Preparing a document packet for an online immigration or citizenship upload

These packets often mix certificates, passport pages, translations and forms, and the upload form usually caps the total.

This guide covers the file-size side of the job only. Requirements differ by authority and change, so read the instructions of the office you are applying to, and get professional advice for legal questions.

Plan the packet before you scan

List every document the instructions ask for, and note whether the limit is per file or for everything together.
Number the files in the order the form shows them (for example 01 Birth certificate.pdf). FileMending keeps your names and order.
Scan each page once at a sensible resolution (200 dpi is a reasonable start for printed text) and keep your original high-quality scans untouched in a separate folder.

Protect what must stay readable

Dates, registry numbers, stamps and signatures sit in small print. After fitting, zoom into exactly those areas on the preview. If something is soft, rerun with a bigger limit or protect that file and let others take the saving.

Watch for colour requirements

Some offices ask for colour copies of certain documents. If grayscale is allowed for your packet, converting colour scans to grayscale often saves a lot of space. If you are unsure, do not convert.

Translations, apostilles and multi-page files

Keep each translation or apostille with its source document in the order the instructions give. Page counts matter for plan limits: the 20-file plan allows up to 750 PDF pages in total.

Updated 2026-10-14.