DoS Electronic Diversity Lottery System (EDV) 2011

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Photo Validation Instructions

Please refer to the Instructions for the 2011 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2011) for technical specifications and compositional specifications for the digital image. You will use one of the following methods to enter the image into eDV: Take a new digital image. Use a digital scanner to scan a submitted photograph. Specific instructions are included for both methods. Photograph File Name
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Photo Requirements
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 entrant in frontal view with a neutral, nonsmiling expression and with eyes open and directed at the camera. The image must not contain any parts of the body below the entrant's shoulders. The image must not include other objects or additional people. Entrant must be vertically oriented in the image. The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo of the entrant. 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 images 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.

http://dvlottery.state.gov/photo.aspx

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Well-Composed Photos

INCORRECT No Retouching No Image Stretching

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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

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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

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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

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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

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to

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average 30 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary data, providing the information required, and reviewing the final collection. In accordance with 5 CFR 1320 5(b), persons are not required to respond to the collection of this information unless this form displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments on the accuracy of this estimate of the burden and recommendations for reducing it to: U.S. Department of State (A/ISS/DIR) Washington, D.C. 20520. Consular Affairs Main Page | About Us | Feedback | Contact Us | Search | Top of Page This site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein. Copyright Information | Disclaimers | Other U.S. Government Information

http://dvlottery.state.gov/photo.aspx

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