DV Lottery Photo Tool

About the DV Lottery Photo Tool

The Diversity Visa (green-card) Lottery wants a square photo between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels, saved as a JPEG under 240 KB, taken in the last 6 months against a plain light background, with your head filling roughly 50-69% of the frame from chin to crown. This tool crops to exactly 600×600 — inside that range — and compresses under 240 KB on your device. The rule that catches people out: entry instructions disqualify digitally altered photos, and State Department guidance names AI beauty filters and smoothing apps specifically. A straight crop, resize and compress is the safe move; an AI "enhance" tool is not. Shoot against a plain white or off-white wall first — we size and crop, we don’t touch the background.

Frequently asked questions

What are the DV Lottery photo requirements?

A square photo between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels, JPEG, under 240 KB, taken within the last 6 months against a plain white or off-white background, with a neutral expression and your head filling about 50-69% of the frame. This tool nails the 600×600 size and the 240 KB limit.

Can I use an AI photo tool for the DV Lottery?

It's risky — DV entry rules disqualify digitally altered photos, and State Department guidance calls out AI beauty filters and skin-smoothing apps by name. This tool only crops, resizes and compresses. No AI edits, so your photo stays compliant.

Can I reuse the same photo from a previous year’s entry?

No. Reusing a photo from a prior year’s entry is one of the specific reasons DV entries get disqualified. Take a new one each year, even if nothing about your appearance has changed.

How big should my head be in the photo?

Your head — chin to crown — should fill roughly 50-69% of the frame height. Center your face in the shot; this tool then crops it to the required 600×600 square.

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