligned framing is summarized in ICAO Doc 9303.
Digital image (online entry at dvprogram.state.gov)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) only |
| File size | 240 KB maximum |
| Dimensions | 600 × 600 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | Square (height = width) |
| Color | Full color (24-bit) |
Photo composition
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size (if scanning a print) | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Head size | 1 to 1-3/8 inches (22–35 mm) chin to top of head |
| Head coverage | 50% to 69% of total image height |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no patterns |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Eyes | Both open, looking directly at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Headwear | Not permitted unless worn daily for religious purposes (full face visible) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Uniforms | Not permitted (religious clothing worn daily is acceptable) |
At the consular interview (if selected)
If you are selected, bring two (2) identical printed photos to your immigrant visa interview: photo-quality paper, 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), matching the digital photo submitted at entry. USCIS also publishes general photo guidance at uscis.gov/photos for other benefit types; DV entry follows State Department DV instructions.
The 2026 AI photo ban — what it means
The State Department states that manipulated or altered photos are unacceptable — including AI-generated or AI-enhanced images, beauty filters, AI background replacement, or apps that change facial features.
Generally not treated as “manipulation” when done carefully: cropping and resizing to meet size requirements; adjusting background to plain white; brightness/contrast edits that do not change how your face looks.
PixID only crops, resizes, sets a compliant background, and checks framing — it does not alter your face.
Why DV Lottery photos get rejected
The system runs automated checks. Common failures:
Technical: file over 240 KB; not square; resolution below 600×600; not JPEG.
Composition: head too small or too large; background not plain white/off-white; shadows; eyes not fully visible.
Policy: glasses; non-religious headwear; photo older than 6 months; reusing a photo from a prior DV year; AI-altered image.
Family members — spouse and children
If you have a spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents, submit a separate compliant photo for each person. You do not need a photo for someone who is already a US citizen or LPR (including one is not penalized). Each photo meets the same specs: 600×600, JPEG, under 240 KB, white background, neutral expression, no glasses.
How to take a DV Lottery photo at home
Setup: Plain white wall or sheet behind you. Natural daylight from a window in front of you — not behind. Avoid harsh overhead light that shadows eyes or chin.
Shooting: Have someone else take the picture or use a tripod and timer. Frame head and shoulders. Look straight at the camera. Neutral expression, mouth closed. Remove glasses.
After: Upload to PixID, choose the DV Lottery / US visa photo path, download a 600×600 JPEG under 240 KB, then upload to dvprogram.state.gov.
Upload
Any recent, well-lit photo from your phone.
Auto-fix
Square crop, head size, white background, compression.
Download
Ready for the DV entry form.
DV Lottery vs US passport photo
| DV Lottery | US passport | |
|---|---|---|
| Size (print) | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
| Digital dimensions | 600 × 600 px | 600 × 600 px minimum |
| Max file size | 240 KB | No stated maximum (online submission) |
| Background | White or off-white | White only |
| Glasses | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Reuse from prior DV year | Not permitted | N/A |
For online DV entry, the 240 KB limit trips many people — phone JPEGs are often 1–3 MB. PixID compresses output to stay within the limit.
Frequently asked questions
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Create Your DV Lottery Photo — $4.99Requirements verified against the DV-2026 Plain Language Instructions (PDF) and US State Department photo requirements. Last updated April 2026.