Photo and signature size limits for online forms
Passport, visa and exam portals refuse photos that are too heavy, too light or the wrong size. This page lists the limits published by each organisation, with a link to the official page or document we read. Each limit comes with the PDFDog tool that gets your file within it, for free and without uploading it.
Checked against the official sources in October 2026. Rules change between sessions: always confirm in the notice of your own application.
UK passport (online application)
HM Passport Office, digital photo for an online application.
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 50 KB to 10 MB | At least 600 × 750 px | Digital colour photo | Compress imageResize image |
There is a minimum size: a photo under 50 KB is refused, so do not compress it too much.
Source: GOV.UK – Photos for passports
Canadian passport (online renewal)
Government of Canada, digital photo for an online passport renewal.
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 200 KB to 5 MB | 1,200 × 1,800 px to 3,000 × 4,500 px, 3:2 portrait | JPEG (.jpg) | Compress to 200 KBResize image |
Chin-to-crown must be 45% to 50% of the photo height. Stay above 200 KB.
Canadian permanent resident card (online)
IRCC, digital photo for an online PR card application.
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 4 MB or less | 715 × 1,000 px to 2,000 × 2,800 px | JPEG (.jpg) | Compress imageResize image |
IBPS bank recruitment
Guidelines published with IBPS-run recruitment applications (2026 notice).
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 20 KB to 50 KB | 200 × 230 px (preferred) | Colour photo | Compress to 50 KBResize image |
| Signature | 10 KB to 20 KB | 140 × 60 px (preferred) | Black ink on white paper | Compress to 20 KBResize image |
| Left thumb impression | 20 KB to 50 KB | 240 × 240 px at 200 DPI | JPG / JPEG | Compress to 50 KBResize image |
| Hand-written declaration | 50 KB to 100 KB | 800 × 400 px at 200 DPI | JPG / JPEG | Compress to 100 KBResize image |
A live photo is also captured with a webcam or phone during the application.
Source: IBPS – Guidelines for scanning the photograph, signature, thumb impression and declaration (PDF)
SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2026
Staff Selection Commission, notice of the CGL examination.
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | 10 KB to 20 KB | About 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm | JPEG / JPG | Compress to 20 KBResize image |
The photo is not uploaded: it is captured live during the application. Another section of the same notice gives about 4.0 cm × 2.0 cm for the signature.
Source: SSC – CGL 2026 notice (PDF)
UGC-NET (NTA), June 2025 session
National Testing Agency, information bulletin.
| File | File size | Dimensions | Format | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 10 KB to 200 KB | — | Colour or black & white, white background | Compress to 100 KBCompress to 200 KB |
| Signature | 4 KB to 30 KB | — | Running handwriting, blue or black ink | Compress to 20 KB |
The photo must show at least 80% of the face, without a mask, with the ears visible.
How to get a photo within the limit
- If the form gives dimensions, resize the photo first.
- Open the page for the maximum size (20, 50, 100 or 200 KB): PDFDog keeps the best quality that fits.
- Check the size shown after compression against the minimum of the form, then download.
Resize imageCompress to 20 KBCompress to 50 KBCompress to 100 KBCompress to 200 KB
For a document rather than a photo, compress the PDF or pick a target size: 100 KB or less200 KB or less500 KB or less1 MB or less
Questions
- Is 1 KB 1,000 or 1,024 bytes on these forms?
- Forms rarely say. PDFDog counts 1 KB as 1,000 bytes, which is the stricter reading: a file under 50 KB on PDFDog is also under 50 KB for a form that counts 1,024 bytes.
- My photo is too small after compression. What can I do?
- Several forms have a minimum (for example 20 KB or 50 KB). Choose a higher size target, or start from a larger photo or scan: a very small image cannot be made heavier without adding noise.
- Do I need the exact pixel size?
- When a form gives exact or preferred dimensions, resize the photo first, then compress it. When it gives a minimum, keep your photo at least that large.
- Are my photos uploaded to PDFDog?
- No. Compression and resizing run in your browser: your photo and signature never leave your device.