Quick answer
A lot of official websites use small PDF limits because they need to process large numbers of uploads. That is why people often search for phrases like compress PDF to 200KB right after seeing an error such as file too large, upload failed, or document exceeds maximum size.
The challenge with PDF compression is that documents are not just pictures. A PDF may contain scanned pages, text, vector graphics, or embedded images. Some files shrink easily. Others need a stronger reduction method because the original scan is already heavy.
What usually works best
For portal uploads, the goal is not simply to make the PDF smaller. The real goal is to get below the limit while keeping the document readable enough for the receiving office. That is why ExactSizer includes PDF-specific controls like profile, render scale, and quality cap.
If your document is a scan, compressing to 200KB is often realistic. If it contains many pages or already includes optimized text and graphics, you may need to target 500KB or 1MB instead. The key is to match the file size rule of the website, not to chase the smallest possible file.
If it still fails
Government, visa, and university portals also tend to fail silently. You upload the file, the form resets, or the page returns an error without telling you whether the problem is size, format, or dimensions. Starting with the exact limit removes one of the biggest unknowns and usually gets you to a working file faster.
A good rule is to start at the exact limit the website gives you. If 200KB is too aggressive and the PDF becomes hard to read, test 500KB or 1MB only if the portal allows it. If the portal is strict, use the smaller-file PDF profile and lower render scale gradually until the upload succeeds.