USCIS online filing: evidence upload requirements
When you file a USCIS form online, you upload your evidence as separate files. USCIS sets a few simple rules for those files. Here they are, with practical ways to meet them and one important thing not to do with the form itself.
Last checked against the official sources: 20 October 2026
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| File size | 12 MB maximum per file |
| File types | Generally PDF, JPG or JPEG; some forms also accept TIF or TIFF |
| Passwords | Don’t encrypt or password-protect files |
| Quality | Each image clear, with all text readable |
| Foreign-language documents | Upload the original, a certified English translation and the translator’s certificate |
| Passport-style photos (if required) | Scan them or photograph them with your phone |
Evidence file over 12 MB?
This opens the compressor at 11,000 KB, safely under 12 MB however the system counts megabytes.
Don’t compress or flatten the USCIS form itself
Some forms can be filed by uploading a completed PDF of the form (“PDF upload filing”). USCIS says its forms are optimised for Adobe Acrobat Reader 10.0 or later, that other software may make the form incomplete or unusable, and that your name, date of birth and A-Number must exactly match your online account. So complete, sign and save the USCIS form in Adobe Acrobat Reader, and upload it as it is. Don’t run it through a compressor, a flattener or “print to PDF”. The tips below are for your evidence files only.
Preparing evidence that uploads first time
- Scan text documents at 200 to 300 DPI. Greyscale is fine for most letters, statements and certificates; use colour for photos, IDs and anything with coloured stamps or seals.
- Keep each document in its own file with a clear name, for example “birth-certificate-maria.pdf” and “birth-certificate-maria-translation.pdf”.
- Large multi-page scans are the usual reason for going over 12 MB. Compress them to around 11,000 KB: the compressor first shrinks the images inside the PDF and keeps the text selectable whenever it can.
- Evidence that is a filled-in PDF form from someone else (an employer, school or bank form, for example) can show blank answers in other viewers. Flatten it first with the free PDF Flatten tool, so the answers become a permanent part of the page.
- Password-protected files, such as some bank statements, must be unlocked before uploading. Open the file with its password in your PDF reader and save an unprotected copy, or download a fresh copy from the issuer. Our tools can’t open protected files.
- Check every file before uploading: open it, zoom in and confirm that names, dates and numbers are readable.
Older limits you may see elsewhere
Older USCIS guides and webinars mention limits of 5 or 6 MB. The current “Tips for Filing Forms Online” page says 12 MB, but individual forms can differ, so always follow the limit shown in the evidence section of your online account.
Official sources
This is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. We check these rules regularly, but they can change at any time, so confirm them on the official pages above before you submit.
Questions
What is the file size limit for USCIS online evidence uploads?
USCIS’s current guidance says each evidence file must not be larger than 12 MB. Older guides mention 5 or 6 MB, and individual forms can differ, so follow the limit shown in the evidence section of your online account.
What file types does USCIS accept for evidence?
Files generally must be PDF, JPG or JPEG. For some forms USCIS also accepts TIF or TIFF. Files must not be encrypted or password-protected.
Should I flatten my USCIS form before uploading it?
No. For PDF upload filing, USCIS says its forms are optimised for Adobe Acrobat Reader 10.0 or later and that other software may make the form incomplete or unusable. Complete, sign and save the form in Acrobat Reader and upload it as it is. Flattening is only useful for evidence documents that are filled-in PDF forms from someone else.