E-visa and online application photos
Online applications often ask you to upload a face photo, but each authority sets its own size and image rules. Check the exact application instructions before you take or crop a photo: the US Diversity Visa Lottery and Vietnam e-visa need different images.
What these online photos have in common
Both the Electronic Diversity Visa (DV) entry photo and the Vietnam e-visa portrait photo are sent with an online application. You need a clear picture of your face, but the required shape, background and expression are not the same.
Treat each application as its own job. A photo that fits one form may be the wrong size or have the wrong background for another. The authority that reviews your application makes the final decision on the photo.
Compare the size and face position
For the US DV Lottery, make a square digital image that is exactly 600 × 600 pixels. The printed photo size is 50.8 × 50.8 mm (2 × 2 inches). The head must measure 25.4–34.9 mm from chin to top of head, and eye height must be 28.6–34.9 mm from the bottom of the photo.[1][2]
For the Vietnam e-visa, the portrait photo is 40 × 60 mm (about 1.57 × 2.36 inches), so it is taller than it is wide. The authority does not set a head-height value or exact pixel dimensions in the listed requirements. Its instructions say the portrait file must be smaller than 50 KB. Do not borrow the US head-height or pixel rules for this image.[3]
Read the application page first, then choose the matching document in the tool above. Do not stretch a square photo into a portrait shape or assume a printed size and a pixel size mean the same thing. If an application gives a pixel size or upload limit, follow that value for the file you upload.
Background, face and clothing rules
The US DV photo must have a white or off-white background, a neutral expression and a closed mouth. You must not wear glasses. A head covering is allowed only for religious or medical reasons, and your full face must remain visible.[1]
The Vietnam e-visa photo needs a white background. A neutral expression or a natural smile is allowed, but glasses and head coverings are not allowed. This means a natural smile that fits the Vietnam rule would not fit the US DV rule.[3]
For a practical setup, stand in front of a plain, light wall and face a window for even light. Ask someone to take the picture, or set the camera at eye level about 1–1.5 metres away. Keep your face clear of hair and check that the background has no objects or strong shadows.
Take and check the photo
Start with a recent, sharp photo taken straight on. Keep your head level and look at the camera. Take several pictures so you can choose one with an even background, clear eyes and no motion blur.
Crop only after you know which application you are preparing. Check the full head, face position and margins against that application’s rules. For the US DV image, confirm the square is 600 × 600 pixels and the file is no larger than 240 KB; those limits apply to the digital image.[1][2]
Look at the finished file at full size before uploading. A crop can be the right dimensions and still fail if the picture is blurry, the face is poorly lit, or the background and expression do not match the listed rules. The tool above crops the image in your browser; the photo stays on your device.
Upload the file or print a copy
Upload the image through the application’s own page and follow its file instructions. The US DV Lottery requires a JPEG file, a square aspect ratio and a 600 × 600-pixel image no larger than 240 KB. The entry uses a digital upload.[1]
The Vietnam e-visa photo is also submitted online. Use the 40 × 60 mm portrait format, and check the live application for any file instructions not listed here.[3]
If you want a paper copy, use the tool above to place copies on a 4 × 6-inch photo sheet, then print that sheet as an ordinary 4 × 6-inch photo at a kiosk. Check the printed result with a ruler before cutting: the print should not be scaled or stretched. A printed copy does not replace an online upload when the application asks for a digital file.
Use the application’s current instructions
Before submitting, check the application page again and confirm that you selected the right country and document. Keep the original photo as well as the cropped file in case you need to make a different version.
A crop tool can set dimensions, but it cannot decide whether an authority will accept your image. The reviewer or application system decides whether the submitted photo meets its rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my US DV Lottery photo for a Vietnam e-visa?
Usually the same original portrait might be cropped for both, but the finished files have different shapes and rules: the US DV image is square at 600 × 600 pixels, while Vietnam uses a 40 × 60 mm portrait photo. Make a separate crop and check the expression and background rules for each.[1][3]
What size is a US Diversity Visa photo?
The digital image must be a 600 × 600-pixel square JPEG, no larger than 240 KB. The photo size is 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm).[1]
What size is a Vietnam e-visa photo?
The Vietnam e-visa portrait photo is 40 × 60 mm. The listed authority rules do not set a head-height measurement or exact pixel size. The portrait file must be smaller than 50 KB.[3]
Can I smile or wear glasses in an online visa photo?
For the US DV photo, use a neutral expression with your mouth closed and do not wear glasses. For the Vietnam e-visa, a neutral expression or natural smile is allowed, but glasses are not.[1][3]
Can I print an online visa photo at a kiosk?
Yes. You can put the cropped photo on a 4 × 6-inch sheet and print it as an ordinary photo. Measure the cut photo afterward. If your application asks for an upload, you still need to submit the digital file.