DV (green card) photo requirements
The DV lottery — the one everyone calls the green card lottery — rejects entries automatically, and the photo is the most common reason. These are the rules our checker and the entry system both apply.
File
- JPEG only, with a .jpg or .jpeg extension.
- Exactly 600 × 600 pixels.
- 240 KB (240,000 bytes) or less.
- Colour photo, 24 bits. Black and white images are rejected.
Composition
- Chin to top of head takes 50–69 % of the frame height. The head is centred and faces the camera.
- The eye line sits 56–69 % of the height above the bottom edge.
- Plain white or off-white background, without objects, patterns or shadows.
- No glasses: they have been banned since 2016, even for medical reasons.
- Headwear is allowed only for religious reasons and must not cover the face.
- No uniforms or camouflage clothing.
Quality
- Neutral expression or a natural smile, mouth closed, both eyes open and visible.
- Even lighting without shadows on the face or the background.
- No filters, retouching or editing: the photo must reflect your real appearance.
- Taken no more than 6 months before you submit the entry.
Source
The full requirements and the composition template: Photo Composition Template on the U.S. Department of State website.
travel.state.gov