DV Lottery Photo Maker — 600×600 px, Under 240 KB
The US Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery rejects entries over a photograph more often than over anything else. The State Department's specification is exact: 600 × 600 pixels, JPEG, 240 KB or less, taken within the last six months. This tool makes precisely that file — and only crops, resizes and compresses: it never retouches your photo, because a manipulated photograph can make you ineligible. Free, no sign-up, and your photo never leaves your device.
Drag & drop your photo here
or click to choose a file — JPG, PNG or WebP
🔒 Your file never leaves your device — resizing happens in your browser.
Drag the frame to move it. Drag the round corner handle to resize it — its shape stays locked to a square. Frame your head and shoulders: your head (bottom of chin to top of head) should fill about 50–69% of the frame's height, with your eyes in the upper-middle.
🔒 Your file never leaves your device.
✅ Your photo is ready
The official DV Lottery photo specification
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Exactly 600 × 600 pixels (square) |
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months — never reuse a previous year's photo |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, in the original photo |
| Head size | Head (chin to top of head) = 50–69% of the image height |
| Eye position | Eyes at 56–69% of the height, measured from the bottom |
| Pose | Facing the camera directly, neutral expression, no glasses |
These are the requirements the US State Department publishes for the Diversity Visa entry photo — the same figures quoted in the official DV instructions. One warning deserves repeating: the instructions state that a photograph that has been manipulated, or resubmitted from a previous year, may make you ineligible. That is why this tool limits itself to cropping, resizing and compressing, and why you should take the photo against a plain wall rather than editing a busy background away.
How to use
- Take a fresh photo. Within the last six months, facing the camera against a plain white or off-white wall, no glasses, no hat, neutral expression. One photo per person on your entry.
- Add it and frame your head. Drag the square frame so your head fills about 50–69% of its height — chin low in the frame, a little space above the head, shoulders visible.
- Make and download. The tool produces exactly 600 × 600 px at or under 240 KB and shows a tick when the file is within the limit. Save the JPG for your entry on dvprogram.state.gov.
DV-2027: what is different this year
The DV-2027 entry period was delayed by the State Department; as of late October 2026 the dates were still to be announced on the official site, with court-related reporting suggesting an opening around 1 November 2026. Treat only dvprogram.state.gov as authoritative for dates — and beware of look-alike sites: the official entry is filed there, and a new rule adds a small $1 entry fee payable only through the official process. New for DV-2027, entrants must also provide their passport details and upload a scan of the passport's photo page (JPEG, up to 5 MB) with the entry. Preparing your 600 × 600 photo now is safe: it simply has to be under six months old on the day you submit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact DV Lottery photo size?
The US State Department's published specification for the Diversity Visa entry photo is: JPEG format, exactly 600 × 600 pixels (square), file size 240 KB or less, taken within the last six months, against a plain white or off-white background. Your head must measure between 50% and 69% of the image height (bottom of chin to top of head), and your eyes must sit at 56–69% of the height measured from the bottom. That is exactly the preset loaded in this tool.
Can I use the same photo as last year's DV entry?
No. The DV instructions state that submitting the same photograph as a previous year's entry — or a photo older than six months — can make you ineligible. Take a fresh photo for every entry, for yourself and for each family member included on it.
Does this tool edit or retouch my photo?
No — deliberately. This tool only crops, resizes and compresses your photo to the required 600 × 600 pixels and 240 KB limit. It does not change your background, smooth skin, or alter your appearance in any way, because the DV instructions warn that a manipulated photograph can make you ineligible. If your background is not plain white or off-white, retake the photo against a plain wall instead of editing it.
When does DV-2027 registration open?
The State Department delayed the DV-2027 entry period and has said the dates will be announced on dvprogram.state.gov. Reporting around a court order in late October 2026 suggested an opening around 1 November 2026, but only the official site confirms dates — check it before relying on any date you read elsewhere, including here. Your photo can be prepared in advance: it only needs to be under six months old when you submit. Note that new rules for DV-2027 also require your passport details and a scan of your passport's photo page as part of the entry.
Do my spouse and children need photos too?
Yes. Every person listed on your entry — spouse and each derivative child — needs their own recent photograph meeting the same specification: 600 × 600 pixels, JPEG, 240 KB or less, taken within the last six months. Run each photo through this tool separately.
Is my photo uploaded to your server?
No. Everything happens inside your browser on your own device. Your photo is never sent anywhere, never stored and never seen by anyone — the sensible way to handle a personal identity photograph.
Share this tool
Entering the lottery with family or friends? They will need exactly the same photo: