DV Lottery Photo Tool
Upload a photo or take one with your phone. We find your face, crop it to the official 600×600 format with your head and eyes in the right place, optionally make the background white, and check the result.
- Never uploaded
- Free, no sign-up
- No watermark
- Works on phones
- Works offline after one download
Works offline after one download.
Not an official tool. The U.S. Department of State decides. Official rules
Whose photo?
Spouse and children need photos too
The entry form asks for a separate photo of your spouse and of each eligible child (generally unmarried and under 21), even if they will not move with you. Leaving someone out can disqualify the entry. See the official instructions.
Children and babies: nobody else may be in the photo, not even a hand. For a baby, lay them on their back on a plain white sheet and take the photo from above. Eyes open, no toys or pacifier.
Your files are processed on your device and never uploaded.
Drag the photo to move it. Line up your head with the dashed outline and your eyes inside the green band.
Your DV photo
Your family’s photos
Upload each photo to the matching person on the entry form. Photos stay on this page only, so download them before you leave.
How to make a DV Lottery photo
- Upload a recent, front-facing photo, or tap “Take a photo” on your phone. Stand in front of a plain wall in even light.
- Your face is detected automatically. Adjust the crop with the zoom slider and by dragging so your head fits the outline and your eyes sit in the green band.
- Choose a background, press “Create DV photo”, review the checklist and download your 600×600 JPEG.
DV photo requirements we check
| Requirement | Rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) | travel.state.gov: Digital image requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Dimensions | Square, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px (600×600 recommended) | travel.state.gov: Digital image requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| File size | 240 kB or less | travel.state.gov: Digital image requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Color | 24-bit color, sRGB | travel.state.gov: Digital image requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Compression | 20:1 or less | travel.state.gov: Digital image requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Head height | 50%–69% of the image height (top of hair to chin) | travel.state.gov: Photo composition template checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Eye height | 56%–69% of the image height, measured from the bottom | travel.state.gov: Photo composition template checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| People | Exactly one person, facing the camera | travel.state.gov: Visa photo requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows Our measurement | travel.state.gov: Visa photo requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Head position | Centered (within 6% of the width), not tilted (under 5°) Our measurement | travel.state.gov: Photo composition template checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Eyeglasses | Not allowed | travel.state.gov: Visa photo requirements checked Oct 11, 2026 |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months; not reused from a previous entry | travel.state.gov: DV-2026 instructions (PDF) checked Oct 11, 2026 |
“Our measurement”: the official rule gives no exact number (for example “no shadows” or “centered”), so the limit shown is how Picsawa checks it. The State Department makes the final decision.
Why use Picsawa
- Private by designFiles are processed on your device and never uploaded.
- Free, no sign-upNo account, no watermark and no daily limits.
- Works everywherePhones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser.
About the DV Lottery Photo Tool
The official rules for the Diversity Visa entry photo are strict: a square JPEG of 600×600 pixels, 240 kB or less, 24-bit sRGB color, with the head (top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) between 50% and 69% of the image height and the eyes between 56% and 69% of the height measured from the bottom. This tool measures your face and builds the crop to hit those numbers, then saves the highest JPEG quality that fits under 240 kB.
Face detection uses an on-device model that runs inside your browser. Your photo is never uploaded, and the finished file is checked by the same validator as our DV Photo Checker, so you can see exactly which rules it passes.
If you replace the background, only the area around you changes; your face and hair are left untouched, because photos must not be altered to change your appearance.
Frequently asked questions
What size must a DV Lottery photo be?
A square JPEG between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels (600×600 is recommended), 240 kB or smaller, in 24-bit sRGB color. This tool always outputs a 600×600 JPEG under 240 kB.
How big should my head be in the photo?
From the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, your head must be 50% to 69% of the image height, and your eyes must be between 56% and 69% of the height measured from the bottom. The tool shows these limits as guides and checks them for you.
Can I take the photo with my phone?
Yes. Stand about 1 m (3 ft) away from a plain white or light wall, facing a window for even light, and ask someone to take the photo from about 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) away at eye level. Remove glasses, keep a neutral expression and look straight at the camera.
Is it allowed to change the background to white?
The rules require a plain white or off-white background and forbid altering your appearance. The background option only replaces the area behind you and does not edit your face. Taking the photo against a white wall is still the safest choice.
Is this an official U.S. government tool?
No. This tool is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, which makes the final decision on every photo. Always check the official rules at travel.state.gov before you submit.
Not an official tool. This tool is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State. The final decision is made by the Department of State. Always check the official rules at travel.state.gov.