GREEN CARD DV-2010,2011,2012
Photo Requirements
The submitted image must adhere to the following specifications.
Photographs submitted must be a recent photograph, taken within the last 6 months.
Please be advised that failure to comply with any of the following requirements may result in disqualification from the lottery.
Image Acquisition
- The image file may be produced by acquiring an image with a digital camera or by digitizing a paper photograph with a scanner.
- Digital enhancement or other alterations or retouching are not permitted.
- The original aspect ratio of the image must be preserved. (No image stretching is allowed.)
Compositional Specifications
Content
- The image must contain the full face, neck, and shoulders of the
entrant in frontal view with a neutral, non-smiling expression and with
eyes open and directed at the camera.
- The image must not contain any parts of the body below the entrant's shoulders.
- The image must not include other objects or additional people.
- The entrant must be vertically oriented in the image.
- The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo of the entrant.
Head Position
- The subject must directly face the camera.
- The head must not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
- The head height (measured from the top of the head, including
the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50% and 69% of the
image’s total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the
image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the
image's total height. The diagram below shows these measurements on a
correctly-proportioned image.
INCORRECT: Photo Was Retouched |
INCORRECT: Image Was Stretched |
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INCORRECT: Not Facing Camera |
INCORRECT: Image Not Portrait View |
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INCORRECT: Head Too Small |
INCORRECT: Head Too Large |
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Background- Subject must be surrounded by a plain, light-colored background with no distracting shadows on the subject or background.
INCORRECT: Background Not Plain |
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Focus/Resolution- The entire face must be in focus.
- Fine facial features must be clearly recognizable.
- Pixels or dot patterns must not be perceptible.
INCORRECT: Not In Focus |
INCORRECT: Visible/Coarse Pattern |
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INCORRECT: Resolution Too Low |
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Decorative Items- Photos in which the person being photographed is wearing sunglasses or other items that obscure the face are not acceptable.
Eyeglasses- Eyeglasses are acceptable in a photo only if the lenses are not
tinted and there is no glare, shadows, or rims/frames obscuring the
eyes. Glare on eyeglasses can usually be avoided by a slight upward or
downward tilt of the head.
INCORRECT: Glare On Glasses |
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Head Coverings and Hats- Hats or head coverings are only allowed if worn for religious reasons AND if they do not obscure any facial features.
- Photos containing tribal or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are unacceptable.
- Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable.
Brightness, Contrast, and Color- Color must reflect natural skin tones.
- Brightness and contrast must accurately represent the subject.
INCORRECT: Improper Color |
INCORRECT: Too Dark |
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INCORRECT: Contrast Too High |
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Exposure and Lighting- Photo may not be over-exposed or under-exposed.
- Shadows must be avoided on the face or background.
INCORRECT: Over-Exposed |
INCORRECT: Shadows On Face |
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INCORRECT: Shadow On Background |
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