Why government portals reject passport scans
Visa applications, government ID portals, and embassy submission forms almost universally impose strict file size limits: typically 500 KB to 1 MB, JPEG format only, and specific pixel dimensions. These limits haven't changed much in years, but phone cameras and scanner apps now default to far higher resolutions.
A photo taken with a modern iPhone at standard settings is 3–8 MB — five to sixteen times the limit. A scan from a phone app at 600 DPI can be even larger. The portal rejects the file with an unhelpful error: "File size exceeds maximum" or "Invalid format."
The fix is straightforward: convert to JPEG (if the file is HEIC or PNG) and reduce the quality setting until the output is under the required size. At quality 70–80, a passport photo compresses to 100–300 KB with no visible degradation at the print dimensions the portal uses.
Common requirements by portal type
While every portal specifies its own requirements, these ranges cover most cases:
- Visa applications (US, UK, EU Schengen): JPEG, under 1 MB, minimum 600×800 px
- Passport renewal portals: JPEG, under 500 KB, white background, full face visible
- Government ID registration: JPEG or PNG, under 2 MB, typically 300–600 DPI
- Online job applications (background checks): JPEG, under 5 MB
Always check the specific portal instructions before uploading — some specify exact pixel dimensions rather than DPI, and the two are only equivalent at a fixed print size.
Why not use an online compressor for passport photos
A passport scan contains your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and photograph — a complete identity document. Most online image compressors upload your file to a remote server for processing. Even services that automatically delete files after an hour still receive and handle that data.
LocalJPG processes entirely in your browser. No file travels to any server. You can verify this: open DevTools (F12), watch the Network tab, drop your passport photo. The request log stays empty throughout the entire conversion.
iPhone photos saved as HEIC won't upload to most government portals. See HEIC to JPG Converter for why this happens and how to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What size and format do visa portals require?
Most require JPEG under 500 KB–1 MB. Exact pixel dimensions vary — check the portal instructions. Common: 600×800 px minimum, white background.
Why is my scanned passport photo so large?
Scanner apps and phone cameras default to 600 DPI or higher. At that resolution, a passport-size photo produces a 2–5 MB file. Reducing JPEG quality to 70–80 brings it to 100–300 KB with no visible difference at the submission size.
Is it safe to compress a passport scan online?
Most online tools upload your file to their servers. LocalJPG processes locally in your browser — nothing is transmitted. Verify it with the Network tab in DevTools.
My iPhone passport photo is in HEIC. Can I convert it?
Yes. Drop the HEIC file here — it converts to JPEG in your browser without uploading. Most government portals accept only JPEG, so converting is necessary before submission.