What is the DV Lottery?
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, run by the US State Department, makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually to people from countries with historically low immigration to the United States. Each applicant must submit a digital photo with their entry — and the photo must meet strict technical requirements or the entry will be automatically disqualified.
Photo errors are a leading cause of DV Lottery disqualification. Unlike visa applications where you can resubmit, a disqualified DV entry cannot be corrected. Get your photo right before you submit.
DV Lottery photo specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Digital size | 600 × 600 pixels minimum |
| File format | JPEG only |
| File size | Maximum 240 KB |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Colour | Colour photo only (no black & white) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
File size limit — the most overlooked rule
The DV Lottery system imposes a strict 240 KB maximum file size. This is unusually small — most phone cameras produce JPEG files many times this size. You must compress your photo before uploading.
Use the Bisnep Reduce Image Size tool to bring your JPEG under 240 KB without visible quality loss. The tool runs entirely in your browser — your photo is never uploaded.
Face framing requirements
The DV Lottery system uses automated face detection to verify compliance. Your face must meet all of these requirements:
- Head (top of hair to bottom of chin) must occupy 50–69% of the total frame height.
- Your head and face must be centered in the square frame.
- Eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking straight ahead.
- Neutral expression — no wide smile, no frowning.
- No sunglasses, tinted glasses, or any eyewear.
- No hats, head coverings, or anything obscuring the hairline (religious exceptions apply).
Background and lighting
- Plain white or off-white background — no patterns, shadows, or other people.
- No shadows cast by the subject on the background.
- The photo must be in focus, properly exposed, and taken in colour.
- No red-eye, no heavy digital manipulation or filters.
DV Lottery vs US Visa photo — are they different?
The face and background requirements are the same as a standard US visa photo. The key difference is the 240 KB file size limit imposed by the DV entry system, which you won't encounter when applying for a regular visa in person. This is the requirement most people miss.
| Feature | DV Lottery | US Visa (DS-160) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 600 × 600 px | 600 × 600 px |
| Background | White | White |
| Max file size | 240 KB | 10 MB |
| Format | JPEG | JPEG |
| Glasses | Not permitted | Not permitted |
How to make a DV Lottery photo free online
Use the Bisnep Passport & Visa Photo Generator with the "DV Lottery" preset, then reduce the file size before uploading to the entry portal.
Take your photo
Use your phone against a white wall in good daylight. No glasses, neutral expression, face straight to camera.
Crop to spec
Open bisnep.com/passport-photo, upload your photo, select "DV Lottery". Drag and zoom until your head fills 50–69% of the height. Select white background and download.
Reduce file size
Open bisnep.com/reduce-image-size and compress the JPEG until it is under 240 KB. Verify the file size before the next step.
Upload to the DV entry portal
Go to the official US State Department DV entry site (dvlottery.state.gov) during the open registration period and upload your photo for each applicant.
Both tools — the photo generator and the image size reducer — run entirely in your browser. No photo is ever uploaded to Bisnep's servers. Your DV Lottery photos stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same photo for all family members?
No. Each applicant (including spouse and all qualifying children) must have their own individual photo. Submitting a family group photo will disqualify your entry.
What if I have no white wall for the background?
Use a plain light-coloured wall or hang a white sheet behind you. Make sure there are no visible textures, patterns, or shadows. Alternatively, use a brightly lit room where the wall is naturally lighter.
Can I resubmit if my photo is rejected?
During the DV entry registration period (usually October–November), you may be able to resubmit your entry if you catch the error in time. However, once the entry period closes, disqualified entries cannot be corrected. Always double-check before submitting.
When does the DV Lottery open each year?
The DV Lottery registration period typically opens in early October and runs for approximately 30 days. Results are announced the following May. Check the official US State Department website (travel.state.gov) for the exact dates each year.