Guide ·
Photo upload limits run from 100 KB to 10,240 KB
34 documents in our data set a maximum file size. The strictest allow 100 KB; the most generous allow 10,240 KB.
A photo can have the right size and background and still fail an online upload because the file is too large.
| Documents with a maximum file size | 34 of 105, across 19 countries |
|---|---|
| Smallest limit | 100 KB — Indonesia driving licence and Poland driving licence |
| Largest limit | 10,240 KB — United Kingdom passport and United States passport |
| Median | 2,560 KB |
The same country can sit at both ends
The United States sets 240 KB for the visa photo and 10,240 KB for the passport photo.
| Country | Strictest | Most generous |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 240 KB (visa) | 10,240 KB (passport) |
| Poland | 100 KB (driving licence) | 2,560 KB (residence permit) |
| Pakistan | 350 KB (visa) | 5,120 KB (passport) |
| Vietnam | 700 KB (driving licence) | 2,048 KB (visa) |
For 25 of the 34, we have not established a pixel-size rule from the authority's own wording, so the file limit is the only size number we can point to.
One of the 34 accepts HEIC files: United States passport.
Free tools: Photo file checker · Resize & compress
What this does not say
- That the other documents have no limit. They may set one we have not established.
- That a file under the limit will be accepted. Acceptance is the authority's decision.
- Requirements change. Check the issuing authority before you submit.
How we counted
A limit is counted only when our data holds a maximum file size for the document, a source address for it, and a recorded date on which we opened that source.