Can I re-use an older photo for DV lottery 2025?

 The government requirements for the photo which I have explained below, is essential for you to click photos that will not cause your application to be rejected. So take these tips correctly.

First, a few common questions about the photo.

• Can I re-use an older photo, or one from a previous entry? NO – you must not do that!
• Can I edit the photo? It may be possible to edit the background of a photo as long as it does not change your appearance in any way. So – I would rather you do NOT edit the photo unless really necessary.

What is an acceptable photo?

It meets the requirements as described in the ofFIcIAL instructions.The main features that I want you all to notice is with a head and shoulders photo, on a white background, with a neutral expression and no editions that have changed the appearance in any way. It is of the correct dimension (2 inch by 2 inch 600 pixels by 600 pixels).

Your photos or digital images must be: 

• In color 
• In focus 
• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm
  and 35 mm) or 50 percent and 69 percent of the image’s total height from
  the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.  View the Photo Composition
  Template for more size requirement details. 
• Taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance 
• Taken in front of a plain white for reflection or off-white background 
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera 
• With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open 
• Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis or preferably with national dress (gho and Kira)
• Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothings that is worn daily. 
• Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline,
  unless worn daily for a religious purpose.  Your full face must be visible,
  and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face. 
• Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not
  acceptable in your photo. 
• Do not wear eyeglasses. 
• If you normally wear a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.

You will need a photo as explained above, and for each person on the entry, including your spouse and each children. Remember, you will have to include every child that is under 21 and unmarried at the time of the DV entry. That includes your own biological children, adopted children and step children (acquired through marriage). These children must be included whether they live with you or not, and whether you intend to take them to the USA or not. So – make sure you can obtain a photo of each child, ready to do your application., and I advise you to name the digital files clearly so you don’t mix up one photo for another.

How to get a good photo. What is the best method?

The best way to get a perfect photo is by going to a professional photographer (Photo studio). Such photographer will have a white background and have good studio lighting that will allow photo to be used with NO manipulation or retouching in any way. However, this may not be possible for everyone, it might be inconvenient or expensive to get a professional photo. So, there are some other options.

Create your own photo – step by step

To create your own photo you need a device with a good camera or a digital camera. Whilst it is possible to scan an image from a printed photo, I would not recommend that. Depending on whether you have access to a clean white background you have some options available to you.

1. Choose a location where to take the photo. It should have good natural light, if in sunlight, make sure the sun is not too strong. You might need to stand in shade to avoid squinting your eyes.
2. Ideally be in front of a white plain background. There are some options to edit a background to be plain white BUT you will save time and money if you can use a plain white (or off-white) background.
3. Ideally have someone else take the photo for you. Whilst you might be able to hold a camera yourself for a selfie. You probably can’t hold the camera far enough away to get a good photo with a relaxed face on pose.
4. Remove eyeglasses, hats and so on and be dresses in “normal” everyday clothes. No need to wear your tshechu customs and No uniforms. Head coverings that are worn for religious reasons are OK.
5. Look directly at the camera, no smiling, just be natural. If both your ears are showing then that means you have posed directly “face on” which is correct.
6. Take the photo of you and each person who will be on your entry.
7. Now, depending on whether you have a white background or not, your next step will vary:
8. If you do not have a plain white or off-white background you should use an online service to edit the photo. You can use tools such as photoshop.

Adobe will let you create an account for free and has a certain amount of functionality available. However, it takes some skill to use the tool, and unless you are expert you may get noticeable effects in the produced image when trying to remove the background. For instance, I found the image produced has some flattened area of my hair (as little as I have), which makes it noticeable that the photo has been edited. I would be concerned that this could be interpreted as an alteration of features, and therefore be a slight cause for concern. 

The problem with hair will be a larger problem for those with more hair – especially if the hair is curly. The background could show through the gaps in the hair, OR the hair could be edited out – and either way thise could give concern about the photo being edited. 

So, unless you have NO budget at all, or you are not an expert with the tool, I would suggest not using that option