Immigration · US
NVC File Size Limit (4 MB): How to Compress Your PDF
The National Visa Center accepts CEAC uploads up to 4 MB per file. Here's how to get civil documents, Form I-864 and financial evidence under the limit by compressing them to about 3.6 MB.
NVC / CEAC file requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Max file size | 4 MB per file. Each scanned document is one file, and each file must be 4 MB or smaller. |
| Accepted formats | PDF (preferred), JPG or JPEG. |
| One document, one file | Upload a multi-page document, such as Form I-864, as a single file. Don't break one document into several files. |
| Not accepted | Zipped files, modifiable (editable) PDFs and password-protected files. |
| Color and both sides | Scans must be in color. Include the back of any document that has stamps, seals or writing on it. |
| Translations | Put the certified translation in the same file as the original. You don't need one for documents in the language of the country where your interview will take place. |
Source: U.S. Department of State: Step 8, Scan Collected Documents · Last verified Oct 1, 2026. Limits can change, so check the official page before you file.
Which NVC uploads this applies to
After USCIS approves an immigrant petition, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC). You send NVC your documents online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), not by mail. The 4 MB limit applies to every file you upload there, including:
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
- Financial evidence Tax documents and proof of income
- Birth certificates With translation, if needed
- Marriage certificates And divorce records, if any
- Police certificates From each country required
- Passport Biographic page
You upload these from the Start Now buttons under Affidavit of Support Documents and Civil Documents. The same limit applies when NVC rejects a document and asks you to upload a corrected one.
Why NVC files get too big
- Color is required. NVC asks for color scans, and color files are much larger than black and white ones. Switching to grayscale is not an option here.
- High scanner settings. Many scanners save at 300 DPI or more by default. A few color pages at that resolution can pass 4 MB on their own.
- One document, one file. A multi-page Form I-864 or a long court record must go in a single file, so you can't spread the pages across several uploads.
- Translations and back sides. The original, its certified translation and the back of any page with stamps or seals all go in the same file. That can double or triple the page count.
- Phone photos. Phone cameras take 8 to 12 megapixel images, so even a short document saved as a PDF can go well over the limit.
How to compress a PDF for NVC
- 1
Open the compressor
Click the button on this guide. The home compressor opens with the target already set to 3.6 MB, a safe margin under the 4 MB limit. Sign in if you're asked to.
- 2
Upload your PDF
Drag your scanned document onto the upload box, or click to choose it. The free plan accepts files up to 10 MB.
- 3
Compress
Check the target says 3.6 MB, then click Compress. Long, color scans take a little longer.
- 4
Download and check the pages
Open the result and look at every page: seals, stamps, signatures and the translation. If they're clear, upload the file in CEAC.
If your PDF is still too large
- Lower the target. If 3.6 MB still fails, try 3 MB. If CEAC shows a size error for a file under 4 MB, try 1.8 MB, because an older State Department upload guide still mentions a 2 MB limit.
- Split only separate documents. If you combined several documents into one PDF, use our free Split PDF tool to separate them, since each document needs its own upload. Don't split a single document into parts.
- Rescan at a lower resolution. State Department scanning tips suggest 150 DPI. Keep the scan in color, crop out the background and avoid glare when photographing documents.
- Remove the password. NVC doesn't accept password-protected files, so save an unlocked copy before you upload.
Common upload problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| CEAC says the file is too large | Compress it to about 3.6 MB. If it still fails, try 1.8 MB. |
| File type not accepted | Save it as PDF, JPG or JPEG. Zipped files aren't accepted, and iPhone photos are often HEIC, which isn't on the list. |
| Editable or locked PDF | NVC doesn't accept modifiable or password-protected PDFs. Scan the signed paper copy, or save an unlocked copy. |
| Document shows as Rejected | Read the Response Note, delete the file, upload a corrected one and press Submit Documents again. |
| Pages look blurry after compressing | Raise the target (still under 4 MB), or rescan at 150 DPI in color so there's less to compress. |
Files you compress with us are deleted automatically within 2 hours, and you can delete them sooner after downloading. CompressPDFtoAnySize is not affiliated with the National Visa Center or the U.S. Department of State. Always follow the instructions on travel.state.gov and in your CEAC account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NVC file size limit?▾
Some instructions say 2 MB. Which is right?▾
Can I split a long document into several files?▾
What happens if NVC rejects a document?▾
Will compressing make my scans hard to read?▾
Can I compress my NVC documents for free?▾
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Get your documents under 4 MB
Open the compressor with the 3.6 MB target already set, check that each page is clear and in color, and upload it to CEAC.
No credit card · Compress 20 free pages/month