Need a DV Lottery photo in Toronto for an online Diversity Visa entry? Green Day Photography offers studio appointments in Richmond Hill and mobile photo sessions across Toronto and the GTA. We photograph you against a plain background and prepare a separate 600 × 600 pixel JPEG file, no larger than 240 KB, for the DV entry requirements.
Tell us when booking that you need a DV entry photo, rather than a Canadian passport photo or printed U.S. visa interview photos. Those deliverables are not interchangeable. A professional photo cannot improve your odds in the draw or guarantee acceptance; the U.S. Department of State makes the final decisions.
Registration note — checked October 20, 2026: Booking a photo does not mean DV registration is open. The Department of State’s DV-2027 announcement says entry-period dates will be announced separately. Check the current official instructions for your program year before arranging a photo or submitting an entry.
DV Lottery Digital Photo Requirements
The Department of State publishes additional photo requirements specifically for DV entrants. The entry upload is a digital file, not a photograph of a printed document.
| Requirement | DV entry specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Exactly 600 × 600 pixels |
| Shape and format | Square JPEG (.jpg) |
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Colour | Colour image; 24-bit sRGB |
| Recency | Taken within the last six months and showing your current appearance |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, without distracting shadows |
| Position | Face the camera directly; neutral expression and both eyes open |
| Head framing | Head height: 50%–69% of image height; eye level: 56%–69% measured from the bottom |
| Glasses and accessories | Remove eyeglasses, headphones and wireless hands-free devices |
Meeting the pixel dimensions alone is not enough. Lighting, focus, facial visibility and head scale also matter. We check the crop against the official composition template. The government’s cropping tool is not an approval checker.
Studio and At-Home DV Photo Service
Choose a studio appointment in Richmond Hill or our at-home passport and visa photo service. Mobile appointments can be arranged in Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and other GTA communities, subject to availability and location pricing. Please confirm the appointment location before travelling to the studio.
What your DV photo appointment includes
- Professional camera, lighting and plain background setup.
- Guidance on posture, expression, clothing and keeping the face unobstructed.
- A separate 600 × 600 JPEG prepared within the DV file-size limit.
- Digital delivery so you can upload the original file yourself.
- Correction or retake at no extra charge if a photo is rejected because of our technical error.
We provide photography and file preparation, not immigration advice or lottery entry management. Keep the delivered JPEG unchanged: do not take a screenshot, add a filter or use a messaging-app version that has resized it. Check the final file’s dimensions and size before uploading it.
DV Lottery Photo Prices in Toronto and the GTA
| Appointment | Photography price in CAD |
|---|---|
| Studio appointment | $50 |
| Eligible local adult mobile appointment | From $79; confirm your address and session needs |
| Standard GTA mobile appointment | $100 for the first person |
| Baby, newborn or specialized senior visit | From $100 |
| Extended-area mobile appointment | From $120; location-based quote |
| Additional person at the same appointment | +$25 each |
See our current passport and ID photo packages for the service areas and options. We confirm the final appointment total, including any applicable tax or travel charge, before booking. Ask about printed versions separately if you need them for another application.
Photography charges are separate from government fees. The Department of State’s current fee schedule lists a US$1 DV registration fee for the principal applicant. A later visa-application fee is a different charge. Do not treat an old statement that entry is free as current payment guidance; follow the official instructions and payment process.
DV Entry Photo vs. Printed U.S. Visa Photos
For the initial DV entry, you need the square digital JPEG described above. For a DV visa interview, the Department of State specifies two identical printed photos measuring 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The interview instructions for your embassy or consulate remain the authority for what to bring.
A Canadian passport photo uses different measurements and framing. Do not simply photograph a Canadian print with your phone or assume that changing its filename makes it a DV file. Tell us which document you need; our U.S. passport photo guide explains the separate printed-photo service.
Preparing Yourself and Your Family
Wear everyday clothing that contrasts with white. Avoid uniforms; religious clothing worn daily is treated differently under the official rules. Head coverings worn daily for religious reasons must leave the full face visible and must not cast shadows. Keep makeup consistent with your normal appearance, remove glasses and avoid accessories that hide facial features.
Follow the current program-year instructions for any spouse or children whose photos are required. Each person needs their own recent image; a group photograph cannot replace individual photos. Tell us the number of people when booking so we can plan the session and confirm the total.
For babies and toddlers, no parent, supporting hand or toy should be visible in the final image. DV guidance calls for the child to look at the camera with eyes open. Our baby photo preparation guide can help you plan feeding and breaks, but Canadian infant-photo exceptions must not be assumed to apply to a DV entry.
Photo Mistakes to Avoid
- An old photograph: use a recent image that meets the six-month rule and reflects your appearance.
- Wrong export settings: a square image can still have the wrong pixel count, format or file size.
- Digital alteration: do not use AI face replacement, beauty filters or retouching that changes your appearance.
- Incorrect framing: avoid tilted heads, a face that is too small or large, cropped hair and blurred eyes.
- Distracting shadows or accessories: keep the background plain, face evenly lit and glasses removed.
- A screenshot or document scan: use the delivered original JPEG, not a capture of a screen or an ID document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a DV Lottery photo?
The online entry photo must be a 600 × 600 pixel square JPEG, 240 KB or less. Printed interview photos are a separate requirement.
Can you take my DV photo at home?
Yes. We bring a portable background, lighting and camera setup. Send your area, number of applicants and preferred appointment time so we can confirm availability and pricing.
Can I reuse last year’s photo?
A photo taken a year ago is too old for the six-month requirement. Arrange a new photograph close enough to the relevant entry period and follow that year’s official instructions.
Can I wear glasses or use an AI-edited photo?
Remove glasses for the DV photo. Do not use an AI-generated applicant portrait or editing that changes your appearance. A website illustration is not a photograph you can submit with your entry.
Does paying for a photo improve my chance of selection?
No. The photo appointment is for photography and technical file preparation only. It cannot influence the draw, determine your eligibility or guarantee a visa.
Do you submit the DV entry for me?
No. We deliver the photo file. You are responsible for checking eligibility, the registration window, entry details and official submission instructions.
Book Your DV Lottery Photo Appointment
Call 647-926-0010 or message us with your preferred date, studio or mobile preference, area and number of people. Please mention DV Lottery / Diversity Visa photo so we prepare the correct digital file.
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Check the official Department of State instructions for current photo rules, program dates and government fees. Green Day Photography is an independent photo service, not a U.S. government agency. Images on this page are AI-generated explanatory illustrations, not actual client identification photos or approved submission examples.
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