USCIS STANDARDS

Photo Requirements.

U.S. Diversity Visa photo submissions are parsed automatically by computer vision validators. Ensure compliance using the official specifications below, or use our Photo Checker to validate your image instantly.

Specification Required Standard
Image Dimensions 600 x 600 pixels (minimum) up to 1200 x 1200 pixels (maximum)
File Format JPEG / JPG only. (PNG or HEIC are not accepted)
File Size Under 240 Kilobytes (KB)
Color Space sRGB (standard color camera output)
Compression Ratio Less than or equal to 20:1 compression
Head Height 50% to 69% of the photo's total height (300 to 414 pixels)
Eye Level 56% to 69% of the height measured from the bottom of the photo
Background Plain white or light off-white. No shadows, patterns, or colors.
Glasses Strictly prohibited (No prescription glasses, no sunglasses)
Recency Taken within the last 6 months

8 Common Photo Rejection Reasons

  • Wearing Glasses: The absolute #1 reason for visa photo rejection. Glasses must be removed entirely.
  • Incorrect Crop / Head Size: Head is either too close to the camera or too far away. Use our Photo Crop Tool to fix this.
  • Non-White Background: Background is dark, has shadows, textures, patterns, or home wallpapers.
  • Shadows on Face: Heavy shadows under the nose, eyes, or behind the head on the background.
  • Non-Neutral Expression: Smiling widely, showing teeth, frowning, or blinking. Natural, neutral pose only.
  • Out of Focus / Low Quality: Blurry, pixelated, or heavily filtered images.
  • Over-exposure / Under-exposure: Photos that are too bright or too dark, changing skin tone.
  • Head/Body Rotation: Subject is tilted or facing sideways. Head must look straight at the lens.

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Correct vs. Incorrect Visual Guide

✓ Correct

Perfect Alignment

Centered, plain white background, head height fits the 50-69% ratio, neutral expression, no glasses.

✕ Shadowed Background

Background Shadows

Flash or room lighting casts shadows behind the head. Background must be plain and shadowless.

✕ Wearing Glasses

Glasses Prohibited

Even daily prescription glasses are banned. You must remove them entirely for the photograph.

✕ Head Too Close

Incorrect Proportions

Head is cropped too tightly, taking up more than 70% of the space. Ensure the head outline fits inside guides.