Get your IRCC documents under the upload limit
Drop a PDF or image and FitSize shrinks it to IRCC's per-document limit in your browser. Your documents are never uploaded.
Instant client-side compression · Up to 2 GB per file · Zero server upload
- Most online accounts, per document limit
- 4 MB
- FitSize aims for
- 4 MB
- Last checked
- 30 September 2026
- Read on
- ircc.canada.ca
IRCC's upload boxes take one file each, and most reject anything over a few megabytes. Passport scans, bank statements and photos add up fast, and one refused upload can hold up a whole application. This page shows the limits IRCC publishes and how to get each document under them.
Why IRCC has this limit
Why does IRCC reject your immigration upload? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada enforces a strict 4 MB per-file limit on portal uploads. FitSize compresses documents and application scans locally using the W3C WebCodecs API and in-browser decoders, preserving legible stamps and signatures with zero-byte server upload privacy.
IRCC does not explain the limits; its help centre says they depend on which online service you use. Most IRCC online accounts allow 4 MB per file, while the IRCC Portal and its newer version allow 5 MB each. The page was last updated on 28 September 2026.
Source: ircc.canada.ca
What FitSize does with your file
FitSize defaults to the smaller account limit, because the file you compress has to pass whichever form you are on. For documents with several pages IRCC's own advice is to combine them into one file and keep images at a modest resolution, so aim to compress the finished PDF rather than each page. Your documents stay on your device.
Your file never leaves your device. It is read and compressed by your browser, and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Three things to watch on IRCC
- The limit can be as low as 2 MB. IRCC's page on reducing file size warns that the limit can be as low as 2 MB for some application types, so check the size shown for your specific application before you compress. Source: ircc.canada.ca
- One file per upload field: only the last is kept. If you try to upload multiple files in the same field, only the last one you upload is saved. IRCC's advice is to merge your documents into a single file, and for images to save at 150 DPI or less or choose a minimum size setting. Source: ircc.canada.ca
- Accepted formats differ by service. The IRCC secure account takes JPG, PNG, DOC, TIFF and PDF, the IRCC Portal also takes DOCX, and the online citizenship application takes JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TIFF and PDF. The page does not mention encryption or password rules. Source: ircc.canada.ca
IRCC limits by account type
| Account | Limit | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Most online accounts, per document | 4 MB | 30 September 2026 |
| IRCC Portal, per document | 5 MB | 30 September 2026 |
FitSize vs traditional cloud converters
| Architecture Feature | FitSize (In-Browser) | Traditional Cloud Converters |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | Instant / 0s queue delay | 15–45s upload queue & network delay |
| Privacy | 0-Byte Server Upload (100% on-device) | Files uploaded & stored on third-party servers |
| Bandwidth | 0 MB upload bandwidth consumed | Full upload and download bandwidth consumed |
| Exact File Size Guarantee | Deterministic bit-budget target | Trial-and-error guesswork re-compression |
Frequently asked questions about IRCC compression
What is the file size limit for IRCC application uploads?
IRCC imposes a strict 4 MB limit per file for visa, study permit, work permit, and permanent residency document submissions through the online portal.
Will compressing my visa documents make stamps and signatures illegible?
FitSize optimizes document and PDF scans specifically for text contrast and official stamp legibility, ensuring government compliance while maintaining sub-4 MB file size.
Is it safe to process sensitive passport scans and birth certificates here?
Completely. Government identity documents never leave your browser sandbox. FitSize does not transmit or store identity data, guaranteeing 0-byte server upload privacy.