DV Green Card (US 2x2)

Requirements

• Plain white background, no shadows.
• Head (chin to crown) 50-69% of image height.
• Eye line 56-69% from the bottom.
• Neutral expression, both eyes open.
• Taken within the last 6 months.
• Glasses discouraged; banned by many authorities.

Official source ↗

How it works

Upload a head-and-shoulders phone photo; we align it, whiten the background, crop to 2x2 inç (51x51 mm) and run 12 measured checks in seconds.

Free check & preview; photos are never stored.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Stand in front of a plain white wall — the official rule bans digitally altering the photo, so a real white background is the safest choice.
2. Have someone else take the photo (no selfies); rear camera in daylight works best.
3. Look straight at the camera: neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, NO glasses (banned since November 2016).
4. Upload it to the tool above: it crops to exactly 600×600 px, measures head height (50–69%) and runs 12 measured checks.
5. Review the report, then prepare a separate photo for every family member — the DV entry is fully online, no print needed.

Most common rejection reasons

• Head size outside the 50–69% band — the single most common disqualifier.
• Shadows, patterns or objects in the background (bed, curtain, door frame).
• A photo older than 6 months, or one used in a previous DV entry.
• Glasses (banned since 2016) or hair shading the face.
• Appearance-changing digital retouching — the official rule explicitly prohibits it; this tool honestly lists every change it makes in your report.

Frequently asked questions

What are the DV lottery photo requirements?
Exactly 600×600 pixels, square JPEG, 240 KB max, plain white or off-white background, head 50–69% of image height, taken within the last 6 months. The tool on this page crops and checks all of it.

Do I need to print the DV photo?
No — the DV entry is submitted entirely online with a digital file. A printed photo may be required later at the interview stage.

Does every family member need a photo?
Yes. Your spouse and every unmarried child under 21 each need their own recent photo, even if they are not travelling.

Can I reuse last year's photo?
No — it must be taken within the last 6 months and must not have been used in a previous DV entry; reuse is grounds for disqualification.

Does this tool guarantee acceptance?
No. It is a technical pre-check against the measurable criteria (size, head ratio, background, file limits); the final decision belongs to the U.S. Department of State.

📖 Read the in-depth guide: DV photo rules — full checklist →