VisaPhotoCheckPreview first

US Green Card Lottery (DV)

Green Card Lottery Photo 600x600px: What the DV Rules Ask

The DV lottery photo is a 600x600px square JPEG of 240KB or less, with the head at 50–69% of the height and the eyes at 56–69% from the bottom. What each rule asks, quoted from the State Department.

Last updated Oct 15, 2026

Verified against the official source · Oct 15, 2026
Read the official photo rulesBrowse supported photo makersGuidance only · we do not make this photo

DV Lottery Photos Must Be Exact

The DV instructions ask for a recent photo in a 600x600px square. A photograph that does not meet the specifications, or one that has been manipulated, may make you ineligible for a DV. We do not make DV photos for that reason.

  • Exactly 600x600 pixels, square, JPEG, 240 kB or less.
  • Plain white or off-white background.
  • Head at 50–69% of the height, eyes at 56–69% from the bottom.

Photo Examples

Correct photo

Pass example

Correct photo

Incorrect photo

Common rejection risk

Incorrect photo

Real Green Card 600x600 Rejection Data

27.3% of Green Card 600x600 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 Green Card 600x600 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 Green Card 600x600 submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Document Requirements