Photo Requirements

More details about required photos for the DV Lottery.

All applications must include recent photographs (taken within the last 6 months) of the applicant, spouse, and each child (including all natural children, legally-adopted children, and stepchildren).

Basic specifications.

All photographs must conform to the following basic specifications:

• The person being photographed must be directly facing the camera.
• The head should not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
• The head must cover about 50% of the area of the photograph.
• The photo should be taken with the person being photographed in front of a neutral, light-colored background.
• Photos taken with very dark or patterned, busy backgrounds will not be accepted.
• The person's face must be in focus.
• The person in the photograph must not wear glasses, sunglasses, head coverings, or any objects that obscure the face.
• Do not send group or family photos. A separate photo is required for each family member.

Digital specifications.

In addition, photos must meet these electronic file requirements:

• The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg) format.
• The image must be in color. Black and white, monochrome, or grayscale images will not be accepted.
• Digital images from either a digital camera source or a scanned photograph via scanner will be accepted.
• If a new digital photograph is taken, it must have a resolution of 600 pixels wide by 600 pixels high and a color depth of 24-bit color.
• If a photographic print is scanned, the print must be 4 inches by 4 inches (10 cm x 10 cm) square. It must be scanned at a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch (ppi) and with a color depth of 24-bit color.
• The maximum image size accepted will be 240,000 bytes (240 Kb).

Acceptable pictures should look like these:

Acceptable Photos Should Look Like These