US Green Card Lottery (DV)
DV Lottery Photo Check Failed: Fix the E-DV Photo Tool Error
Why a DV lottery photo fails: the wrong size, a file over 240KB, the head outside 50–69% of the height, or a busy background. How to fix each one without editing the photo.
Last updated Oct 15, 2026
Verified against the official source · Oct 15, 2026Why the E-DV Photo Tool Fails Your Photo
The E-DV entry form asks for a photo that meets the DV specifications, and the instructions say a photo that does not may make you ineligible for a DV. The usual causes are:
- Not exactly 600x600px square, or not a JPEG.
- File size over 240KB.
- Head height outside 50–69% of the image, or eyes outside 56–69% from the bottom.
- A background that is not plain white or off-white, or shadows on it.
- An old photo: the instructions say reusing a prior year's entry photo may make you ineligible.
How to Fix It Without Editing the Photo
The DV instructions say a manipulated photograph may make you ineligible, so fix the cause rather than editing the picture. We do not make DV photos for the same reason.
- Wrong size: crop the original to a 600x600 pixel square with the State Department's free photo tool, without stretching it.
- File too large: save the JPEG at a lower quality until it is 240 kB or less.
- Head too small or too large: retake the photo closer or further away so the head fills 50–69% of the height.
- Background not plain: retake it in front of a plain white or off-white wall with even light.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
Real DV Photo Check Failed Rejection Data
27.3% of DV Photo Check Failed photos were rejected on first submission, based on 22 checks run through VisaPhotoCheck.
Most common reasons a rejected photo failed
- Accessories (glasses, hats, headphones)50%
- Lighting or shadows33%
- Expression17%
- Resolution17%
- sharpness17%
Each figure is the share of rejected DV Photo Check Failed photos that failed that specific check. A single rejection often fails more than one check, so these do not add up to 100%.
Based on VisaPhotoCheck's own DV Photo Check Failed submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
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