DV Lottery Photo – Free Online Maker
Create a compliant DV Lottery (Diversity Visa) photo entirely in your browser — free, no account required, nothing uploaded to any server. The tool exports a 600×600 px JPEG under 240 KB, ready for the E-DV online entry system.
Official DV Lottery Photo Requirements
- Digital size: Exactly 600×600 pixels, JPEG format, max 240 KB
- Physical size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
- Head height: 50–69% of the total image height (chin to top of head) — this is different from US passport (70–80%)
- Background: Plain white or off-white, no patterns or shadows
- Recency:Taken within the last 6 months — NO reusing last year's photo
- Glasses: Not permitted
- Head coverings: Not permitted except for religious reasons
- Expression: Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed
- Pose: Full face from the front, looking directly at the camera
How to Make Your DV Lottery Photo
- Take or select a recent photo. Stand in front of a plain white wall in good, even lighting. Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression. Upload the photo using the tool above. The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- Adjust the crop. The tool automatically detects your face and sets the crop. Make sure your head occupies 50–69% of the image height — this is the DV Lottery standard, not the passport standard of 70–80%.
- Download the digital file. Click Download to save your 600×600 px JPEG. The file is automatically kept under 240 KB. Upload this file directly to the E-DV entry system — do not print and scan it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong pixel size. The E-DV system requires exactly 600×600 px. Submitting a photo at a different resolution (e.g. 600×800 or 300×300) will result in rejection.
- File over 240 KB. The maximum file size is 240 KB. Even a technically correct 600×600 px photo will be rejected if the file is too large. This tool compresses the JPEG automatically.
- Head size wrong percentage. Your head must occupy 50–69% of the image height — not the passport standard of 70–80%. A head that fills 75% of the frame is valid for a passport but invalid for the DV Lottery.
- Reusing last year's DV Lottery photo. The rules explicitly prohibit reusing a photo from a previous entry year. Always take a new photo for each DV Lottery registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pixel size is required for the DV Lottery photo?
The DV Lottery (Diversity Visa) system requires a digital photo of exactly 600×600 pixels in JPEG format. The physical size is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), but the digital submission must be 600×600 px. This is different from a standard print — make sure you are submitting the correct digital file.
What is the file size limit for a DV Lottery photo?
The maximum file size is 240 KB. If your photo exceeds 240 KB, the DV Lottery online system (E-DV) will reject it. This tool automatically optimizes the JPEG to stay within the 240 KB limit while maintaining the required 600×600 px resolution.
Can I reuse last year's DV Lottery photo?
No. The DV Lottery rules explicitly prohibit reusing a photo from a previous year's entry. Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance. Submitting an old photo may result in disqualification, even if the photo technically meets all other requirements.
What if my photo is rejected by the DV Lottery system?
If the E-DV system rejects your photo, check these common causes: wrong pixel dimensions (must be exactly 600×600), file size over 240 KB, wrong format (must be JPEG), head occupying less than 50% or more than 69% of the image height, or a non-white background. Correct the issue and resubmit before the entry deadline.
What is the head size requirement for the DV Lottery?
Your head (measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head) must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total image height. This is different from the US passport photo requirement (70–80%). If your head is too large or too small relative to the frame, your entry may be disqualified.
Do I need to remove glasses for a DV Lottery photo?
Yes. Glasses are not permitted in DV Lottery photos. The US Department of State banned glasses in all official photos, including DV Lottery entries. Wearing glasses will cause your photo to be rejected by the system.
Can I crop an existing photo to meet DV Lottery requirements?
You can crop an existing photo using this tool as long as the original photo was taken within the last 6 months and meets all other requirements (white background, no glasses, neutral expression, front-facing). However, you cannot submit a photo from a previous DV Lottery year, even if you crop it. Use this tool to crop, resize, and export the correct 600×600 px JPEG.