DV photo guide
Correct and incorrect DV photo examples
Updated . By the DV Lottery Guide editorial team.
DV Lottery Guide is an independent site and is not affiliated with the U.S. government.
A compliant DV photo is a recent color image, square, with the head at 50% to 69% of the height, on a plain white or off-white background, facing the camera, with no eyeglasses. The diagrams below are original illustrations of those written rules.
Which layout matches the rules?
What fails?
| Problem | Rule |
|---|---|
| Eyeglasses | Do not wear eyeglasses. |
| Another person, including a parent holding a baby | No other person in the photo. |
| Hat or hairline covered, except a daily religious covering | Full face visible, and no shadow from the covering. |
| Headphones or wireless earpieces | Not acceptable. |
| Driver’s license photo, snapshot, or magazine photo | Not acceptable. |
| Photo older than 6 months, or reused from an earlier entry | Must reflect current appearance. |
Check a file you already have with the free checker, or make a new 600×600 JPEG with the DV Photo Maker.
Questions
Are these official sample photos?
No. These are original diagrams of the written rules. The State Department publishes its own visa photo examples; this page does not copy those images.
Is a religious head covering allowed?
Only if it is worn daily for a religious purpose, the full face is visible, and it does not cast a shadow on the face.
Can I wear eyeglasses if I remove the glare?
No. The instructions say do not wear eyeglasses.
Sources
Photo rules on this page follow the DV-2026 instructions. Separate DV-2027 photo instructions have not been published. Entry is only at dvprogram.state.gov.