Documents › US › DV lottery
US DV lottery photo maker
Turn a phone photo into a US DV lottery photo that meets the official size rules. You get a digital file for your DV lottery entry and a 4×6 print sheet. Free, and your photo never leaves your device.
2026Official rules
Drag to move · pinch or scroll to zoom
Background: Plain white or off-white. No shadows, textures or objects.
Official US DV lottery photo requirements
| Digital image | JPEG, exactly 600 × 600 pixels (square), 240 kB or less |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–69% of the image height, top of hair to chin |
| Eye height | 56–69% of the image height from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| If selected | Bring 2 identical 2 × 2 inch printed photos to your interview |
Last checked against the official sources on 28 October 2026: U.S. Department of State: visa photo requirements
How to take a good photo with your phone
- Stand about 1 metre (3 feet) in front of a plain, light-coloured wall.
- Face a window or use even light, so there are no shadows on your face or the wall.
- Ask someone to take the photo at eye level. Avoid selfies; they distort your face.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed.
- Check the glasses rule in the table below; if in doubt, take them off. Keep hair away from your eyes.
- Upload the photo above, check it lines up with the guides, and download.
Common questions
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The face detection and cropping run inside your browser. Your photo is never sent to a server.
What size is the digital file?
The download is a square 600 × 600 pixel JPEG, exactly the official size, under the 240 KB limit.
How do I print the photos?
Download the 4×6 print sheet and print it as a standard 4×6 inch (10×15 cm) photo at any photo shop or pharmacy. If you print at home, choose "actual size" or 100%, not "fit to page". Cut along the grey lines.