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DV lottery photo requirements, in plain English.

A DV lottery photo is a JPEG sized Exactly 600 × 600 pixels — no range, at 240 KB or smaller, head at 50–69% of the photo's total height, eyes 56–69% up from the bottom of the photo, background: Plain white or off-white. That's the whole specification, transcribed from the State Department's own photo pages — the size rule is stricter than the DS-160's, so read it, check it at the source, then let the maker hit the numbers for you.

WHAT WE HAND YOU: Exactly 600×600 JPEG · under 240 KB · pure white background

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See your finished photo free · download it for $16.99at CVS; ours is $9 · refunded if the government rejects it

The specification

DV lottery photo size and requirements (E-DV entry)

These are the numbers your photo is measured against, transcribed from Official US visa & DV photo requirements (travel.state.gov) — verifiable at the source, which is linked under the table:

Photo sizeExactly 600 × 600 pixels — no range
File size240 KB or smaller
FormatJPEG
Head height50–69% of the photo's total height
Eye height56–69% up from the bottom of the photo
BackgroundPlain white or off-white

Already have a photo? Check it against the spec — free

Applying as a family? Check the whole family's photos at once — the official requirements linked below ask for a photo of each applicant.

Official US visa & DV photo requirements (travel.state.gov)

Who does what

Most of this list isn't yours to solve.

Done for you, from any selfie

  • Crop: head 50–69% of frame
  • Background → pure white
  • Exactly 600×600 JPEG, under 240 KB
  • All 8 checks re-measured

Yours, before you tap the shutter

Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are not allowed in a DV lottery photo — take it with them off. The only exception the State Department recognises is a rare medical one, where the glasses cannot be removed.
Head coverings
No hat or head covering that hides your hair or hairline, unless you wear it daily for a religious purpose.
Expression
A relaxed, neutral face with your mouth closed. A wide smile showing teeth risks rejection.
Light and focus
Face the camera straight on, eyes open, in even indirect light. Nothing can un-blur a soft photo or rescue a badly exposed one afterwards — including us.

Everything on the left is measurement and file work, which is what the maker is for. Everything on the right happens before the photo exists.

Make my photo →

Pass here, rejected there? Instant refund.

Tap the refund link in your receipt, tell us it was rejected — refunded on the spot. No screenshots, no forms, no waiting.

30 DAYS FROM PURCHASE · NO PROOF UPLOADS · A DRUGSTORE COUNTER CHARGES $15–25 AND GUARANTEES NOTHING

Questions

Fair questions, straight answers.

Is this an official U.S. government or DV program service?

No. We're an independent service that makes and checks visa photos — not affiliated with the U.S. government or the State Department. Their own free photo requirements page is linked below if you'd rather do it yourself.

When should I make my DV photo?

As of this writing, the next DV entry window has not been announced. The State Department requires a photo taken within the last six months, so a photo made months before the window opens may need to be made twice — the whole process here takes about a minute, so there is nothing to gain from doing it early.

Can I use the same photo for the DS-160?

Yes. The DS-160 accepts any square from 600 × 600 up to 1200 × 1200 pixels, while the DV entry takes exactly 600 × 600 — so this file satisfies both. Mind the clock: US visa photos must be taken within the last six months.

Do I need printed photos too?

Not for the entry itself. If you are selected, you bring two identical printed 2 × 2 inch photos to the interview — and with the six-month recency rule those need to be a recent photo then, not a reprint of your entry file. Your download includes a print-ready 4×6 sheet for when that day comes.

What happens if my photo fails a check?

You won't be charged. We show you exactly which check failed and how to fix it — move closer, find better light, use a plainer background — so you can retake and try again for free.

What if my photo is rejected after I pay?

Instant refund: open the refund link in your receipt, tell us it was rejected, and the money goes back to your card on the spot — no screenshots, no forms. Covers 30 days from purchase.

What happens to my photo?

It’s used only to run the checks, downloadable by you for 7 days, then deleted automatically. No account, no photo library, no reuse.

Have your DV photo ready today.

See your finished photo free. Pay only when it passes.

Make my photo