DV Lottery Photo Requirements 2026 (Green Card)
The Diversity Visa Green Card lottery rejects entries for a photo that is a few pixels too small or a few kilobytes too large. The rules are strict, the system is automated, and there is no way to appeal a disqualification. This guide covers every official requirement for 2026, including the new January 2026 rule on AI-edited photos, and shows you how to prepare a compliant image in under three minutes using free browser tools.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer
A DV Lottery photo must be a square JPEG between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, no larger than 240 KB, showing your full face against a plain white or off-white background, taken within the last six months, with no glasses, no filters, and no AI retouching. Wrong dimensions or a reused photo means automatic disqualification. Use the free SammaPix Passport Photo tool to hit the spec in minutes, entirely in your browser.
Quick reference: all requirements at a glance
The State Department publishes the full specification on dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov. The table below consolidates every requirement into one place so you can check off each point before submitting.
| Requirement | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | 600x600 to 1200x1200 px (square) | Must be perfectly square. 600x600 is the safe universal target. |
| File format | JPEG only (.jpg) | PNG, HEIC, WEBP, PDF are not accepted. |
| Maximum file size | 240 KB | Target 200 KB or below to leave a buffer. |
| Background | Plain white or off-white | No patterns, shadows, or other people visible. |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months | Reusing a photo from a prior entry is a disqualifying error. |
| Face position | Full face, centered, looking straight at camera | Head must occupy 50 to 69% of the frame height. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | No smiling, frowning, or squinting. |
| Glasses | Not permitted (since 2016) | Glasses are banned regardless of prescription or tint. |
| Head coverings | Not permitted except religious | A signed statement of religious practice must accompany religious exemption requests. |
| AI or filter edits | Rejected since January 2026 | Crop, resize, and compress only. No AI skin, face, or background alteration. |
| Color | Color photo only | Black and white photos are not accepted. |
Pixel dimensions and file format
The single most common reason DV Lottery photos are rejected is a dimension error. The online submission system checks the pixel dimensions automatically and rejects anything that is not a perfect square.
The official range is 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels. Both dimensions must match exactly. A photo that is 600 pixels wide and 601 pixels tall is non-square and will be rejected just as quickly as a photo that is 400x400.
In practice, 600x600 pixels is the correct target. It satisfies the minimum, produces a smaller file (which helps with the 240 KB limit), and is accepted universally. Going up to 1200x1200 only adds file size without any benefit, since the system does not reward higher resolution.
The only accepted file format is JPEG (the .jpg extension). If your phone saves photos as HEIC (the default on modern iPhones), you need to convert first. SammaPix converts HEIC to JPEG automatically when you use the Passport Photo tool, or you can use the dedicated HEIC to JPG converter.
File size limit (240 KB)
The maximum file size is 240 kilobytes (KB). This is where many applicants run into trouble even after getting the dimensions right, because modern phone cameras produce JPEG files of 2 MB to 8 MB by default.
The recommended approach is to compress to 200 KB or below. This gives you a safe buffer below the hard limit, accounting for any variation introduced by the upload process or browser handling. A 200 KB JPEG at 600x600 pixels is still visually clear and fully acceptable.
- Under 200 KB: safe zone with a comfortable buffer. Recommended.
- 200 to 240 KB: technically valid but too close to the limit. One re-save can push you over.
- Over 240 KB: the system will block your submission entirely.
Use the SammaPix Compress to 200KB tool to bring any JPEG down to a target file size in seconds. The tool adjusts JPEG quality automatically to hit the target, runs entirely in your browser, and does not alter the pixel dimensions.
Photo content rules (background, face, expression)
Technical specs alone are not enough. The reviewers also examine the visual content of the photo. These rules closely mirror US passport photo standards, which means a photo taken for a US passport application is usually valid for the DV Lottery as well, provided it meets the digital size requirements.
Background
The background must be plain white or off-white. No patterns, gradients, textures, shadows, or other people. A gray wall, a beige door, or a busy room background will all cause rejection. If your available space does not have a suitable background, photograph against a white sheet of paper or a white wall in good daylight.
AI background removal or background replacement is not acceptable under the 2026 rules. The background must be physically present in the environment when the photo is taken, not added digitally afterward.
Face framing and position
The full face must be centered in the frame, looking directly at the camera. The top of the head (including hair, not headwear) should be near the top of the frame. Your head and face must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total frame height. Roughly speaking: the top of your head near the top of the image, the base of your chin roughly one-third of the way up from the bottom.
Expression
Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Avoid any raised eyebrows, wide eyes, or any expression that would alter the geometry of your face. The biometric matching system used to verify identity against future photos and documents requires a consistent neutral pose.
Eyes and vision aids
Your eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera. Glasses of any kind, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and clear-lens frames, have been prohibited since 2016. Contact lenses that do not change your eye color are permitted.
The January 2026 AI-photo rule
Starting in January 2026, the State Department updated its photograph policy to explicitly reject photos that have been processed by AI beauty tools, generative AI, or smartphone camera AI modes that alter facial features, skin texture, or the background.
This came in response to a growing number of applicants submitting photos that had been processed by portrait-enhancement apps and phone camera AI modes. The concern is that these alterations make biometric matching unreliable, which undermines identity verification throughout the visa process.
What counts as a prohibited AI edit, and what is permitted?
- Rejected: AI skin smoothing, blemish removal, face slimming, eye enlargement, AI-generated background replacement, portrait AI modes on smartphones (Samsung AI Remaster, Google Photo Unblur, iPhone Photogenic, etc.).
- Rejected: Any filter that alters skin tone, adds makeup, or changes the color rendering of the face compared to the original photograph.
- Permitted: Cropping to a 1:1 square, resizing to 600x600 pixels, JPEG compression to reduce file size, basic brightness/contrast adjustments that do not alter facial features.
- Permitted: Converting from HEIC to JPEG. Rotating the image upright. Standard color correction on a calibrated monitor.
SammaPix tools are compliant with the 2026 rule because they only perform geometric and compression operations. The Passport Photo tool crops and resizes. The Compress tool reduces file size by adjusting JPEG quality. Neither tool touches facial data, skin rendering, or background appearance.
If you are unsure whether a photo on your phone was captured using an AI enhancement mode, the safest approach is to take a new photo with AI and portrait modes turned off, in front of a white background, using the standard camera mode.
Free tool. No upload. No AI retouching.
Crop your photo to 600x600 px now
How DV Lottery rules compare to US passport photo rules
The DV Lottery photo requirements are intentionally modeled on US passport photo standards. If you have a compliant US passport photo, the content almost certainly meets the DV Lottery visual requirements. The key difference is technical rather than visual.
| Aspect | DV Lottery (digital) | US Passport (print) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Digital JPEG upload | Printed 2x2 inch (or digital upload) |
| Dimensions | 600x600 to 1200x1200 px | 2x2 inch at 600 DPI = 1200x1200 px |
| Background | White or off-white | White or off-white |
| Recency | Within 6 months | Within 6 months |
| Glasses | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
| File size limit | 240 KB maximum | Varies by submission system |
The practical takeaway: if you have access to a digital copy of a recently taken US passport photo, you can use SammaPix to resize it from 1200x1200 to 600x600 and compress it below 200 KB to create a valid DV Lottery submission. Use the Resize tool to adjust dimensions and the Compress to 200KB tool to handle the file size requirement.
Step-by-step: prepare a compliant photo with free tools
The following workflow takes under three minutes and uses three free SammaPix tools that run entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
Take or select a photo that meets the content rules
Use a recent photo taken within the last six months. The background must be plain white or off-white. You must face the camera directly with a neutral expression and your mouth closed. No glasses. No head coverings (unless required by your religion). No AI portrait modes enabled during capture. If you do not have a suitable photo, take a new one in front of a white wall using standard camera mode.
Crop to a 1:1 square
Open the SammaPix Crop Ratio tool at sammapix.com/tools/croproatio. Select the 1:1 aspect ratio. Position the crop box so your head is centered, the top of your head is near the top of the frame, and your chin is roughly one-third of the way up from the bottom. This framing ensures your head occupies the correct 50 to 69% of frame height. Alternatively, the Passport Photo tool handles the crop automatically.
Resize to 600x600 pixels
Open sammapix.com/tools/passport-photo and set the output to 600x600 pixels, or use the Resize tool and enter 600 for both width and height. Do not let the tool resize non-proportionally if you have already cropped to a square. The output must be exactly 600x600, not 600x598 or any other variation.
Compress below 200 KB
Open sammapix.com/compress-to/200kb. Drop your 600x600 JPEG onto the tool. It will automatically reduce the JPEG quality until the file is at or below 200 KB, leaving a 40 KB buffer below the 240 KB hard limit. Download the result and verify the file size before submitting.
Verify and submit
Before uploading to dvprogram.state.gov, do one final check: confirm the pixel dimensions are 600x600 (right-click the file and view properties, or use your OS image viewer), confirm the file size is under 240 KB, and confirm the file is a JPEG. Then upload during the official registration window and save your confirmation number.
Most common rejection reasons
Based on State Department guidance and community reports from applicants, these are the photo-related rejection reasons that appear most frequently during the DV Lottery selection review process.
Reused photo from a previous entry
Every entry must use a photo taken within the last six months. Submitting the same photo used in a prior year is grounds for disqualification even if the photo itself is technically valid in every other way.
Non-square dimensions
The submission system automatically checks dimensions. A photo that is 600x605 or 590x600 will be blocked. Always verify the exact pixel count before uploading.
File over 240 KB
The system enforces the file size limit strictly. A photo that is 241 KB will be rejected. Compress to 200 KB or below to eliminate this risk.
Background with shadows or patterns
A soft shadow behind the head, a patterned wall, or a slightly gray background can trigger rejection during manual review. Use a physically white background in even lighting.
Glasses in the photo
This ban has been in effect since 2016, but applicants still submit photos wearing glasses each cycle. Remove glasses before taking the photo.
AI-edited or filtered facial appearance
Starting in January 2026, photos processed by AI enhancement tools are rejected. This includes portrait modes on smartphones that automatically smooth skin or alter facial geometry.
Head not looking directly at the camera
Even a slight turn of the head or a tilted chin can cause rejection during biometric review. Face the camera squarely with eyes level.
Where to submit and when
All DV Lottery entries must be submitted through the official government portal at dvprogram.state.gov. There is no fee to enter. Any third-party website charging a fee for entry submission is not affiliated with the State Department.
The registration window typically opens in early October and closes in early November. For the DV-2028 lottery (which will grant fiscal year 2028 immigrant visas), the window is expected to open in autumn 2026. The exact dates are announced on the official site, and they can shift by a few days from year to year.
Key points about submission timing and process:
- You may submit only one entry per person per registration period. Multiple entries result in disqualification for all of them.
- Each person in a family unit (spouse and eligible children) needs their own compliant photo.
- Save your confirmation number after submitting. You will need it to check your selection status at dvprogram.state.gov starting the following May.
- Selection results are not sent by email or mail. You must check the status yourself using the confirmation number.
Related tools and guides
FAQ
What is the exact pixel size for a DV Lottery photo?
The photo must be a perfect square between 600x600 pixels and 1200x1200 pixels. The most commonly recommended target is exactly 600x600 pixels. Any non-square photo is automatically rejected by the online submission system.
What is the maximum file size for a DV Lottery photo?
The maximum file size is 240 kilobytes (KB). The photo must be saved in JPEG format (.jpg extension). PNG, HEIC, WEBP, and other formats are not accepted. Target 200 KB or below to leave a safe buffer.
Are DV Lottery photo requirements the same as US passport photo requirements?
The visual content requirements are nearly identical: white or off-white background, full face centered, neutral expression, mouth closed, no glasses, no head coverings (with limited religious exceptions), taken within the last six months. The main technical difference is that a US passport photo is a 2x2 inch print at 600 DPI (equal to 1200x1200 pixels), while the DV Lottery specifies a digital JPEG between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels uploaded online with a 240 KB file size limit.
Are AI-edited or filtered photos allowed for the DV Lottery in 2026?
No. As of January 2026, the State Department explicitly rejects photos altered by AI beauty tools, generative AI, or smartphone AI portrait modes that modify facial features, skin texture, or backgrounds. Cropping, resizing, and compressing are permitted. SammaPix tools only adjust dimensions and file size and do not alter any facial data.
Is there a free tool to resize and compress a DV Lottery photo?
Yes. SammaPix offers free browser-based tools that run entirely on your device: use the Passport Photo tool or Crop Ratio tool to create the square 600x600 frame, then use Compress to 200KB to bring the file under the 240 KB limit. No account required. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
Is my photo uploaded to a server when I use SammaPix?
No. All SammaPix photo tools run entirely client-side in your browser using JavaScript. Your image never leaves your device. This is especially important for official document photos containing your likeness.
When is the DV Lottery registration window?
The Diversity Visa registration window typically opens in early October and closes in early November each year. The DV-2028 lottery is expected to open in autumn 2026. Always verify the exact dates at dvprogram.state.gov before each cycle, as dates can shift slightly from year to year.
