The State Department must publish the DV-2027 instructions by 29 October 2026. Until then, these are the latest official rules: the DV-2026 instructions and the DV regulations, updated in March 2026. We’ll check this page against the new instructions the day they come out.
The file rules
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Shape and size | Square, exactly 600 × 600 pixels |
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| Colour | Colour, not black and white |
These are stricter than US visa photos, which can be up to 1200 pixels.
Source: Diversity Visa Instructions for DV-2026, Federal Register (opens in new tab).
The photo rules
- Taken within the last six months.
- Facing the camera, with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- Plain white or off-white background.
- No glasses.
- No hats or head coverings, except for religious reasons, with the face fully visible.
- One photo each for you, your spouse and each unmarried child under 21.
Sources: the DV-2026 instructions, and 22 CFR 42.33 as amended on 11 March 2026 (91 FR 11891) (opens in new tab).
Head size
Your head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, must be between 50% and 69% of the photo’s height. In a 600 px photo, that’s 300 to 414 px. The instructions give no exact eye position, so centre your face and check by eye.
How to check your photo
- Open the DV lottery photo checker.
- Add the photo you plan to use. The checker reads the file and lists each rule it passes or fails. Nothing is uploaded.
- If something fails, press Fix it. The maker crops it square, sizes it to 600 × 600 and saves it under 240 KB.
- Check the framing by eye, then save.
When to enter
A US court has ordered the State Department to open DV-2027 entries by 1 November 2026, for 30 days (Fragomen summary (opens in new tab)). Dates can still change, so check dvprogram.state.gov. Enter only on that official site. Entry costs a $1 registration fee, paid on that site (90 FR 44524 (opens in new tab)). Anyone asking for more to enter is not the State Department.
You also need your passport: its details and a scan of the photo and signature page, as a JPEG (no PDF) up to 5 MB (91 FR 11891 (opens in new tab)). A few people are exempt, such as stateless entrants. If your scan is a PDF, turn it into a JPG with PDF to JPG.
Tip
Check the photo for every person in your entry, including your spouse and each child. One bad photo can disqualify the whole entry.
Questions
Can I wear glasses in my DV photo?
No. The DV rules (22 CFR 42.33) don't allow eyeglasses, sunglasses or anything else that blocks the view of the face.
Can I use the same photo as last year?
No. The photo must be taken within the last six months, and the DV-2026 instructions warned that reusing a photo from an earlier year's entry may make you ineligible.
Do my children need their own photos?
Yes. You need a photo of your spouse and each unmarried child under 21, even if they won't move with you. Leave out anyone who is already a US citizen or permanent resident.
Does ReadyFile check my face and head size?
No. The checker reads the file (size, KB, format, colour), and you check the framing by eye. Software that claims to approve your face can't promise the State Department will.