All photo formats / United States
DV Lottery photo: exactly 600 x 600 pixels
The Diversity Visa entry form is stricter than the DS-160: the photo must be exactly 600 x 600 pixels, a square JPEG of at most 240 kB. Crop and export the exact file below, entirely on your own device.
The official requirements
| Dimensions | Exactly 600 x 600 pixels |
|---|---|
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| File size | 240 kB or less. The State Department also says the compression ratio should be 20:1 or less; it does not officially define how the ratio is computed (we measure it against the uncompressed 600 x 600 x 24-bit size). This tool exports at the highest quality that fits the limit and shows you the ratio - it never pads the file to fake a number. |
| Head size | 50-69% of the image height, chin to top of head |
| Eye level | 56-69% of the image height from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Other rules | Taken in the last 6 months, no glasses, neutral expression, no head covering except daily religious wear |
Checked against the official sources below on 7 Nov 2026.
Do not use a photo from a previous DV entry, and do not retouch it. Photos that were digitally altered to change appearance are grounds for disqualification.
How to do it
- Take a new photo against a plain white or off-white background, facing the camera directly.
- Upload it below and frame it with the guide lines.
- Create the file - it is exported at exactly 600 x 600 px.
- Download and upload it with your DV entry.
Common questions
Can I reuse last year's DV photo?
No. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months, and reusing an older photo can disqualify the entry.
My photo is 600x600 but over 240 kB - what now?
That happens when it is saved at very high quality. This tool compresses the same 600 x 600 image to fit under 240 kB.