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DV Lottery Photo Checker & Tool

Prepare a compliant DV lottery photo from home. Upload a selfie, receive an AI pre-check and expert review, then download a 600 × 600 px file ready for the E-DV portal.

Start with a photo

AI checkedExpert verifiedExpert refinementRefund guarantee
DV Lottery photo preparation example with four matching copies

Photo specifications

Size
600 × 600 px minimum, up to 1200 × 1200 px, square
File size
Under 240 KB
Background
Plain white or off-white
Head height
50–69% of frame height (about 1 to 1 3/8 in)
Eye line
Within the 56–69% band from the bottom
Output
600 × 600 px digital JPEG; 2 × 2 in print-ready sheet

DV lottery photo guide

DV Lottery Photo Requirements

Create a compliant DV lottery photo with a recent, unaltered image on a plain white or off-white background. The Diversity Visa entry system can accept a non-compliant photo with no error message and reject the entry later during review, so getting every measurement right matters more here than for almost any other document photo.

Contents
  1. 1. DV lottery photo requirements
  2. 2. Who PhotoOmni is for
  3. 3. How the DV Lottery Photo Tool works
  4. 4. 5 tips for taking a DV lottery photo at home
  5. 5. Common reasons DV lottery photos are rejected
  6. 6. PhotoOmni compared with other options

DV lottery photo requirements

These 6 core requirements are summarized for quick reference. Always confirm against the current DV Program instructions before you submit your entry.

Official source: U.S. Department of State — Diversity Visa Program instructions

Photo size
600 × 600 px minimum, up to 1200 × 1200 px, perfectly square
File size
Under 240 KB, JPEG format
Background
Plain white or off-white, without shadows
Age of photo
Taken within the last 6 months, and never used in a prior year's entry
Expression
Neutral expression, both eyes open, no head covering except for documented religious or medical reasons
Editing
No glasses, filters, or AI-based retouching or beauty smoothing

Who PhotoOmni is for

PhotoOmni supports 3 common DV lottery photo situations.

New DV entries

Prepare a compliant photo before the October–November registration window closes.

Family member entries

Every included spouse and child under 21 needs their own separate DV lottery photo — prepare each one individually.

Re-checking a previous photo

If your photo was flagged, rejected, or you're unsure whether it will pass, run it through our DV lottery photo checker before you resubmit.

How PhotoOmni's DV Lottery Photo Tool works

Upload a photo, use our DV lottery photo checker for an AI and expert compliance test, then download your files.

Step 1

Photo upload

Upload one selfie or take a new photo with your phone for your DV lottery test photo.

Step 2

AI + expert compliance check

Our tool checks size, framing, head position, background, and lighting against DV Program specifications; an expert reviews and refines the result when needed before delivery.

Step 3

Get your digital photo file

Download the 600 × 600 px digital file plus a print-ready 2 × 2 in sheet.

5 tips for taking a DV lottery photo at home

Use these 5 tips before you upload your photo to check it against DV lottery requirements.

  • Face the camera directly and keep your head straight.
  • Use soft, even front-facing light against a plain white wall.
  • Leave space around your head and shoulders for the required crop.
  • Keep both eyes open with a neutral, natural expression.
  • Remove glasses, hats, headphones, and any non-religious head covering.

Common reasons DV lottery photos are rejected

DV lottery photo review is unusually strict because the system can silently disqualify an entry rather than returning an error.

Accepted and rejected DV Lottery photo examples showing size, background, glasses, and prior-photo-use errors.
  • The file isn't a perfect square, is under 600 px, or exceeds the 240 KB limit.
  • Head height falls outside the 50–69% frame range.
  • The background isn't plain white or off-white, or shows shadows.
  • Glasses, filters, beauty smoothing, or other AI edits are detected.
  • The same photo was used in a previous year's DV lottery entry.

PhotoOmni vs. online tools vs. photo studios

PhotoOmni combines at-home upload, an AI-powered DV lottery photo check, expert review, and 2 output files.

  • Convenience

    PhotoOmni
    Upload from home in minutes
    Other online tools
    Usually online
    Traditional photo studios
    Requires a store visit

  • Peace of mind

    PhotoOmni
    AI pre-check plus expert approval
    Other online tools
    May lack expert review, or charge extra for it
    Traditional photo studios
    Depends on local staff

  • Expert adjustments

    PhotoOmni
    Included when needed
    Other online tools
    Varies by service
    Traditional photo studios
    Usually retake-based

  • Ready-to-use files

    PhotoOmni
    Digital photo plus print-ready sheet
    Other online tools
    May be limited or extra
    Traditional photo studios
    Digital copy may not be included

  • Rejection protection

    PhotoOmni
    100% refund for photo-caused rejection
    Other online tools
    Policy varies
    Traditional photo studios
    Policy varies by shop

  • Total price & inclusions

    PhotoOmni
    One-time fee of $5.99
    Other online tools
    Add-ons can cost $3–$10+
    Traditional photo studios
    Often $15+; files vary

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free DV lottery photo checker?
Our AI runs an initial DV lottery photo check at no cost so you can see whether your photo is on track. Downloading the final compliant file, with expert review included, requires the one-time fee.
How do I check a photo for DV lottery before I submit my entry?
Upload your photo to our DV lottery photo tool. It measures head height, eye position, background, and file size against the official specifications, then flags anything that needs fixing.
What is the correct DV lottery photo size?
A square JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, under 240 KB.
Can I use a selfie as my DV lottery visa photo?
Yes, as long as it's unedited, taken within the last 6 months, and meets the background, head-size, and expression requirements — our tool checks all of these.
Does every family member need a separate DV lottery photo?
Yes. The principal applicant, spouse, and each child under 21 included in the entry each need their own individual photo.
Can I reuse last year's DV lottery photo?
No. Reusing a photo from a previous year's entry is grounds for disqualification, even if it still meets the size and background requirements.
What if my DV lottery photo is rejected?
If a photo we delivered caused a rejection, PhotoOmni offers a 100% refund.
How do I adjust my photo in the DV lottery photo tool on my phone?
On a phone, upload your selfie or take a new photo — no manual cropping or pinch-zooming needed. PhotoOmni adjusts the head size, position, and crop, and checks the background and lighting against DV Program specifications in your mobile browser. If anything doesn't meet the requirements, an expert reviews and refines it before your final file is ready to download.

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Real feedback from some PhotoOmni customers

“I wanted a real person to check my DV Lottery photo before submitting it. PhotoOmni's expert was thorough and professional, especially with the background and framing requirements.”
Amina Hassan
“The expert review was the most helpful part. They spotted a small head-positioning issue I would never have noticed myself and adjusted the photo for me.”
Michael Carter
“The requirements for DV Lottery photos are strict, so having an experienced expert review mine gave me much more confidence. They caught a subtle issue and helped me get the photo ready for submission.”
Daniel Okafor

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