CEAC photo requirements for the DS-260 immigrant visa

The digital spec, from the official page

The State Department's digital image requirements page states the full specification: the image dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio, minimum 600 x 600 pixels, maximum 1200 x 1200 pixels, in color at 24 bits per pixel in sRGB color space, in JPEG file format, and less than or equal to 240 KB. If you compress to get under 240 KB, the compression ratio should be 20:1 or less, so do not crush a large file at extreme quality loss; resize toward 600 x 600 first, then compress lightly.

This is the same specification family as the DV lottery entry photo, so a file prepared correctly for one satisfies the size and format rules of the other.

Scanning a printed photo instead

If you are scanning an existing printed photo rather than starting from a digital original, the official requirement is a 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) photo scanned at 300 pixels per inch, which lands at 600 x 600 pixels. The scan must still meet the JPEG, square, and 240 KB rules.

The two printed photos rule

Per the official photo FAQ, an applicant filing the DS-260 must bring two identical photos to the immigrant visa interview, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Diversity Visa selectees follow the same rule at their interview stage. So even with a perfect digital file, plan for prints: both must come from the same original, unedited photo taken within the last six months.

If the upload itself fails

When CEAC refuses a compliant file, especially with the message Invalid Image Detected, the problem is usually the portal's acknowledged upload issue rather than your photo. The State Department's own workaround is documented in our guide at /guides/ceac-invalid-image-detected: convert to PDF, save it again so it is flattened, and re-upload.

Frequently asked questions