[Question] photo requirements on dv lottery application

[Linorth 0]

Hello everyone,

I have registered my application for 2018 DV lottery, but I'm now nervous about the picture I have submitted and whether or not it will end up disqualifying me if I win the lottery.

my problem is that even tho I was careful about the size of the image, and its  color bit rate and all the other requirements of the image, I think I have missed one requirement.

it says on the list of requirements: Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way.


but after I have submitted my application, I realized that the picture I used was digitally altered by the photographer a bit. since I had a mild case of adult acne, the photographer has smoothed my cheeks a bit.
the picture is obviously of me, and by looking at the image you can't really tell its altered, its just that my skin on my cheeks is a bit smoother than normal.
I had the photo on the paper form and I scanned it and used the digital file from the scanner to submit my application.


how serious this problem is?
if I win, is there a chance they just let this minor issue slide or will they reject my application for sure?


any help would be dearly appreciated.

[DrEllaNJ 288]

I wouldn't worry about it. If selected they will ask you to submit a lot of other photos.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

It's hard to answer. If they can pick up that it was digitally altered (I don't know if the software can do this, probably not?) then they will disqualify you. If it's going to be down to the interviewing officer physically comparing you to the photo then you'll probably be ok. (Their software will do facial recognition on real you vs photo. I don't think, but don't know for sure, that a change in skin could be an issue with this.) anyway, you still need to get selected before worrying about it.

 

DrEllaNJ, unfortunately DV does not work that way. They are very strict on photo requirements as one way to prevent fraudulent and duplicate entries, as well as ensuring that the applicant in front of them is the actual entrant. They certainly don't ask for "a lot of other photos" to be submitted if you win - just one updated passport size one, but that doesn't change matters if the initial photo is problematic. 

Edited April 20, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[Linorth 0]

Thank you a lot for the detailed response, SusieQQQ
I really appreciate it.


I know I still have to win in order to worry about it, but I was wondering that if I win with submitting a photo like this, does that mean I will have no chance of passing the interview? or the fact that I have won the lottery means in itself that their software hasn't picked up on the alteration, since if it did they would have rejected my application in the drawing process, right?



 

[Linorth 0]

by the way, if the picture I have used for the application, is the same photo that is currently on my passport (which I got less than 6 months ago), would that help me in anyway? because I used the same photo for both the application and my passport!

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

7 hours ago, Linorth said:

Thank you a lot for the detailed response, SusieQQQ
I really appreciate it.


I know I still have to win in order to worry about it, but I was wondering that if I win with submitting a photo like this, does that mean I will have no chance of passing the interview? or the fact that I have won the lottery means in itself that their software hasn't picked up on the alteration, since if it did they would have rejected my application in the drawing process, right?



 

I think it's probably safe to say that if you're selected, the software hasn't picked up an issue. However the consular officer still has the final say and there are cases, albeit rare, of photo issues being a reason for denial at interview.

7 hours ago, Linorth said:

by the way, if the picture I have used for the application, is the same photo that is currently on my passport (which I got less than 6 months ago), would that help me in anyway? because I used the same photo for both the application and my passport!

They won't compare it to that.