In 2003, the U.S. Department of State began using an electronic (digital) application format for the Diversity Visa (DV) program.
Since then, applicants have had to follow stringent Green Card picture requirements when submitting their applications to the DV Lottery.
But what’s the photo size for the DV lottery? What other rules are there?
Keep reading to learn all the essential guidelines for Green Card photos and find out how to ensure your picture gets accepted into the draw.
Learn more about photo requirements for a Green Card and travel by reading these related articles:
- How Many Passport Photos Do I Need for Green Card Application?
- Can I Travel if the Names on My Passport and Green Card Don’t Match?
- Can I Travel with a Green Card and Expired Passport?
US Green Card Photo requirements in 2026 (DV Lottery)
Preparing your photo for any official document usually involves fulfilling a specific checklist of requirements. For Green Card photos, your picture must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Show a full-frontal view of the applicant
- Meet all the specifications of US passport photos
Does this mean that you can use a passport photo for a Green Card application? Technically, yes, as long as they follow US passport photo requirements (such as the photo size for DV lottery photos) and reflect their current appearance.
Otherwise, the Department of State will automatically reject the application.
Green Card photo size
The size of the photo for the DV lottery is very specific, so be sure to follow the technical specifications provided by USCIS.
Currently, you must attach a digital photo to your application, as you can’t use analog photos. Additionally, the photo must meet the following parameters:
If you choose to get your digital picture from a scanned print:
- Photo size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches)
- Scan at 300 pixels per inch (about 11.8 pixels per millimeter)
For digitally-taken photos:
- Green Card photo size in pixel: 600×600 to 1200×1200 px
- Image file format: JPG (.jpg)
- Digital image size: max. 240 KB
Important! While you need to submit a digital image when applying to the DV program, the selectees (i.e., applicants who have been invited for an interview) must bring two identical 2×2” photos to their interview.
Photo requirements for the Green Card Lottery: the specifics
Aside from the technical specifications mentioned above, applicants must also meet these Green Card photo rules:
Your head:
- Must be centered in the picture
- Cannot be covered (unless signed documentation justifying medical or religious reasons is provided). Additionally, any religious or medical headwear cannot cover the face from the forehead to the chin
- Should occupy 50–69% of the image’s total height
How should a Green Card photo look? Check the examples below.
Green Card image in 2026: Examples
Positioning and pose:
- You must face the camera directly (no angled positions are allowed)
- You must maintain a neutral facial expression
Background and quality of a DV lottery photo:
- You must take the photo against a neutral, plain background
- Good lighting is crucial, mainly to avoid any shadows
- The image must be in color—black and white photos are not allowed
- The photo can’t be grainy, pixelated, or blurry.
Moreover, applicants are entirely forbidden to wear glasses, even if they are worn daily or used as a visual aid. However, if the individual’s glasses are indispensable and they have a medical statement signed by a doctor, they can wear them in their Green Card photo.
Snapping Green Card photos with our DV Lottery photo tool
Anyone can participate in the DV lottery, including spouses, children, or other family members. However, a separate digital photo must be submitted for each applicant.
While teenagers and adult family members follow the guidelines mentioned above, how can you take a compliant Green Card photo of your baby?
Even though the rules for infant Green Card Lottery photos are similar to the general ones, you should pay special attention that:
- The baby’s face is not covered (e.g., by hair, a hat, or other accessory)
- There is nobody behind/next to/holding up the child
- No toys or pacifiers are present in the photo
- The baby’s eyes are open in the photo
Children photos for DV lottery: Examples
Ace all Green Card/DV Lottery photo requirements by snapping your pictures with the help of Passport Photo Online’s mobile application. Available on iOS and Android, our green card photo check will ensure your photo is accepted!
FAQ
What are the requirements for a Green Card photo?
Have digital dimensions between 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels
Be saved in JPEG format and have a file size no larger than 240 KB
Follow the same guidelines as US passport photos
How do I prepare my Green Card photo?
How many pictures do you need for a Green Card interview?
Is there a fee for the DV Lottery application?
Requirements for Green Card photos: closing thoughts
Green Card photos must follow specific guidelines mandated by the US Department of State.
With its handy DV Lottery photo tool (available for download on iOS and Android), Passport Photo Online ensures that your picture meets all Green Card photo requirements in minutes.
Try us out now and see why thousands of customers trust us with their document photos.
Sources:
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.htm
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html#DV
- https://www.trustpilot.com/review/passport-photo.online
Simon Wojtyczka is a writer with experience living and working in 7 countries, each adding depth to his work. Holding a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, he has a profound grasp of language and its intricate ties to culture.
