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).