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 applicant 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 applicant's shoulders.
The image must not include other objects or additional people.
Applicant must be vertically oriented in the image.
The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo of the applicant.
Head Position
Subject must directly face the camera.
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 height. The diagram below shows these measurements on a correctly-proportioned image.
Well-Composed Photos
INCORRECT
No Retouching
No Image Stretching
Pose Not Frontal
Image Not Portrait View
Head Too Small
Head Too Big
Background:
Subject must be surrounded by a plain, light-colored background with no distracting shadows on the subject or background.
INCORRECT
Background Not Plain
Focus/Resolution:
The entire face must be in focus.
Fine facial features should be discernible
No discernible pixels or dot patterns
INCORRECT
Not In Focus
Visible/Coarse Dot Pattern
Resolution Too Low
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 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 by avoided by a slight upward or downward tilt of the head.
INCORRECT
Glare On Glasses
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 should reproduce natural skin tones.
Brightness and contrast should represent subject accurately.
INCORRECT
Improper Color
Too Dark
Contrast Too High
Exposure and Lighting
Photo may not be over- or under-exposed
Avoid shadows on face or background
INCORRECT
Over-Exposed
Shadows On Face
Shadow On Background
Source: U.S. State Department...
Sounds complicated ? Don't worry we will review your application and contact you if there is any errors. You can also contact us if you have any questions.
