US DV Lottery (Green Card) Photo Online
Create an official 51×51mm photo checked against published United States government regulations. Includes automatic background replacement, an instant compliance check, and a 4×6 inch print sheet — free preview, $2.99 to unlock.
Official US DV Lottery (Green Card) Dimensions & Proportion
The government requires exact facial placement within the frame. Our alignment tool automatically measures your head height to ensure it falls strictly within the 50% to 69% allowable zone.
- • Target size: 51 × 51 mm (2.01″ × 2.01″)
- • Head height: 50% – 69% of total height
- • Resolution: At least 600×600 px @ 300 DPI
- • Background: Pure White (#ffffff)
Official Do's & Don'ts for US DV Lottery (Green Card)
Follow these core criteria when snapping your photo with your smartphone:
Neutral expression with both eyes clearly open, facing directly into the lens.
Eyeglasses are not allowed for new visa photos, except in rare documented medical circumstances.
Daily wear; uniforms are prohibited except religious clothing worn daily.
Even lighting with no shadows on the face or background.
Source: U.S. Department of State — DV Program Entry Instructions ↗
Top Reasons US DV Lottery (Green Card) Photos Get Rejected
Government agencies reject thousands of passport and visa applications every week for these common mistakes:
- ✕Submitting the same photo from last year's DV lottery (a prior-year photo results in disqualification)
- ✕File size larger than 240 kB causing submission error on the official portal
- ✕Wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses
Source: U.S. Department of State — DV Program Entry Instructions ↗
Official requirements
- •Strict square format: exactly 600×600 pixels
- •File size must be equal to or less than 240 kB (strict upload ceiling)
- •JPEG format with 24-bit color depth (sRGB)
- •Head height must be 50% to 69% (300 to 414 pixels on a 600×600 px image)
- •Taken within the last 6 months
- •Strictly NO eyeglasses, uniforms, or shadows
Official Authority Source: U.S. Department of State — DV Program Entry Instructions ↗
Size specifications table
| Unit | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 51 mm | 51 mm |
| Inches | 2.01″ | 2.01″ |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 600 px | 600 px (minimum) |
How to Print Your US DV Lottery (Green Card) Photo for $0.35 at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart
In-store passport photo desks charge up to $17.99 for two cut prints. Here is how you can use your IdPhoto Studio download to print for pennies:
- Unlock and download your print-ready 4×6 inch sheet containing multiple copies.
- Save the image to your phone or USB thumb drive.
- Visit any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Boots, or local photo kiosk and select "4×6 Photo Print" (approx. $0.35–$0.50).
- Do not select the $16.99–$17.99 passport photo menu item — the 4×6 print paper is identical.
- Once printed, use scissors or a craft knife to trim along the clean outline guides.
Need detailed kiosk screen instructions? Read our step-by-step CVS & Walgreens photo print guide →
What our checker verifies
Every photo is checked against these parameters before you pay:
- • Resolution of at least 600×600px
- • Exact aspect ratio of 51:51 (±2%)
- • Head height between 50% and 69% of the photo
- • Eye line between 35% and 60% from the top
- • Full head and hair inside the frame boundary
- • The top of your head inside the frame — measured from your photo
- • Plain, shadowless background with correct color tone
These are the rules we can measure. Whether the authority accepts the photo is their decision — and if they reject a photo you bought from us, we refund it.
Frequently asked questions
Why do so many Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) entries get disqualified?
The DV instructions do not publish a count of disqualified entries. What they do state is the consequence: an entry whose photos do not fully meet the specifications, or whose photos were manipulated in any way, is disqualified — with no appeal and no way to correct it afterwards. The recurring failure points are a file over 240 kB, a non-square or non-600×600 image, a photo older than six months, a reused photo from a previous entry, and eyeglasses.
Does IdPhoto Studio guarantee the 240 kB file size limit for DV Lottery?
Yes! Our DV Lottery preset exports an exact 600×600 px square image with 50%–69% head ratio, compressed strictly under the 240 kB State Department threshold while preserving maximum sharpness.
Source: U.S. Department of State — DV Program Entry Instructions ↗
Other documents and specifications
Ready to create your US DV Lottery (Green Card) photo?
Upload any smartphone portrait. Preview your compliance report for free — pay only when your photo passes.
Create My Photo Now →Already have a rejected photo? Check it free →