Compress PDF

PDF files can grow quickly — scanned documents, high-resolution images, and multi-page reports easily exceed 10 MB. In Canada, this creates real friction across common tasks. The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) accepts supporting documents up to 15 MB via My Account, but individual files for certain submissions must be smaller. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) online portals cap individual document uploads at 4–6 MB — a limit that immigration applicants hit constantly when uploading photo IDs, transcripts, and employment letters. Provincial health authorities and municipal portals typically cap at 5 MB.

University application platforms like OUAC and apply.ubc.ca also impose per-file limits on transcripts and supporting documents. Compressing your PDF before uploading prevents rejected submissions and the frustration of re-scanning.

1. Select your file: Drag your PDF into the upload area or click "Choose Files" to browse.
2. Choose a compression level: Pick Low, Medium, or High depending on your use case.
3. Compress: Click "Compress PDF". Processing happens instantly and entirely in your browser.
4. Check the result: You'll see the original size, compressed size, and percentage saved side by side.
5. Download: Click Download — your compressed PDF is ready.

For multiple files, add them all at once and download as a ZIP archive in a single click.

Low (best quality): Best for documents where image quality matters — portfolios, architectural drawings, high-res photos. Files reduce by 30–50% with almost no visible difference.

Medium (recommended): The right choice for most everyday documents — tax slips, T4s, rental applications, university transcripts, IRCC supporting documents. Files reduce by 50–70% while remaining clearly readable.

High (maximum compression): Use when file size is the priority — meeting a strict IRCC or portal upload limit. Files reduce by 70–85%. Text stays sharp; images lose some fine detail.

Most online PDF compressors — including ilovepdf.com and Smallpdf — upload your file to their servers for processing. That means your tax documents, immigration papers, health records, and employment letters pass through a third-party server you don't control.

Our tool works entirely differently. All compression runs in your browser via JavaScript — no file is ever transmitted anywhere. This is particularly important for Canadian users handling sensitive documents: IRCC applications, CRA notices, and provincial health records all contain personal information that should never be exposed to unnecessary third-party risk. Canada's PIPEDA privacy law underscores the importance of minimising data exposure — our tool processes zero personal data.

• CRA My Account: Compress receipts, T4s, and supporting documents to meet CRA upload limits for tax submissions.
• IRCC immigration applications: Reduce passport scans, employment letters, transcripts, and proof of funds to meet IRCC's 4–6 MB per-file limit.
• Rental applications: Compress pay stubs, references, and ID documents to email to landlords or upload to rental platforms.
• University applications: Reduce transcripts and portfolios for OUAC, apply.ubc.ca, or direct university portals.
• Provincial health portals: Compress referral letters and medical reports for provincial health authority submissions.
• Legal and notarial documents: Reduce signed contracts and notarised documents for email or secure sharing platforms.