Photo requirements guides

U.S. Diversity Visa entry photo (digital)

Intended use

Digital photo for an electronic Diversity Visa (DV) program entry.

Output produced by BrainDV

Dimensions

600 × 600 pixels

Side length stated by the source

600 to 600 pixels

File limits

Format

JPEG

Maximum file size

240 kB

Composition

Head height (chin to top of head)

50% to 69% of image height

Eye height, measured from the bottom edge

56% to 69% of image height

Background

Plain white or off-white

Eyeglasses

Not allowed

Religious head covering

Allowed for religious reasons, as described by the source; the full face must be visible

Photo age

Taken within the last 6 months

Known limitations

• The DV-2026 instructions state exactly 600x600 px; the visa composition template accepts 600 to 1200 px. Output uses 600x600, which satisfies both.
• 240 kB is read as 240 x 1024 bytes; confirm the authority's kB definition at next review. Encoder targets a 5% safety margin.
• Eye height range comes from the visa composition template, not the DV instructions.
• Instructions for the current DV program year have not been re-checked against the DV-2026 text.

Sources

Authority: U.S. Department of State

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
• https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2026-Instructions-Translations/DV%202026%20Plain%20Language%20Instructions%20and%20FAQs.pdf
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-composition-template.html

Sources retrieved on October 17, 2026

This profile has not yet been reviewed by a person against its sources. Next review due January 17, 2027.