The quality of your documents directly affects the time your application takes. A document that is not legible is returned and must be sent again. This guide helps you send it right the first time.
Accepted formats
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG.
The file type is checked from the file's content, not just from the extension of its name. A file whose extension has been changed is not accepted.
File security
- Each file is checked for security before it is accepted. A file that fails this check is not accepted.
- Documents are kept on private storage, encrypted, and have no public address.
- In the visa section, a password-protected PDF is not accepted. In every section, upload the version without a password so our specialist can read it.
Size
Each file has a size limit. If the file is larger, you see an error message. To make it smaller:
- save the scan at a suitable, not excessive, resolution;
- save several pages of one document in one PDF with normal compression;
- save a phone photo with a scanner app, not at the camera's highest quality.
Scanning with a phone
- Use your phone's scanner app or the scan feature of a notes app; these straighten the page and reduce shadows.
- Place the document on a dark, flat surface, in daylight and without flash.
- All four corners of the document should be in the image; seals and signatures must not be cut off.
- No finger, phone shadow or glare should fall on the text.
Quality
In the visa section, images that are too small or blurred are detected automatically and returned. In every section, our specialists check documents before official submission. To have a document accepted the first time:
- the text should be legible at full zoom;
- the pages should be in order, each page once;
- the back of the document should also be scanned if it has writing or a seal.
The document's name and type
- When uploading, choose the right document type: passport, photo, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance certificate and so on.
- In family applications, upload each document under the right family member's name.
If a document is returned
The return message gives the reason, for example "the file is damaged", "this kind of file is not allowed" or "the PDF has a password". Fix the problem and upload again. If the reason is not clear, ask through the application's messages.
Sources
- The Royal Golden customer portal and the visa section of the site, document upload rules (checked on 24 October 2026)