United Kingdom · Visa document preparation
UK visa document upload: format and translation rules
GOV.UK's own supporting documents guidance is narrower than IRCC's or NVC's: it does not publish a specific file size limit. Instead, size limits are set by whichever portal your application is routed to — UKVCAS, VFS Global, or TLScontact — and shown only inside your own account.
Published and source-checked .
There is no official GOV.UK file size number
We reviewed GOV.UK's supporting documents guidance directly. It does not state a file size limit, image resolution, or a specific list of accepted formats. The limit that actually applies to you is enforced by whichever upload portal your visa route assigns — commonly UKVCAS for in-country applications, or VFS Global / TLScontact for applications made from outside the UK. That number is shown inside your own account, not on GOV.UK.
Because the exact limit is account-specific and can change, use the Custom limit option in our PDF Size Checker or Document Pack Builder with the number shown in your own account, rather than trusting a fixed figure published anywhere else.
Digital images, not copies
GOV.UK states: “Wherever possible, digital images should be taken of original documents, not copies.” A clear scan or photo of the original document is what's expected — not a photocopy of a photocopy.
Translation requirements
If a document is not in English or Welsh, GOV.UK requires a full translation that can be independently verified. Each translation must include:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator’s full name and signature
- The translator’s contact details
A missing translator signature or contact detail is an easy, avoidable reason a translated document gets flagged.
A safer preparation workflow
- 1
Use the original, not a copy
Scan or photograph the original document itself wherever you have access to it.
- 2
Attach a complete translation if needed
Include the translator’s accuracy confirmation, date, name, signature, and contact details for any non-English/Welsh document.
- 3
Check your own account for the size limit
GOV.UK does not publish one — your assigned portal (UKVCAS, VFS Global, or TLScontact) shows the real number.
- 4
Use the custom checker with that number
Enter your account’s exact limit in the PDF Size Checker or Document Pack Builder before uploading.
- 5
Compress only if the file is actually over
Compression can rasterize pages and remove searchable text, so reopen and check readability afterward.
What this guide does not verify
- Your specific portal's exact file size limit
- Document requirements or completeness
- Translation accuracy or translator credentials
- Signatures or document validity
- Visa eligibility or outcome
Related upload guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact file size limit for UK visa document uploads?
GOV.UK’s supporting documents guidance does not publish a specific file size number. The limit depends on which upload portal you are assigned — typically UKVCAS, VFS Global, or TLScontact — shown inside your own application account. Use the Custom limit option in our PDF Size Checker with the number shown in your account.
Do I need to translate my documents for a UK visa application?
Yes, if a document is not in English or Welsh. GOV.UK requires a full translation that can be independently verified, including the translator’s confirmation of accuracy, the translation date, and the translator’s full name, signature, and contact details.
Should I scan my documents or photograph them?
GOV.UK says digital images should be taken of original documents, not copies, wherever possible. A clear scan or photo of the original is preferred over a photocopy.
Do I need multiple copies if applying with family?
No. GOV.UK confirms you do not need to provide multiple copies of the same documents if applying as a family or group at the same time.
Official sources
Review method: we read the official GOV.UK supporting documents guidance directly on July 13, 2026 and quoted only what it states. Report corrections to info@visafalcon.com.