Information current as of April 8, 2026. The situation with the DV Lottery is changing dynamically. Always check the latest information at travel.state.gov and dvprogram.state.gov (the only official site for registration and result checking).
Photo requirements for the Green Card lottery (DV Lottery) and U.S. visas for 2026: exact technical specifications from the Department of State, common mistakes that lead to disqualification, free online tools to check photos, how to take the photo yourself at home, requirements for children and infants, what’s new for DV-2027 (passport + $1), current program status and key dates.
What’s happening with the DV Lottery right now
Navigation for all guides - knowledge base.
Before going into photo requirements — important context about the current program status.
On December 18, 2025, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) suspended the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV Lottery) program. The Secretary of Homeland Security, at the President’s direction, ordered USCIS to immediately stop processing DV program entries.
On December 23, 2025 the Department of State officially announced the immediate suspension of DV visa issuance. Applicants may continue to attend interviews; scheduled appointments remain in place — however, visas will not be issued during this period. No exceptions.
The program is suspended, not cancelled. The DV Lottery was created by federal law (INA Section 203(c)), and permanent cancellation would require an act of Congress. An administrative suspension is a temporary measure.
Status of DV-2027: As of April 8, 2026 registration for DV-2027 is NOT open. We did not find an official confirmed start date on the Department of State pages we reviewed — the Department previously said it would announce dates “later.” New rules take effect on April 10, 2026, after which registration could technically open, but there is no confirmation. Follow ONLY the program’s official page.
April 2026 Visa Bulletin and DV: The April 2026 Visa Bulletin applies to the ongoing DV-2026 (shows cut-off numbers for current cases). It is NOT an announcement of a new DV-2027 drawing. The bulletin is a working document for the current cycle.
What’s new in the DV-2027 rules
On March 11, 2026 the Department of State published the final rule in the Federal Register (effective April 10, 2026):
When registering you must provide data from a valid passport (name, number, country of issuance, expiration date) AND upload a scan of the biographical page and the signature page (JPEG or JFIF format, up to 5 MB). Previously a passport was not required. This measure targets duplicate entries — in FY2025 2.5 million duplicate entries were detected. Exceptions: stateless persons and nationals of countries where obtaining a passport is objectively impossible.
For the first time in 30+ years of the program, registration is fee-based. The amount is symbolic but nonrefundable. Payment is made at the time of registration through the official site. If you win — the visa fee is separate ($330).
The field "Gender" is replaced by "Sex" (biological sex). The field "Age" is replaced by "Date of Birth." Technical photo requirements are NOT changed.
Litigation: In March 2026, 1,622 DV-2026 selectees from 72 countries filed a lawsuit (Ivanov v. Trump) demanding resumption of visa processing before the September 30, 2026 deadline. Watch for outcomes — if the court grants relief, DV visa processing could resume.
How to pay $1 from Russia (and other countries with blocked cards)
Russian Visa and Mastercard cards have not worked for international payments since March 2022. Mir cards are not accepted on dvprogram.state.gov. But you can pay the $1 — and it’s not difficult.
Important: The card does NOT have to belong to the applicant. By Department of State rules, anyone can pay the $1 — a friend, relative, or colleague with a foreign card. The card is used only for the payment and is not tied to the application.
Option 1: Foreign bank card (best option)
The most reliable way is to open a card in a country where international payments work:
| Country | Banks | Can it be opened remotely? |
|---|---|---|
| Kyrgyzstan | mBank, Bakai Bank | Yes — fully remotely via an agent by power of attorney. The card is sent to a Russian address |
| Kazakhstan | Kaspi, Freedom Bank | Partially — often requires in-person presence |
| Armenia | Ameriabank, Ardshinbank | Partially remote |
| Georgia | Bank of Georgia, TBC | Usually requires presence |
mBank (Kyrgyzstan) — the most popular option among Russians. You can open it completely remotely, top it up from Russian bank apps (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa) in rubles, and convert to dollars within the app. The cost to open via an intermediary: ~$30-50 one-time, after which the card works for any international payments.
Option 2: Ask someone abroad
If a friend, relative, or colleague has a foreign card — ask them to pay the $1 during registration. This is fully legal under program rules.
Option 3: Services that make foreign payments
There are Russian services that perform payments abroad using their cards for a commission. Risky — make sure the service is reputable.
Fraudsters around the DV Lottery — be careful!
1. "Registration help for $10-150" — hundreds of sites offer to register you. The Department of State warns: the only legitimate site is dvprogram.state.gov. Intermediaries may submit incorrect data or submit multiple entries (= disqualification)
2. "You won — pay a fee" — if you receive an email/letter claiming you won and asking for payment — it’s 100% fraud. The Department of State never sends notifications. Results are checked ONLY on dvprogram.state.gov
3. "We’ll pay the $1 for you for $10-30" — giving a stranger access to your registration process is risky. Better pay yourself or ask a trusted person
Source: State Department Fraud Warning
Key dates
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Registration for DV-2026 | October–November 2024 (closed) |
| DV-2026 results | May 3, 2025 (published) |
| DV-2026 status checking | dvprogram.state.gov — until September 30, 2026 |
| Deadline for DV-2026 visas | September 30, 2026 (firm, not extendable) |
| DV program suspension | From December 18–23, 2025 — in effect |
| Registration for DV-2027 | Not open, date not announced |
| New rule (passport + $1) | Effective April 10, 2026 |
Why a photo is required and where it’s used
A photo is required at several stages of the process:
- When registering for the lottery — a digital photo is uploaded to the application on dvprogram.state.gov. Without a compliant photo the application will not be accepted
- When completing the DS-160 (visa application after winning) — a digital photo is uploaded to the form
- At the consular interview — 2 identical printed copies of the photo are required
Who needs a photo
A separate photo is required for EACH family member:
- The principal applicant
- The spouse in a legal marriage
- ALL unmarried children from 0 to 21 years old
- ALL children from previous marriages (both yours and your spouse’s) — even if the child does not live with you and does not plan to go to the U.S. This is a program requirement.
Each photo must be a separate file; the requirements are the same as for adults.
Technical requirements for the digital photo
Requirements are set by the U.S. Department of State and are the same for the DV Lottery, DS-160 visa photos and all other immigrant visas.
Format and size
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) only. PNG, GIF and other formats are not accepted — convert to JPEG |
| Image dimensions | 600x600 px — the recommended and safe size for the DV Lottery. The Department page allows a range of 600–1200 px, but the official Photo Tool crops to 600x600 and DV instructions indicate this size. Use 600x600 for reliability |
| File size | No more than 240 KB |
| Color | Full color (24-bit, sRGB). Black-and-white photos are NOT accepted |
Face and head
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Head size | 50–69% of photo height (chin to crown = 22–35 mm when printed) |
| Eye position | 56–69% from the bottom of the photo (28–35 mm from the bottom when printed) |
| Scanning a printed photo | If scanning from paper: size 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), resolution 300 dpi |
| Gaze direction | Directly at the camera, no tilts or turns |
| Facial expression | Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed. A slight smile is allowed; a broad smile with an open mouth is not |
Background and lighting
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Background | Solid white or nearly white. Gray, blue, beige — rejection. Patterns and textures — rejection |
| Lighting | Even, without harsh shadows on face or background |
| Quality | Sharp, no pixelation, blur, glare, under- or overexposure |
| Red-eye | Not allowed |
Prohibited
| What is prohibited | Why |
|---|---|
| Glasses (any) (since November 2016) | Cause glare, obscure eyes. Exception: medical prescription |
| Head coverings | Exception: for religious reasons, but the face from forehead to chin must be fully visible |
| Retouching and filters | Any digital alteration changing appearance |
| Photos older than 6 months | Appearance must reflect current look |
| Using a photo from a previous lottery | Leads to APPLICATION DISQUALIFICATION |
| Foreign objects or people | Only the applicant in the frame, on a white background |
| Sunglasses | Cover the eyes |
| Uniform/military camouflage clothing | Prohibited. Wear everyday clothing only |
| Headphones and headsets | Completely prohibited |
Why are requirements so strict?
1. National security — the photo is used for identification at all stages of the process
2. Automation — initial checks are performed by a computer program based on ICAO standards (International Civil Aviation Organization). If a photo fails any parameter the application can be automatically rejected
Requirements for the printed photo (for the interview)
Lottery winners invited to an interview must bring 2 identical printed copies:
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 2x2 inches (51x51 mm / ~5x5 cm) |
| Paper | Quality photo paper (matte or glossy) |
| Content | Identical to the digital version |
| Head size | 1–1.375 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown |
| Eye position | 1.125–1.375 inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom edge |
Photos of children and infants
For infants: The child’s face should not be covered (by hair, hat, accessories). No other people in the frame — including hands or shoulders of the person holding the child. It is acceptable to photograph the child lying on their back on a white/light surface. Eyes open if possible. Neutral expression (difficult for babies, but try).
Free tools to check photos
Official Department of State tool
Photo Tool (travel.state.gov) — the only official Department of State tool.
Important to understand: the official Photo Tool is a CROPPER, not a validator. It allows you to rotate, crop and save the photo as a 600x600 square. But it DOES NOT check image quality, background, facial expression, presence of glasses and other parameters. The Department explicitly states: "The photo tool is designed to assist you in cropping your photo. The final decision about whether a photo meets requirements rests with the Department of State." In other words, a free official full validator does NOT exist. All "validators" below are unofficial.
Unofficial third-party checking services
All services below are unofficial. They can help detect obvious errors but DO NOT guarantee acceptance by the Department of State.
| Service | What it does | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dvchecker.com | Automatic check of format, size, background, proportions | Free, fast |
| dvlotteryphotochecker.com | Checks format, size, background, face | Free |
| 64tools.com/tools/dv-lottery | Check + convert to 600x600 JPEG | Free |
| aipassportphoto.com | AI check of face and head position | Basic check free |
| photoaid.com | DV Lottery photo checker, AI check + option for human review | Basic check free |
| passportphoto.online | AI verification + expert check separately | Basic check free |
Mobile app
App 7ID (from Visafoto developers) — free for iOS and Android. Analyzes format, background, photo quality and eye position.
Paid services with a guarantee
If you want a guarantee of acceptance: Visafoto.com, PhotoGov.net, epassportphoto.com ($7–15, AI processing + expert review).
Tool comparison
| Service | Price | What it is | Auto-processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| tsg.phototool.state.gov | Free | Official Department of State cropper. Cropping only, NOT validation | Cropping only |
| dvchecker.com | Free | Unofficial validator. Checks size, format, background | No (checks only) |
| photogov.net | Free / $3–5 | AI processing: background replacement, cropping. Free queue available | Yes |
| epassportphoto.com | $7–15 | AI + human expert review | Yes + guarantee |
| Visafoto.com | Paid | AI correction + automated processing | Yes |
Recommendation: Check on an unofficial validator (more details), then finally — on the official Photo Tool. If the official tool accepts it — the photo is acceptable.
How to take a correct photo yourself
You can take it at home with a smartphone — modern cameras provide sufficient quality. But not every phone photo will be accepted.
Common misconception: "I took it on my phone — so it will be fine." The Department of State explicitly states that snapshots and low-quality mobile photos are not acceptable. A phone photo can be acceptable if you meet ALL requirements (background, lighting, size, format). But a quick selfie on the go is almost guaranteed rejection.
If unsure — go to a photo studio that does ID photos. They know the requirements.
Stand 1–2 meters from a smooth white wall. Light source should be IN FRONT of you (from a window or lamp), not behind. There should be no shadows on the wall.
Remove glasses, head coverings, headphones. Wear clothing that contrasts with the white background (not a white shirt). A beard is allowed if it is your usual style.
Camera at face level, distance 1–2 meters. Look straight into the lens. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. Ask someone to take the photo or use a timer. Take 5–10 variants.
Open in any editor (even the phone’s built-in). Crop to a square 600x600–1200x1200 px. Head = 50–69% of height. DO NOT apply filters.
Upload to the official Photo Tool. If accepted — save as JPEG (up to 240 KB).
Common mistakes: summary
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Photo is not square (not 1:1) | Automatic rejection |
| Format not JPEG | Automatic rejection |
| Size > 240 KB or < 600x600 px | Automatic rejection |
| Photo from a previous lottery | DISQUALIFICATION |
| Photo with glasses | Rejection |
| Non-white background | Rejection |
| Retouching, filters | Rejection |
| Photo older than 6 months | Rejection |
| Head covering (not religious) | Rejection |
| Shadows on face or background | Rejection |
| Open-mouth smile | Rejection |
| Red-eye | Rejection |
What to do if you won DV-2026
Critical situation: The DV program is suspended. By law DV visas cannot be carried over — all DV-2026 visas MUST be issued by September 30, 2026, otherwise they expire permanently.
- If you are IN the U.S.: file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- If you are ABROAD: consular processing is frozen for 75 countries. Monitor the Department of State visa news
- Status check: dvprogram.state.gov — until September 30, 2026
- Consult an immigration attorney about options during the freeze
Practical tips
Any other sites claiming that registration is open or offering "registration help for a fee" are scams. Registration is ONLY on dvprogram.state.gov.
When registration opens, the window may be short (2–3 weeks instead of the usual month). Have a ready photo.
If you do not have a passport — start the process now. In some countries it takes months.
No email or postal notifications. Check results ONLY at dvprogram.state.gov. Any "congratulatory" messages are fraud.
Official sources (only they have legal force)
The English version of the instructions is the only official one. The Department of State publishes translations of DV instructions into other languages, but marks them as "unofficial translation." In any discrepancy between a Russian/other translation and the English original — ONLY the English text has legal force.
| What | Link |
|---|---|
| Official registration and results checking site | dvprogram.state.gov |
| Photo requirements (general) | travel.state.gov/photos |
| Digital photo requirements | Digital Image Requirements |
| Official Photo Tool (cropper) | tsg.phototool.state.gov |
| DV Program page | Diversity Visa Program |
| Visa news | Visa News |
| Fraud warning | Fraud Warning |
Result checking: DV Lottery winners DO NOT receive notifications by email, SMS or mail. Results are checked ONLY via Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov. Any "congratulatory" messages are fraud.
FAQ
Can I use a passport photo?
Only if it meets ALL requirements: square, white background, no glasses, taken within 6 months, not used in a previous entry. Passport photos are often rectangular — most likely will not fit.
Can I have a beard in the photo?
Yes, if a beard is your usual style. Make sure the beard does not obscure facial contours.
Are black-and-white photos accepted?
No. Full color only (24-bit, sRGB).
Why can’t I smile?
A neutral expression is required under ICAO standards. A slight closed-mouth smile is acceptable; a broad open-mouth smile is not.
Is the DV Lottery permanently cancelled?
No. The program was created by federal law (INA Section 203(c), Immigration Act of 1990). Cancellation requires an act of Congress. The current suspension is administrative. New rules for DV-2027 have already been published.
Will DV-2027 registration be free?
No. For the first time a $1 fee (nonrefundable) is introduced. Also for the first time a scan of a valid passport is required. Both changes take effect April 10, 2026.
Is a photo required for children who will not travel to the U.S.?
Yes. A photo is required for ALL unmarried children under 21 — including children from previous marriages of either spouse, even if the child does not live with you and will not go to the U.S.
Disclaimer: Information current as of April 8, 2026. The DV Lottery program is administered according to U.S. Department of State rules, which may change at any time. Check current information at dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov. This page is not legal advice.