How to Check Photo for a Green Card (Best Practices for Approval)

Applying for a Green card can be a momentous event in your life. So make sure you know that you’ll get approval from the US government. Usually, it comes down to the Green card photo, and there are a lot of requirements. Start here to find out the best practices for approval and how to check your photo for a Green card.

Last update:3/27/2025

Table of Contents

1 Why Check a Photo for a Green Card?

2 How to check a photo for the Green Card Lottery online?

3 Green Card Lottery Photo Tool: Take the Perfect Photo at Home in a Few Simple Steps

4 Green Card Photo Requirements

5 What is the Photo Size for the Green Card Lottery?

6 Where to Get Photos for a Green Card Near Me?

7 Take Your Green Card Photo With Your Phone (Photo Checked)

8 Summary

9 FAQs

Why Check a Photo for a Green Card?

If you’ve started a Green card application, it’s really important that you understand all the surrounding facts. Especially when you’re thinking about getting a photo for a Green card.

This is because the photo is a vital part of the Green card application. If that photo is not compliant with US government regulations, your application will likely be rejected.

One of the ways you can make sure you’ve got a compliant photo is to check the photo for your Green card application. You can do this through these ways:

Green card photo checker
Compare your photo to the requirements
Use ‘Smartphone iD’ to check a photo for a Green card

The ‘Smartphone iD’ app can be the simplest way to check your photo for a Green card. This is because the whole process is bundled into one application. We use artificial intelligence as well as our in-house experts to certify your Green card photos.

No wonder governments approve our photos. If not, we’ll give you a full refund.

How to check a photo for the Green Card Lottery online?

Getting your photo right is one of the most important steps for a successful Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery application. A photo that does not meet the official requirements can lead to disqualification. To ensure your photo is compliant, follow these steps:

1. Understand the official requirements

The U.S. Department of State provides strict guidelines for visa and DV Lottery photos. These requirements cover factors such as background, lighting, facial position, and image quality. Before submitting your application, review the official photo specifications on the State Department’s website to avoid mistakes.

2. Use our real-time DV Lottery photo checker

Instead of uploading a pre-existing photo that might not meet the official criteria, use our AI-powered DV Lottery Photo Tool. Key features include:

Real-time assistance – The tool guides you through the process, providing instant feedback to help you meet the exact DV Lottery photo standards.

Automated verification – AI technology checks your photo for lighting, background, face positioning, and overall compliance.

Human review for 100% accuracy – For added assurance, our experts manually review your photo to guarantee compliance before submission.

Bonus Tip: Key checks to perform yourself

Even with AI assistance, it’s always good to double-check your photo to ensure it meets these essential requirements:

Lighting: Avoid harsh shadows and glare; the photo should have even lighting.
Focus: The image must be sharp and clear, without blurriness.
Background: The backdrop should be plain white or off-white, free of patterns or objects.
Head position: Your head must be centered and within the correct size proportions.
Facial features: Ensure your full face is visible, with a neutral expression.
No accessories: Remove hats, head coverings (unless for religious reasons), and any distracting accessories. Hair should be behind your shoulders for clear visibility.

Green Card Lottery Photo Tool: Take the Perfect Photo at Home in a Few Simple Steps

Set Up Your Phone
Use our built-in DV Lottery Photo Checker tool. For best results, place your phone on a tripod or ask a friend to assist with the photo.
Follow Dress Code & Guidelines
Wear appropriate clothing and maintain a neutral facial expression. Make sure your appearance meets official requirements.
Take the Photo
Capture a high-quality image using a plain white or off-white background — our tool will guide you through the process.
Let the Tool Work Its Magic
Our AI-powered DV Lottery Photo Tool automatically crops, resizes, and adjusts the background to meet official specifications.
Expert Review
A real human expert will verify your photo and provide feedback if any adjustments are needed.
Get Your Approved Photo
Once approved, you’ll receive your compliant image directly by email — ready to submit with your DV Lottery application.

More on the Green Card Photo specification

Green Card Photo Requirements

If you think you’ve got what it takes to capture your own compliant Green card photos, consider all the points below to improve your chance of a successful application.

Photo Quality

If you take your own photo, the photo must be sharp with no visible pixels or printing errors.

Your Appearance

Ensure your face is entirely visible in the photo
No deep shadows or glaring lights should obscure your face
Head coverings and hats are forbidden except for medical or religious reasons

Your Posture

Keep a neutral expression for the photo
Face the camera directly on and center yourself in the frame
Make sure your eyes are clearly visible

Clothing & Accessories

Wear daily clothing (uniforms not allowed, except for religious attire).
No hats/head coverings unless for religious reasons (must not cast shadows).
No accessories (headphones, wireless devices, eyeglasses not allowed; hearing aids permitted).

Remember that you need to comply with every single requirement or your Green card photo will not be acceptable to the United States government.

What is the Photo Size for the Green Card Lottery?

There is quite a lot of information to digest, concerning the sizing of the Green card photo. But if you follow all of the guidance, you’re likely to make a successful application for a Green card.

For a US Green card photo, these are the size requirements:

A Green card photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches in size
In the Green card photo, your head must be centred and between 1 inch and 1.4 inches in size

If you’re using the online application upload service:

The photo must be in JPEG (.jpg) format
Your photo file size must be equal to or less than 240 kilobytes
The photo must be in a square aspect ratio, so the height and width are the same
Your photo must be 600×600 pixels in dimension

If you scan a physical photo for online upload:

Your photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches
Make sure the scan resolution is 300 pixels per inch (ppi) or 12 pixels per millimeter

Don’t worry if you’re feel overwhelmed by all this. There are lots of tools and apps that can help you. Check out our comparisons below.

Where to Get Photos for a Green Card Near Me?

If you want a face-to-face Green card photo service, your best bet will be to contact large convenience stores or pharmacies. However, certain stores only provide photo services in select locations.

To avoid disappointment, contact the store or find information on their website about which locations provide photo services.

Here are a few places that offer a Green card photo service:

Walmart
UPS
Bartell’s
Staples
Walgreens
CVS

All of these places have varying prices, from about $7 all the way to $20 for Green card photos. Bear in mind that these will not be digital photos which are necessary for certain documents (online Green card application).

Not got time to make it for a photo before closing hours?

Check out ‘Smartphone iD’. More information below

Take Your Green Card Photo With Your Phone (Photo Checked)

Drop the hassle when you’re going for a Green card photo. There’s no need to get stuck in traffic, you can take pre-approved Green card photos from the comfort of your home.

Here’s how:

Use our online passport photo tool for quick and easy passport photo clicking the “Take a Photo” button.
Take a photo using the app, ‘Smartphone iD‘ will guide you through the process
Select which country you want to produce a photo for USA
Select which document type you want the photo for (Green card)
Receive photos digitally via email, once our biometrics experts approve them
Use these digital copies to print them yourself. Or, you can use our printing service, to make it even easier

We can offer you all this for a inexpensive price, which includes unlimited use of your digital photos. So if you need to apply for other documentation, you’re sorted!

Summary

Whilst there are plenty of apps out there to choose from, getting a professional service will make the difference when you apply for a Green card. You can be sure that ‘Smartphone iD‘ fully complies with US government photo requirements.

FAQs

How can I check if my photo is good for the DV Lottery?

You can check your DV Lottery photo by using an online photo verification tool like ours, which provides real-time feedback based on official U.S. State Department guidelines. The tool analyzes background, lighting, facial position, and photo dimensions to ensure compliance.

Can I smile in a Green Card photo?

No, you must maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions can lead to rejection.

What photos are rejected for a Green Card?

Photos may be rejected for several reasons, including incorrect background color, shadows on the face, improper head positioning, overexposure, underexposure, poor focus, excessive editing, wearing glasses, and using outdated photos (older than six months).

Which app is best for taking a DV Lottery photo?

The Smartphone iD app is an excellent choice for taking compliant DV Lottery photos. It uses AI-powered verification to ensure your photo meets all official requirements, providing a human review for added accuracy.

Can I take a DV photo with my phone?

Yes, you can take your DV Lottery photo using a smartphone. Make sure to use a high-resolution camera, stand in front of a plain white or off-white background, and follow official guidelines for lighting and head positioning.

Do I need a photo for each family member included in my DV Lottery application?

Yes, a separate recent photo is required for every eligible family member listed on your DV Lottery application, including your spouse and children.

What should I wear for my DV Lottery photo?

Wear normal, everyday clothing in a solid color that contrasts with the white background. Avoid uniforms, hats, or head coverings (except for religious reasons).

Can I take my baby’s DV Lottery photo at home?

Yes, you can take your baby’s photo at home. Lay them on a plain white sheet or use a white background while ensuring their eyes are open, head is centered, and there are no shadows. No hands or objects should be visible in the photo.

What happens if my photo does not meet the requirements?

If your photo fails to meet official requirements, your DV Lottery application may be disqualified. Using an AI-powered photo checker can help you verify compliance before submission.

Where can I get a compliant DV Lottery photo?

You can use our online DV Lottery photo tool, visit a professional photographer, or go to a pharmacy photo service that provides official U.S. visa and passport photos.

Can I change my DV Lottery photo after submission?

No, once you submit your DV Lottery application, you cannot change or update the photo. Make sure your photo meets the requirements before submitting your application.

How to convert a normal photo into DV Lottery size?

You can use a DV Lottery photo resizing tool to adjust your image to 600×600 pixels, which is the official required size. Ensure it remains in JPEG format and meets the correct compression ratio.

How to apply for the DV Lottery?

To apply, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official website during the DV Lottery registration period, fill out the application form, and upload a compliant digital photo for yourself and all eligible family members.

What background is required for the DV Lottery photo?

The background must be plain white or off-white, with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. A neutral, well-lit space is required for the best results.

What are the official photo sizes and dimensions for the DV Lottery?

The required photo size for the DV Lottery is 600 x 600 pixels, saved in JPEG format, with a file size between 54 KB and 10 MB.

When does the DV Lottery application period open?

The DV Lottery application period typically opens in early October and runs until early November each year. The exact dates are announced annually by the U.S. Department of State.

Is the DV Lottery application free?

Yes, applying for the DV Lottery is completely free. Be cautious of fraudulent websites that charge fees to submit an application on your behalf.

Can I apply for the DV Lottery while living in the U.S.?

Yes, you can apply for the DV Lottery from anywhere in the world, including if you are currently residing in the United States.

How do I check if I won the DV Lottery?

You can check your DV Lottery results on the official Electronic Diversity Visa (EDV) website using your confirmation number. Winners are typically announced in May of the following year.

Can I include my spouse and children in my DV Lottery application?

Yes, you must include your spouse and all unmarried children under 21 years old in your application, even if they do not plan to immigrate with you. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

How many photos are required for a Green card?

Depending on the type of application and whether you get an interview, the amount with vary:

Form DS-260: Provide two identical compliant photos at the interview. They must be on photographic paper.
Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648: You must provide a digitally uploaded, compliant photo to your application.
Diversity Visa Program: You must upload your compliant photo to your application.
- See the size requirements above to find out more information.