Free DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Photo Checker
Upload your photo and in a few seconds see whether it meets the US State Department requirements for the Green Card lottery: size, file weight, head position, background, eyes and more.
Drop your photo here
or tap to choose a file · JPEG, PNG, HEIC from your phone
DV Lottery photo examples: correct and rejected
📏Official DV Lottery photo requirements
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| Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
|---|---|
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Dimensions | Square, 600×600 pixels |
| Color | Color only, 24-bit, sRGB |
| Head size | 50–69% of the photo height (chin to top of hair) |
| Eye height | 56–69% of the photo height from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Pose | Facing the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Editing | No filters, retouching or background replacement |
⚠️Most common photo mistakes
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- Selfie taken at arm’s length: the face is distorted and too large
- Shadow behind the head or on one side of the face
- Glasses, even with clear lenses
- Old photo or a photo used last year
- Background removed in an app: this counts as editing
- Spouse or children photographed in different conditions or not included at all
- Photo scanned from a passport or ID card
📱How to take a DV Lottery photo with your phone
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- Stand 30–50 cm (1–1.5 ft) in front of a plain white or light-grey wall.
- Ask someone else to take the photo from about 1–1.5 m away, at your eye level. Avoid selfies: they distort the face.
- Use soft, even daylight from the front. Turn off the flash and avoid shadows behind you.
- Remove glasses, hats and headphones. Hair should not cover your eyes or face.
- Look straight into the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open.
- Upload the photo above: we check it and crop it to 600×600 px under 240 KB in one tap.
👶Photos of children and babies
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Every child under 21 listed in the entry needs their own photo with the same requirements, including newborns. A baby can be photographed lying on a plain white sheet. Nobody else, not even a hand, may be visible in the photo, and the baby’s eyes should be open. A missing photo of a child is one of the most common reasons for disqualification.
🚫What happens if the photo does not meet the rules?
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The entry form only checks the file size and format. Whether the photo itself is acceptable is decided later, by a consular officer, if you are selected. A wrong photo can lead to disqualification even after winning. That is why it is worth checking the photo before you submit the entry.
⚙️How it works
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Upload a photo
From your phone or computer. The photo stays on your device.
Get a checklist
We check 15+ requirements and show what to fix.
Fix in one tap
Crop to 600×600 and compress to 240 KB without changing your appearance. Automatic preparation costs $9.
The photo is only one of the mistakes that disqualify entries
- A spouse or child not listed in the entry
- Name spelled differently from the passport
- Wrong date or country of birth
- Choosing the wrong country of eligibility
- Several entries for the same person
- Lost confirmation number, so you cannot check the result
FAQ
💸Is this DV Lottery photo checker really free?+
Yes. The photo check is completely free and needs no registration. If your photo does not fit, the site can automatically prepare it to 600×600 and 240 KB for $9. For clients who register for the lottery with us, this is free.
🔒Is my photo uploaded anywhere?+
No. All checks run inside your browser on your own device. We never see or store your photo.
🎯Does a “passed” result guarantee my photo will be accepted?+
No checker can guarantee that. The final decision is made by the US State Department. Our tool catches the most common technical mistakes, so the risk of disqualification is much lower.
📱Can I use a photo taken with my phone?+
Yes, if it is taken from about 1–1.5 meters away against a plain light wall, in even daylight, without filters. Ask someone else to take it instead of a selfie.
🎨Can I replace the background with an app?+
We do not recommend it. The rules forbid digitally altered photos. It is safer to retake the photo against a plain light wall.
👨👩👧Do my children and spouse need photos too?+
Yes. Every family member included in the entry needs their own photo meeting the same requirements, including babies.
📅When is DV Lottery registration open?+
Registration usually runs in October–November. For the current program, follow the official dvprogram.state.gov website or our Green Card page, where we post updates.
📐What size should a Green Card lottery photo be?+
Exactly 600×600 pixels, square, JPEG, no more than 240 KB. Our checker crops and compresses your photo to these specs automatically.
🛂Can I use a passport photo for the DV Lottery?+
Only if it was taken within the last 6 months and meets all digital requirements. Do not scan a printed passport photo: scans are often blurry and the head size is wrong.
🙂Can I smile in the DV photo?+
Your expression should be neutral, with your mouth closed. A natural, very light smile is usually acceptable, but a wide smile with visible teeth is not.
This is a free helper tool. It is not affiliated with the US Department of State. The final decision on photo acceptance is made only by the Department of State. Always check the official instructions at travel.state.gov.