Photo Requirements

When registering for the official US Green Card Lottery, photos of the applicant and, if applicable, photos of his/her spouse and children must be submitted. The requirements created by the US authorities are very complex and can lead to a disqualification if you participate without the help of The American Dream.

How can The American Dream help me?

With more than 20 years of experience, our Green Card experts are familiar with all requirements of the US authorities. Our government licensed immigration advisers will check your data and photos for accuracy and guarantee your participation in the official US Green Card Lottery.

Increase your chances of winning the Green Card Lottery now! In the last couple of years, over 50% of German Green Card winners have been our customers - the success clearly speaks for itself!

Can I use my passport photo for the Green Card Lottery?

The passport photo which displayed in your current passport should only be used for the Green Card Lottery registration if the passport is also brand new (not older than issued in May of the lottery year). By comparing the photo with the passport, the US authorities may be able to draw conclusions about the photo not being up to date.

Otherwise, please obey the requirements for a biometric passport photo, whereby the US authorities even accept a "natural smile" on the photo which, for example is not permitted on many passports.

To participate in the Green Card Lottery, you must have a photo that meets the requirements of the US authorities, otherwise you will be disqualified and your registration will not be considered in the lottery.

How old can the photo for the Green Card Lottery be?

The photo for the Green Card Lottery may not be older than 6 months and must reflect your current look. This also applies to the photos of your spouse and children. It is therefore essential that you submit a new photo every time you participate. You should not use the photo(s) from the previous year.

Since July 2019, the US authorities have increased their efforts to ensure compliance with the participation rules and have also taken a closer look at the photo. It may therefore happen that you win with an old photo, but you risk being disqualified at the interview appointment and being denied the Green Card. So don't take any risks!

Since we cannot check whether the submitted photos reflect the current appearance of the participants, you should check them again in your own interest before submitting them.

What background should the photo for the Green Card Lottery have?

The photo for the Green Card Lottery must be taken against a light (white or off-white), plain background on which no shadows may be seen.

Tip: You can also use a white sheet or blanket for the background of the photo.

The background of the photo for the Green Card Lottery must be bright and neutral.

What is the optimal head position?

In the photo for the Green Card Lottery you have to face the camera directly. The head should be completely visible and needs to be centered. It should represent between 50%-69% of the total height of the photo.

In addition, the eyes need to be fully opened, clearly visible and must face the camera. The facial expression must be neutral, which means you must avoid a big smile.

The head must be centered and fully visible in the photo for the Green Card Lottery.

Head coverings in the photo for the Green Card Lottery - yes or no?

Head coverings on the photo for participation in the Green Card Lottery are generally not permitted, as caps or scarves may partially cover the face.

Headscarves worn for religious reasons are an exception. However, the face must be visible from the forehead to the chin in order to avoid a disqualification.

Only religious head coverings will be tolerated in the photo for the Green Card Lottery.

Can I wear my glasses?

Since 1 November 2016, it is no longer allowed to wear glasses in the photo for the Green Card Lottery. This includes both sunglasses and glasses worn as visual aid.

No glasses are allowed to be worn in the photo for the Green Card Lottery!

When you register for the Green Card Lottery, you must submit a color photo with a minimum color depth of 24 bits. Black and white photos are not allowed.

Also make sure that the photo is neither overexposed nor underexposed and that no shadows are visible.

The photo must be correctly illuminated and no shadows must be visible.

Can I edit the photo digitally?

Digital alterations of the photo should be avoided, as there is a risk that the shape of the head or face may change.

The removal of the background should also be avoided, as this can change the shape of the head, too. It is better to use a white sheet or a light blanket that you hang behind you for the photo if you do not have a white wall.

Digital processing of the photo can change the face and head shape and should therefore be avoided.

How big does the photo have to be for the Green Card Lottery?

When registering for the Green Card Lottery, you must submit a digital photo that is at least 600x600 to a maximum of 1200x1200 pixels in size and does not exceed 240 KB. Make sure that your photo is very sharp and that there are no visible pixels. It is no longer possible to submit analog photos to the US authorities.

However, if you have decided to participate with The American Dream, you are welcome to send us your analogue photos, which we will then digitize for you. The submitted photo should be 51x51mm.

What is the required Green Card Lottery photo format?

The photo for the Green Card Lottery must be in JPG format.

Can I submit a scanned photo to the Green Card Lottery?

Scanned photos can also be submitted when registering for the Green Card Lottery. However, these must meet all the requirements for digital photos. In addition, the print must be scanned with a resolution of 300 dpi. Make sure that there are no visible scanning dots on the image.

We are happy to support you and help you with the correct digitization of your photo.

Green Card lottery photos of babies and children

When participating in the Green Card Lottery, photos of all children under the age of 21 - including infants and young children - must be submitted. The head should be in the middle of the photo and face the camera directly so that the entire face is visible. Also make sure that:

• there is no other person in the photo
• the child does not wear a pacifier
• the face is not covered e.g. by hands
• the eyes are open.

Photos of babies and infants are particularly difficult to choose.

Tip: Place the infant on a white sheet or blanket and take a photo from above. Another option would be to place the child in a baby seat covered by a white sheet.

Can I submit the photos for the Green Card Lottery later?

If you register directly with the US authorities, you must submit your photos during the registration process. This is only possible during a period of about 4 weeks in October/November every year. The submitted photos must meet the requirements without the slightest error, otherwise you will be disqualified from participation.

With The American Dream, however, you can register for the Green Card Lottery all year round and also upload the necessary photos to your customer account at a later date until they are finally submitted to the US authorities.

In addition, we verify the accuracy of each new photo before we submit your application to the US authorities in due form and time.

Can I change photos that have already been submitted?

If you have taken part in the Green Card Lottery directly with the US authorities, it is not possible to make changes to the photos once they are submitted. So if you find out afterwards that your photo does not meet one of the requirements, you can no longer change it and will automatically be disqualified.

If you participate with The American Dream, you can register all year round and the sooner you participate, the better! Not only will you benefit from our early bird discount, but you will also have plenty of time to upload your data and photos to your customer account and correct them if necessary. We check your application very carefully and point out possible mistakes before we finally submit your application to the US authorities.

Will the US authorities inform me if my photo is incorrect?

No, you will not receive any feedback from the US authorities regarding your Green Card Lottery application. If your photo does not meet the requirements, you will be disqualified from participation but will not be notified.

In the worst case, you make the same mistake every year and never have the chance to win a Green Card - and you don't even know about it!

You don't want to take the risk? For more than 20 years it is one of our core competencies to check data and photos for the participation in the Green Card Lottery. Find out more about our service.

What happens if my photo does not meet the requirements?

If your photo does not meet the requirements, you will be disqualified by the US authorities and will not participate in the Green Card Lottery. However, the US authorities will not inform you!

The American Dream guarantees your participation in the Green Card Lottery! Our government licensed immigration advisers will carefully check whether your photo meets the requirements and will contact you again if necessary before your details are submitted. This increases your chance of winning by running no risk of being disqualified.

Checklist for Green Card Lottery Photos

The following checklist will give you an overview of the requirements your photo must meet in order to participate in the Green Card Lottery.

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