Visa application portals love 2 MB caps. University admission systems set 5 MB limits per document. Job application forms reject anything over 10 MB.
Upload limits are hard caps. Below the limit your PDF goes through. One byte over and you start again.
Read the upload requirements first
Most portals state their limit on the upload page — "Maximum file size: 2 MB". Read it before you start compressing. "I'll just compress and try" wastes time.
Some portals also restrict page count or dimensions. Note those too.
Compress to the target
Drop the PDF into Flint's compressor and pick the level. For tight limits (under 2 MB), start with High and check the size. Step down to Medium if quality matters more than every kilobyte.
If you're still over, look at what's making the file big. Photos? Re-export the source at lower resolution. Embedded fonts? Strip them.
Last-resort moves
Below 1 MB is hard for any PDF with images. Options: convert each page to lower-quality images and recombine. Re-export the source at 72 DPI. Or split the document and upload sections separately if the portal allows.
For official documents, ask the portal whether scanned and compressed versions are acceptable. Often they are.
FAQ
What if the portal also limits page count?
Delete unnecessary pages before compressing. Strip cover sheets, blank pages, appendices that aren't required.
Will the portal flag a compressed PDF?
No. The portal sees a normal PDF, just smaller. Compression isn't visible to the system.
Can I compress a passport scan and still have it accepted?
Usually yes — the photo needs to remain clear. Compress conservatively (Medium) and check the photo is readable at full screen.
Why does my PDF balloon when I add a scan?
Scans are images and add real bytes. Always compress after adding scans, not before.
Upload limits are non-negotiable, but compression is. Drop your file into Flint's compressor and hit the cap.