Before you start
Apply only through the official US State Department website. Entry is free, and you should be careful with any site that charges to enter for you. The photo rules can change between entry periods, so read the current instructions on the official DV program site first. PicFitter helps you prepare the file but cannot guarantee acceptance.
The rules in short
| Item | What is asked |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square |
| Pixels | Between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 |
| Format | JPEG |
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Colour | Colour photo, not black and white |
| Head size | Roughly 50 to 69 percent of the image height |
| Age of photo | Recent, normally taken within the last six months |
Step 1: Take the photo
Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall, with soft light from a window facing you so there are no shadows. Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression or a natural small smile, and keep both eyes open. Remove sunglasses and avoid glare on glasses. A friend holding the phone at eye level works best.
Step 2: Fix the background if needed
If the wall is not plain, use the ID photo background remover to switch to a clean white background. Check the edges around your hair. Do not use filters or retouching, because edited faces are a common reason for rejection.
Step 3: Crop to a square
Use the US visa photo maker to crop a centred square. It exports 600 × 600 pixels, which is inside the allowed range. Make sure your head fills about half to two thirds of the height.
Step 4: Get under 240KB
Phone photos are often several megabytes. Compress the squared photo with the 200KB tool so it stays safely under the 240KB limit while keeping your face sharp. Download it as a JPEG.
Step 5: Final check
Open the file and confirm it is square, within the pixel range and under 240KB, with your whole head and shoulders visible. Spouse and children need their own photos that follow the same rules. For the full list of specifications see DV lottery photo requirements.
Common reasons for rejection
A file above the limit, a photo that is not square, a head that is too small, shadows on the background, glare on glasses, or a filtered or edited picture. If the form says the photo is invalid, check the size and the file first, then retake the picture in better light.