US DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) photos must be 2 × 2 in (600 × 600 px at 300 DPI) on a plain white background, with your head taking up 50–69% of the frame, saved as a JPEG under 240 KB. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, and take your glasses off.
Last updated 2026-06-10 · Source: official US guidance
From selfie to US DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery)
Take or upload any photo. PassPix swaps the background, frames your head to the US spec, and checks every rule before you pay.
Official US DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) requirements
The exact rules PassPix checks and renders to.
- Photo size
- 2 × 2 in
- Digital resolution
- 600 × 600 px @ 300 DPI
- Background
- plain white
- Head height
- 50–69% of photo
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Max file size
- 240 KB
- Online upload
- Must be EXACTLY 600x600 px, JPEG, 240 KB or less, taken within 6 months.
Source: official US guidance
How to make a US DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) photo
- 1Pick US Passport
Choose US Passport so PassPix loads the exact State Department rules.
- 2Take or upload a photo
Use your phone or webcam in even lighting, facing the camera.
- 3Let the AI check compliance
PassPix checks head size, eye line, expression, and background live, in your browser.
- 4Download
Get a compliant 2x2 digital file plus a print-ready sheet of 6.
Everything in your photo
A compliant digital photo and the correctly sized file for online applications, with a print-ready sheet on the print option.
Your digital photo
A single compliant photo at the exact size and resolution the document needs.
Print-ready sheet
Six photos laid out on a 4×6 sheet with cut lines. Print at CVS, Walgreens or Walmart for about a dollar.
Online-upload file
Sized to the exact pixels and file-size limit of the official portal, ready to attach.
US DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) photo questions
What are the DV lottery photo requirements?
The Diversity Visa entry photo must be exactly 600 x 600 pixels, square, in JPEG format, 240 KB or smaller, with a plain white background and taken within the last 6 months.
Why do DV lottery photos get rejected?
The most common reasons are wrong pixel dimensions, file size over 240 KB, reusing a recent entry's photo, or a non-white background. PassPix renders to exactly 600x600 under 240 KB automatically.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Since 2016 the US State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos except in rare documented medical cases.
What background does a US passport photo need?
A plain white or off-white background with no shadows, patterns, or objects behind you. PassPix removes and replaces your background automatically.