Which IRCC accounts have a 4 MB limit
IRCC has several online systems, and the limit depends on which one you use. According to the official IRCC Help Centre page on file size limits, checked in September 2026, the limit is 4 MB per file for the IRCC secure account, the online citizenship application, the Permanent Residence Portal and the asylum portal. The IRCC Portal, including its new version, allows 5 MB; we have a separate page for that one.
IRCC's own size-reduction page still mentions limits as low as 2 MB for some applications. Always compare with the limit shown next to the upload button, and if it's lower, type that number in the compressor instead.
One file per field, so merge first
The IRCC Help Centre says you can only upload one file per field; a second file replaces the first. If a field needs a reference letter plus pay stubs, combine them with “Merge PDF” first, then compress the merged file here. Merging adds up the sizes, which is usually why the final PDF goes over 4 MB.
How the compression works
ConvertirDocs only recompresses the photos inside your PDF: scans, camera pictures, stamps. Text and vector graphics aren't touched, so real text stays sharp and selectable. It shows the size before and after, and if it can't reach the target it gives you the smallest version it managed and explains why.
It's 100% free, with no sign-up. Everything runs in your browser, so your passport scans and bank statements never leave your device.
Common mistakes and rejected uploads
The most common mistake is using the wrong limit: a file that fits the 5 MB IRCC Portal can fail on a 4 MB account. Another is compressing until dates or stamps are unreadable. If the result looks rough, remove pages you don't need, or re-scan text pages in grayscale and merge again.
If the upload fails, confirm your account type and its limit, check that the extension is accepted (PDF works on every IRCC account) and compress again with a slightly lower target.