Compress a PDF for IRCC secure account
IRCC secure account takes PDFs up to 4 MB. PDF Desk shrinks yours to just under it, right in this tab.
Max 4 MB
Files stay on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
IRCC secure account (GCKey) upload limits
| Document | Max size | Min size | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uploaded documents incl. documents requested later (per file) Only one file per request: combine multiple documents into one file. Help Centre table lists IRCC secure account at 4 MB. | 4 MB | — |
Where this number comes from
“Your file must be less than 4 MB or you won't be able to upload it.”
— Submit new documents or information we requested - Canada.ca, 2026-09-03. Checked October 2026.
PDF Desk aims at 3.9 MB, a little under the limit, because some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
If the file will not get small enough
Scan in black and white at 150 DPI instead of colour. Remove blank and duplicate pages with Delete pages. If the portal allows several files, cut the PDF with Split PDF and upload the parts.
Other portals in Canada
Limits of other portals
Questions
What is the maximum PDF size for IRCC secure account?
Uploaded documents incl. documents requested later (per file): 4 MB. Source: canada.ca, checked October 2026.
IRCC secure account still rejects my PDF. Why?
Check that it is not password-protected, that the file name has no special characters, and that it is a few percent under the limit — some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. PDF Desk opens and writes the file with JavaScript inside your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for contracts, IDs and bank statements.