Kuwait PACI civil ID photo upload (2 MB limit)
Updated 2026-09-20
Last checked: 2026-09-20. Verify with the official source before submitting.
Kuwait's Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) lets residents update their civil ID photo online. The photo-update form for non-Kuwaitis states its file rule in one line: only PDF, JPEG, JPG or PNG files may be attached, with a maximum of 2 MB. That is the entire published technical requirement; the form gives no pixel dimensions, no aspect ratio and no background rule.
Because 2 MB is generous, most photos only need light compression, and the main risk is the format: HEIC from an iPhone is not on the list. This guide sets the compressor to a 2 MB target, converts HEIC to JPEG on the way, and explains what to do when a phone photo is still too large.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted formats | PDF, JPEG, JPG, PNG | services.paci.gov.kw photo form (Arabic) |
| Maximum file size | 2 MB | services.paci.gov.kw photo form (Arabic) |
| Pixel size / ratio / background | Not stated on the form | services.paci.gov.kw photo form (Arabic) |
| Citizen version of the service | PACI applications guide (same file rule not restated) | services.paci.gov.kw applications guide |
Open the tool with these settings
Target preset to 2 MB. HEIC is converted to JPEG; metadata is removed.
If your HEIC is already under 2 MB and you only need an accepted format.
All tools linked here run in your browser; the photo is never uploaded to GivenTool.
What the PACI form states
The Arabic text on the form reads, in translation: "Only files of type pdf, Jpeg, Jpg, Png with a maximum of 2MB are allowed to be attached." PACI also publishes an applications guide for the Kuwaiti-citizen version of the same service, and local press has covered updating the photo through the Sahel app, which points at the same service. None of these add pixel or ratio figures, so we do not invent any.
The practical implication is that a normal portrait-oriented photo taken against a plain background is fine as long as the file is one of the four types and under 2 MB. Since the photo ends up on an identity card, follow the usual conventions anyway: face straight to the camera, neutral expression, plain light background, no heavy filters.
Getting under 2 MB without losing quality
A 12-megapixel phone photo is typically 3 to 5 MB as JPEG and 1.5 to 3 MB as HEIC. The compressor with a 2 MB target keeps the full resolution in almost every case and simply lowers JPEG quality a little; the visual difference is nil. It also strips EXIF metadata such as GPS location, which is a sensible default for an ID upload.
If you prefer PNG, be aware that a photo saved as PNG is much larger than JPEG (often 10 to 20 MB at phone resolution) and would need resizing to fit under 2 MB. JPEG is the right choice for photographs.
Step by step
Open the image compressor with the target preset to 2 MB (the link below sets it). Drop the photo; HEIC is accepted and converted to JPEG automatically.
Click Compress and check the result card: the size will be at or under 2 MB and the dimensions unchanged.
Download and attach the JPEG in the PACI form (or through the Sahel app). Keep the original in case a re-upload is requested.
Frequently asked questions
Does PACI want a specific pixel size?
The form does not state one. Upload a clear, portrait-oriented photo at normal phone resolution; the 2 MB cap is the only technical limit published.
Is 2 MB 2,000,000 or 2,097,152 bytes?
The form does not say. The compressor targets 2048 KB (2,097,152 bytes) by default; to be safe against the smaller definition, type 1950 in the target box.
Can I upload a PDF instead of an image?
PDF is listed as accepted. For a photo, JPEG is the sensible choice: it is what the ID system ultimately needs and it compresses well.
Why is HEIC rejected?
HEIC is Apple's camera format and most government systems only accept JPEG and PNG. Converting to JPEG loses nothing visible and is done in your browser by the tools linked here.
This guide summarises published requirements for convenience. It is not legal advice and GivenTool is not affiliated with any government. The issuing authority's page is the only authoritative source.
Last checked: 2026-09-20. Verify with the official source before submitting.