How to Compress PDF for US Visa (DS-160) Portal
The US Department of State's DS-160 portal has notoriously strict file size limits for uploading supporting documents. Your scanned graduation certificates or bank statements must often be under 240KB. Tulz helps you hit this target without losing readability.
Why is this needed?
If your file is even 1KB over the limit, the DS-160 portal will reject the upload. Standard scanners often create files in the 2MB to 5MB range, which is 20x the allowed size.
!Step-by-Step Instructions
Scan your document at 150 DPI
For the best starting point, scan your document at 150 DPI in Black & White or Grayscale. Avoid Color scans unless specifically required.
Upload to Tulz PDF Compressor
Use our [PDF Compressor](/tools/pdf-compress). Choose the 'High' compression level (Smallest size) to ensure you stay well under the 240KB threshold.
Verify the 'Final Size'
After processing, Tulz will show you the new file size. Ensure it is below 240,000 bytes (approx 234KB) to be safe for the US portal.
Pro Tips
- •If you have multiple pages, use our [PDF Splitter](/tools/pdf-split) to upload only the essential pages.
- •Check that your name and dates are still clearly visible after compression. 'High' compression is aggressive but optimized for text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact size limit for DS-160?
The limit is generally 240KB per file. Some specific document types might have even smaller limits depending on the local consulate's portal version.
Can I use Tulz for my digital visa photo?
Yes! Use our [Passport Photo Resizer](/tools/image-to-kb) to get the exact 600x600px square photo required by the DOS.