How to make a US visa or DV lottery photo
- "United States: visa and green card lottery (DV)" is already chosen.
- Add a photo taken against a plain white or off-white wall.
- Drag and zoom so the top of the head and the chin touch the two lines.
- Tap "Make my photos", then download the 600 × 600 version for the online form, or the 2 × 2 inch photo to print.
Good to know
The head should be 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head. The visa page prints this as 22 to 35 mm (1 inch is 25.4 mm), so the guides aim for 30 mm, inside both.
The 600 × 600 version is saved as a JPG under 240 KB, as the online forms ask. Hidden details such as the location are left out.
Questions
What size is a US visa photo in pixels?
For online forms such as the DV lottery, a square JPG of 600 × 600 pixels, no bigger than 240 KB (U.S. Department of State). Printed, it is 2 × 2 inches.
What background is allowed?
Plain white or off-white, with no shadows or pattern.
Will my photo be accepted?
We size and place the photo to the official rules, but the State Department decides. Follow its rules on the background, lighting and glasses.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Your photo is placed, cropped and resized by your browser on your device. Nothing is sent to us.
Page last reviewed 21 October 2026.