United States Document Guidelines
Stop getting rejected. Verify the exact photo dimensions, PDF size limits, and file formats required by USCIS, DOS Visa, USAJOBS, and other US government portals before you upload.
Uploading documents to US federal government portals can be surprisingly unforgiving — many applications are flagged or rejected at the file validation stage, before a human even reviews them. USCIS alone processes millions of applications per year, and the automated photo validator rejects images that don't meet its strict 600×600 px square format, even if the face is clearly visible.
The Department of State's DS-260 immigrant visa portal has a separate, stricter 240 KB ceiling for digital photos — far lower than USCIS — while USAJOBS focuses on PDF resume size (5 MB cap). Understanding which portal enforces which rule saves you from costly re-submissions and delays.
All tools on 100kb.in process your files entirely in your browser. No document, passport photo, or resume is ever uploaded to a server — which is especially important when handling USCIS green-card applications or Social Security documents.
Digital Photo
600×600 px min | Square aspect ratio | JPEG
Supporting Documents
PDF | Clear, legible scan
Digital Photo
600×600 px min | Square | JPEG | sRGB
Supporting Documents
PDF | Passport, civil documents
United States Portal Quick-Reference Table
Photo dimensions, file size limits, and official sources — compiled from uscis.gov, travel.state.gov, usajobs.gov, ssa.gov.
| Portal | Category | Photo Size | Dimensions | PDF Limit | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USCIS US Citizenship & Immigration Services | immigration | 54 KB – 10 MB | 600×600 px min | Square aspect ratio | JPEG | Up to 6 MB | uscis.gov |
DS-260 US Department of State — Immigrant Visa | immigration | ≤ 240 KB | 600×600 px min | Square | JPEG | sRGB | Up to 10 MB | travel.state.gov |
USAJOBS USAJOBS — Federal Job Portal | employment | — | — | Up to 5 MB | usajobs.gov |
SSA Social Security Administration | identity | — | — | Up to 3 MB | ssa.gov |
United States Rejection Prevention Checklist
- Square Photo Ratio: USCIS and DOS both require a 1:1 square crop. A portrait-oriented (tall) photo is automatically rejected. Crop to exactly 600×600 px or higher before uploading.
- DS-260 240 KB Ceiling: The immigrant visa portal imposes a strict 240 KB limit — far lower than USCIS's 10 MB cap. Use our compressor and set the target to 200 KB for a safe buffer.
- sRGB Color Space: US government portals reject images saved in CMYK or other color profiles. Always save your JPEG in standard sRGB mode.
- No Filters or Retouching: Automated facial recognition at USCIS rejects photos with digital alterations, beauty filters, or brightness adjustments.
- PDF Text Legibility: For transcripts and certificates compressed to under 5 MB, zoom in to 200% to verify all text, dates, and seals remain readable before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions — United States Document Uploads
Common questions about file sizes, photo requirements, and portal-specific rules.
What is the photo file size limit for USCIS applications?
USCIS accepts digital photos between 54 KB and 10 MB in JPEG format. The photo must be at least 600×600 pixels and have a 1:1 square aspect ratio. Unlike some portals, USCIS does not require a maximum pixel count — higher resolution photos under 10 MB are fine.
Why is the DS-260 photo limit so much smaller than USCIS?
The DS-260 immigrant visa portal (used at US embassies worldwide) enforces a stricter 240 KB ceiling on uploaded photos. This is a legacy technical limit of the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) system. Use our photo compressor and set the target to 200–220 KB to safely meet this requirement.
Is it safe to compress my passport photo in a browser tool?
Yes — 100kb.in processes all files 100% locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your photo, resume, or immigration documents are never transmitted to or stored on any server. This is especially important for sensitive USCIS and SSA documents.
Does USAJOBS accept PDF resumes? What is the size limit?
Yes, USAJOBS accepts PDF and Word (.doc, .docx) resumes up to 5 MB per file. PDF is recommended because it preserves formatting. If your PDF is over 5 MB (common with scanned credentials), use our Compress PDF tool to reduce it client-side.
Can I convert a JPG scan of my birth certificate to PDF for SSA?
Yes. The Social Security Administration accepts PDF uploads of supporting documents. Use our free JPG to PDF tool to convert your scanned JPEG to a clean PDF, then use Compress PDF to bring it under the 3 MB upload limit if needed.
Other Country Guidelines
File size limits and format rules are compiled from official US government sources (uscis.gov, travel.state.gov, usajobs.gov, ssa.gov). Always verify requirements on the specific portal at the time of your application, as these may be updated.