Updated 27 October 2026

US Visa and DV Lottery Photo: 600x600 Pixels, Under 240 KB (Free Photo Maker)

Quick answer: For a US visa application (DS-160), a Green Card or the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, you upload a digital photo: a square JPEG, 600 × 600 pixels, no larger than 240 KB, in colour, taken in the last six months, against a plain white or off-white background, with your head filling 50–69% of the image height. Make it free below: choose "A digital photo to upload", fit your face to the oval and download a file that meets all of these limits.

For the DV lottery the photo is critical: an entry with a photo that doesn't meet the rules is disqualified, and you may never learn that the photo was the reason. For the DS-160, a rejected photo can mean bringing a printed photo to your interview or a delay. Both are avoidable.

Passport and visa photo maker
Make a passport, visa or ID photo at the exact official size, with the head the right height, then download a file for an online application or a 4 × 6 inch sheet to print at any photo kiosk. Your photo is processed on your device and never uploaded.

Your photo never leaves this device. No upload, no sign-up, no watermark.

US Visa and DV Lottery Photo Requirements

RuleRequirement
FormatJPEG (.jpg), colour (24-bit)
DimensionsSquare; 600 × 600 pixels
File size240 KB or less
Head size50–69% of the image height, chin to top of head
BackgroundPlain white or off-white
Age of photoTaken within the last 6 months; don't reuse an old passport photo
GlassesNot allowed
EditingNo digital enhancement or changes to your appearance
Printed (if asked)2 × 2 inches, same rules

For the DV lottery, every person on the entry (you, your spouse and each child) needs their own photo meeting these rules, even children who won't immigrate.

Step by Step

  1. Take the photo against a plain white wall in daylight, glasses off, looking straight at the camera.
  2. Add it to the tool, keep "United States: visa, Green Card, DV lottery" selected and choose "A digital photo to upload".
  3. Fit your face to the oval: chin on the bottom, top of your head on the top.
  4. Check the result says "Ready to upload" and the background check is green, then download.
  5. Upload the file in the DS-160 or DV entry form. The State Department also offers its own photo tool to check a file.

Why US Visa and DV Photos Fail

  • File too large (over 240 KB) or not square: the tool fixes both.
  • Head too small or cut off at the top.
  • Off-white walls that look grey or yellow, or shadows behind the head.
  • Glasses, tinted or not.
  • Scans of old printed photos, which look grainy and are often over six months old.
  • Using the same photo as a previous DV entry: entries must have a recent photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a US visa photo in pixels?

Square, 600 × 600 pixels, as a JPEG of 240 KB or less. The tool saves exactly this.

Can I use the same photo for the DV lottery and my DS-160?

The rules are the same, so a recent photo that meets them can be used for both. For the DV lottery, don't reuse a photo from a previous year's entry.

Can I smile in a US visa photo?

Keep a neutral expression or a slight natural smile with both eyes open. Big smiles and tilted heads can lead to rejection.

Do children need a separate photo for the DV lottery?

Yes. Every family member listed on the entry needs their own individual photo.

Sources

Cite this page: Blog Digest, “US Visa and DV Lottery Photo: 600x600 Pixels, Under 240 KB (Free Photo Maker)”, updated 27 October 2026, https://randomthoughtsever.blogspot.com/2026/10/us-visa-and-dv-lottery-photo-600x600.html

Related Guides

Requirements from the US Department of State photo and DV instructions, checked in October 2026. Acceptance is at the discretion of the US embassy or consulate.