
Applying for the DV-2026 Green Card Lottery is a major opportunity for individuals from eligible countries to become permanent residents of the United States. One of the most common reasons applications are disqualified is an incorrect photo. For this reason, it is essential to follow the official photo requirements carefully.
Below is a clear, up-to-date guide to help you submit a compliant photo and avoid unnecessary rejection.
The photo must be in color and taken within the last six months.
It must be taken against a plain white or off-white background.
Your head must be centered, and you must be facing the camera directly.
No other people, objects, shadows, or backgrounds should appear in the image.
Maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open.
Your full face must be clearly visible, from the top of the head to the chin.
Hair must not cover your eyes or obscure any part of your face.
You should be looking straight at the camera, not tilted or turned.
Hats or head coverings are not allowed unless worn daily for religious reasons.
Religious head coverings must not cast shadows or hide facial features.
Sunglasses, headphones, or face-covering accessories are not permitted.
Avoid uniforms, costumes, or clothing that resembles official or military attire.
The photo must be square (equal width and height).
Minimum image size: 600 × 600 pixels.
Your head must measure 50% to 69% of the image height (approximately 22–35 mm).
File format must be JPG, JPEG, or HEIF.
Maximum file size: 54 kilobytes and 10 megabytes
The image must be sharp, well-lit, and in focus.
There should be no filters, retouching, or digital enhancements.
The photo must be a true representation of your current appearance.
Blurry, pixelated, or over-edited photos will result in disqualification.
Creating a compliant DV Lottery photo no longer requires visiting a photo studio. With 123PassportPhoto, the entire process can be completed online, allowing you to prepare your photo from home quickly and conveniently.
Here is how to create your United States DV Lottery photo using 123passportphoto.com:
Go to 123passportphoto.com, where you will find a simple and user-friendly interface designed for official document photos, including the DV Lottery.
Select a recent photo that meets basic DV Lottery requirements and upload it to the platform. The system supports common image formats and works on both desktop and mobile devices.
The tool automatically guides you through cropping and resizing your photo to match DV Lottery photo specifications, ensuring proper head size, alignment, and image dimensions.
If your original photo does not have a suitable background, the software removes it and replaces it with a compliant white or off-white background, as required by the DV Lottery program.
Before downloading, you can preview the final image to confirm that it meets all DV Lottery photo requirements. Once satisfied, download the ready-to-submit photo for your application.
Using 123passportphoto.com offers several practical advantages for DV Lottery applicants:
Affordable option – A lower-cost alternative to professional photo studios
Convenience – No appointments, travel, or waiting in lines
Compliance assurance – Photos are formatted to meet official DV Lottery requirements, helping reduce the risk of rejection due to photo errors