1. Registration
  2. Student Cards

Student Cards

The Registrar's Office is responsible for the issuance of Student Cards.

As part of registration, all on-campus students are required to have a student card when they first come to ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´.

  • It is to be kept for the duration of their studies and is to be used only by the person to whom it is issued
  • Cards will be automatically validated provided students are enrolled 
  • A fee will be charged to replace a lost or damaged student card

2026-2027 Student Card! 

Mock Student Card

Your card serve as a form of identification and as your passport to a number of on-campus services, including those provided by:

  • The Office of the University Registrar
  • Campus Security
  • Faculty offices and departments
  • ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ Libraries
  • The Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC)
  • Numerous student services, including pre-purchased meal plans and bus service
  • Photos of students are also provided to authorized university staff on an as-needed basis (e.g. campus security, residences, and instructors)

The tap sign and magnetic stripe on the back of the student card can be used to purchase items at various campus facilities.

The barcode on the front of the student card is used for Library Services.

  • If your card will not scan at the library, check the date issued on your card to make sure you are using the most recent card issued to you. Library staff can key in your barcode number and retrieve your file

ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ campus exam venues require a student card. The charge for not having your student card is $50 per exam. View the exam rules and regulations. 

STEP 1: Prepping your Photo 

Photograph Guidelines

  • Head and shoulders only
  • Taken within the last 6 months
  • Good quality - clear image and in colour
  • Looking at the camera
  • Nothing in the background
  • We encourage smiles!

Photo Format: .jpg or jpeg format, as an attachment, 500k or less in size.

Photos with the following Items WILL NOT Be Accepted

  • Wearing sunglasses, hats or other items that obscure the face
  • Including other people or pets
  • Not looking at the camera – profile shots
  • Making funny faces
  • Digitally altered
  • Black & white, or sepia toned
  • Bad quality (lines through image)
  • Busy background
  • Full body
  • Printed on regular paper

STEP 2: Watch your Queen's email for a photo request

Ahead of the start of each academic term, the Office of the University Registrar prepares the system for photo collection. Students who are required to submit a photo will be sent an email to their @queensu.ca email account with details on how to upload their photo when it is the appropriate time to do so.

This email will come from registrar@housing.queensu.ca

Receiving Your New Card

First-year students will receive a tap-enabled student card upon coming to Queen's. Returning students continue to use your previously issued tap-enabled card.

All students new to Queen's will receive a tap-enabled student card. The tap features can be utilized for various services on campus, including the dining halls, retail food locations, and Kingston Transit. Some locations on campus will continue to require the use of the magnetic stripe and/or barcode.

 

On-campus programs

In July, all eligible students will be sent an email to their at @queensu.ca email account letting them know how to submit their student card photo. This email will come from registrar@housing.queensu.ca 

  • Students living in residence - will pick up at move in with their keys
  • Faculty of Law (JD program) and School of Medicine - will pick up during orientation
  • Exchange students - will pick up during orientation

 

All other students can pick up their cards during the below times:

  • Friday September 11 – 9am – 4pm @Mitchell Hall room 130
  • Starting September 21, weekdays, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm @Gordon Hall, Ground Floor

 When picking up your student card, government issued photo ID is required to validate your identity.

 

Distance Students

More information regarding student cards for students in online programs will be provided in mid-September. Students writing online exams are encouraged to use government issued photo ID when writing their exam.

Returning on campus students received communication about new tap cards last semester. To learn more about Tap-Enabled Student Cards see our Tap Card webpage. Validation stickers have been phased out and are no longer being issued.

Returning students who did not collect their tap-enabled card last semester (Winter 2026) can pick up their card during the below times:

  • Friday September 11 – 9am – 4pm @Mitchell Hall room 130
  • Starting September 21, weekdays, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm @Gordon Hall, Ground Floor

If you are currently away from campus on an internship, exchange, placement or other off-campus program, your tap-enabled student card will be available for collection when you return to campus. 
Please note: You must collect your tap-enabled student card to access Kingston Transit and other paid campus services

When picking up your student card, government issued photo ID is required to validate your identity.


Replacement Cards

Lost or damaged student cards can be replaced for a $20 fee*. Please complete the to request a new one.