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How can I compress my passport scans to meet Non-O visa application requirements in Thailand?

Oct 3, 2025
4 days ago
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Compressing files

I am applying for a Non-O visa electronically via the Thai embassy in Jakarta and they asked for additional documentation including “Pls Upload ALL pages of your passport, NOT Skipping any page.” For my Uk passport that is 18 double page scans to fit in one file less than 3Mb. I tried using scan from notes, using photos etc. but struggled. In the end I did this:

1. Download CamScanner app (I’m on a iPhone)

2. Subscribe to their service making sure the first 3 days are free trial

4. Scan all 18 double pages in one document

5. Save the file (8Mb) to files

6. Go to the Adobe compression site ([members only]), upload the file

7. This compressed to 1.7Mb and was pretty legible

I’m sure there are other ways but this worked for me.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their experience of compressing passport scans for a Non-O visa application, detailing the steps they took using the CamScanner app and Adobe's online compression tool to meet the Thai embassy's documentation requirements. The conversation includes various suggestions from other users for different methods and platforms to compress PDF files and highlights variations in documentation requirements from different consulates.
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Warren *************
Use the free adobe pdf program that’s what I use and just merge the pages it’s very easy I did no have to do all pages of my passport I applied in September online they only wanted the page with my passport details also has to have the code on the bottom of that page

I only had to send 3 months bank statements and no compression needed and did it with adobe pdf program at 1st I sent 1 month bank statement but got asked to send 3 months worth of statements

Now in Thailand on my non o visa and off to the immigration office on the 15th to get my tm30 it was easy also cost £60 did it in the uk
Malcolm *********
Remember that when you upload docs you can only upload 1 document, so if multiple docs are needed you must combine them into one doc.
Cabbie ******
You can also use the Notes app on your iPhone to scan 😁
Phil ********
PDF2GO
Malcolm *********
PDF it compresses files well! I've not had to send every page of my passport, only the photo page.?
Christer *****
@Malcolm ********
PDF is just a container. Som programs that creates PDFs can recompress images at a lower resolution, some don't.
Axel *******
You can use ilovepdf.com

It’s in a browser no need to download any apps
Christer *****
@Axel ******
it's a really good idea to upload your passport to sites like that 👍😆 NitroPDF had a data leak in 2021.
Axel *******
you can delete them straightaway after
John *******
Try pdf
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
it was pdf. Scanning 18 pages in apple notes app created >100mb pdf. Got it down to 24 but no further. Tried it from camera photos and printing to pdf was still huge. These dedicated scanners are quick and efficient with file sizes
Jim *******
I did that for the non immigrant visa "O" from Japan, Osaka Royal Thai consulate asked only for the bio page of my Australian passport, not all the pages. 5 days and it was approved.
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