IRCC file size limit: compress your PDF

Set just under 4 MB, which every IRCC account accepts. Drop in the scan and download a copy you can upload.

Free to use
Works on any device
Deleted after processing

Text stays vector-sharp
Sized for email
Every page kept
The original is untouched

PDF

Make your IRCC document 4 MB or smaller

Text stays sharp at every level · your upload is deleted as soon as the smaller file is built

Drag & drop file here

or choose a file from your device

How it works

IRCC File Size Limit in three steps

Add the scanned document

Drop in the PDF you need to upload, such as a passport scan, police certificate or bank letter.

4,000 KB is already typed in

Under 4 MB counted either way. If your account takes 5 MB and you want more detail kept, type 5000.

Download and upload to IRCC

Check the size shown, save the file, and upload it in the matching field.

IRCC-size scans: what our test files came to

Long color scans like the bank statements and records people upload, run on the 4 MB and 5 MB settings. Measured on October 21, 2026.

Test file	Before	Under 4 MB	Under 5 MB	Page DPI after
Scanned document, 12 pages, color	16.7 MB	2.5 MB	2.5 MB	150
Scanned document, 30 pages, color	41.8 MB	3.9 MB	3.9 MB	110
Scanned letter, 3 pages, grayscale	4.0 MB	Already under	Already under	300, unchanged

The 4 MB and 5 MB results are the same because the tool works in fixed steps and the same step fitted both. If a 5 MB account is yours and you want the most detail, the 4 MB copy is still accepted.

IRCC limits by account

From IRCC's help centre answer on file size limits. Check the limit shown next to the upload button in your own account. Measured on October 21, 2026.

Where you upload	Largest file
IRCC secure account	4 MB
Permanent Residence Portal	4 MB
Online citizenship application	4 MB
Asylum portal	4 MB
IRCC Portal, and the new IRCC Portal	5 MB

Preparing a scan for IRCC

A few habits save re-uploads:

Scan in color at 200 to 300 DPI, so stamps and seals stay clear. Compressing a sharp scan afterwards beats scanning blurry to begin with.
Put every page of one document into one PDF, in order, with Merge PDF or Organize PDF.
Name the file after what it is, such as passport-bio-page.pdf, so you can tell your uploads apart.

Frequently asked questions about IRCC File Size Limit

What is the IRCC file size limit?

IRCC's help centre lists 4 MB per file for the IRCC secure account, the Permanent Residence Portal, the online citizenship application and the asylum portal, and 5 MB for the IRCC Portal and its new version (read on ircc.canada.ca in October 2026).

Why is the size set to 4,000 KB and not 4,096?

Because a megabyte can be counted as 1,000,000 or 1,048,576 bytes, and IRCC does not say which. 4,000 KB here means 4,000,000 bytes, which is under 4 MB both ways.

Can I upload several documents in one field?

IRCC says only one file is kept per field: if you upload a second, it replaces the first. Combine the pages with Merge PDF first, then compress the one file.

Will IRCC still be able to read the document?

In our test, 30 scanned color pages came to 3.9 MB with the pages kept at 110 DPI, clear enough to read every line on screen. Fewer pages keep more detail: 12 pages stayed at 150 DPI.

What file types does IRCC accept?

IRCC lists PDF, JPG, PNG and Word files for the IRCC Portal and the Permanent Residence Portal, and TIFF for the IRCC Portal too. A PDF keeps several pages together, which is why it is the usual choice.

Is my document kept after compressing?

No. Your upload is deleted as soon as the smaller file is built. Nothing is sent to IRCC; you upload the file yourself.

Full step-by-step guide

All PDF tools · 15 step-by-step guides · How your files are handled

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