
International students in Ontario, Canada, can apply for two types of provincial identification cards: the Ontario Photo Card and the Ontario Driver's License. The Ontario Photo Card is a wallet-sized card that serves as government-issued identification for individuals who do not possess a driver's license. It is beneficial for activities such as domestic travel, opening a bank account, and other activities that require official identification. To obtain the Ontario Photo Card, international students must visit a ServiceOntario centre with their passport or other identity documents, such as a birth certificate, and apply in person. It is important to note that individuals cannot hold both the Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license simultaneously.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for an Ontario Photo Card? | International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card. |
| What is the Ontario Photo Card? | It is a wallet-sized card that provides government-issued identification to those who do not have a driver's license. |
| What are the benefits of having an Ontario Photo Card? | It makes it easier to do things such as open a bank account and other activities that require official identification. |
| Where to apply for an Ontario Photo Card? | International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card at a ServiceOntario centre. |
| What documents are required for the application? | Original identity documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport) to prove legal name and date of birth. |
| Can I hold an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license at the same time? | No, you can only hold one at a time. |
| How long is the Ontario Photo Card valid for? | It is valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed. |
| How long does it take to receive the Ontario Photo Card after applying? | It will be delivered to the mailing address in 4 to 6 weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card in person at a ServiceOntario centre
- Applicants must provide original identity documents, such as a birth certificate and marriage certificate
- An Ontario Photo Card is valid for five years and must be renewed, with a new photo required every ten years
- International students cannot hold an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license at the same time
- The Ontario Photo Card cannot be used as proof of identification for international travel

International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card in person at a ServiceOntario centre
To apply for the Ontario Photo Card, international students must visit a ServiceOntario centre in person with their original identity documents, such as a passport or birth certificate, to prove their legal name and date of birth. It is important to note that a driver's license and an Ontario Photo Card cannot be held simultaneously. Therefore, if an individual already has a driver's license, they must surrender it when applying for the Ontario Photo Card.
The application process for the Ontario Photo Card typically involves submitting the necessary identity documents and filling out the required forms at the ServiceOntario centre. The card will then be delivered to the applicant's mailing address within approximately 4 to 6 weeks. It is valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed.
International students can also choose to book an appointment ahead of their visit to the ServiceOntario centre. Additionally, accommodations are available for individuals who are unable to visit the centre for medical reasons.
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Applicants must provide original identity documents, such as a birth certificate and marriage certificate
International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card, which is a wallet-sized card that provides government-issued identification to those who do not have a driver's license. To apply for an Ontario Photo Card, applicants must provide original identity documents, such as a birth certificate and marriage certificate. These documents prove the applicant's legal name and date of birth.
If you are applying for an Ontario Photo Card under your married name, you must provide your marriage certificate in addition to your birth certificate. The birth certificate proves your legal name and date of birth, while the marriage certificate confirms your married name.
It is important to note that only original documents are accepted. Expired documents are not acceptable, with the exception of an Ontario driver's license or Ontario enhanced driver's license that has been expired for less than a year. If your document is not in English or French, you must provide a certified translation along with the original document.
In addition to providing original identity documents, applicants for an Ontario Photo Card must also present proof of their signature. This can be done through standard proof of signature documentation or, for those who do not have this, a completed Declaration from a guarantor attesting to their signature. This declaration must be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths/Notary Public and must include the applicant's legal name, date of birth, and reason for the absence of a date of birth or partial date of birth.
By providing these original identity documents, international students can successfully apply for an Ontario Photo Card and receive a form of government-issued identification.
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An Ontario Photo Card is valid for five years and must be renewed, with a new photo required every ten years
International students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card, which is a form of government-issued identification for those who don't have a driver's license. This can be useful for activities such as opening a bank account or other activities that require official identification.
The Ontario Photo Card is valid for five years and must be renewed. If a new photo is not required, renewal can be done online. However, a new photo is needed every ten years, and if the applicant is due for a new photo, they must apply for a renewal in person at a ServiceOntario centre.
To apply for an Ontario Photo Card, individuals can visit a ServiceOntario centre with their passport or other identity documents, such as a birth certificate, to prove their legal name and date of birth. The card will then be delivered to their mailing address in 4 to 6 weeks. It is important to note that an Ontario Photo Card cannot be used as proof of identification for international travel. Additionally, individuals can only hold one form of provincial identification at a time, so if they already have a driver's license or photo ID card from Ontario or any other province, state, or country, they must surrender it when applying for the Ontario Photo Card.
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International students cannot hold an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license at the same time
International students in Ontario can apply for two types of provincial identification cards: the Ontario Photo Card and the Ontario Driver's License. However, it is important to note that international students cannot hold both an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license simultaneously. The Ontario Photo Card is intended for individuals who do not have a driver's license and do not plan on obtaining one in the near future.
The Ontario Photo Card serves as a government-issued identification card for individuals who do not possess a driver's license. It enables them to perform tasks such as opening a bank account or engaging in other activities that require official identification. To apply for the Ontario Photo Card, individuals must visit a ServiceOntario centre and provide their passport or other identity documents, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate. The card is typically delivered to the applicant's mailing address within 4 to 6 weeks.
On the other hand, the Ontario Driver's License is a more common type of identification card among international students. Obtaining this license involves a three-step process, and individuals have up to five years to complete it. The first step is to obtain a G1 license by passing a knowledge test on the basic rules of driving in Ontario. After obtaining the G1 license, there are certain restrictions, such as not being allowed to drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways, and always having a G-licensed driver in the car. After holding the G1 license for a year, individuals can take the G1 exit test to obtain their G2 license, which involves a road driving test.
While the Ontario Photo Card is a useful form of identification for those without a driver's license, it cannot be used as proof of identification for international travel. Additionally, it is important to note that if an individual with an Ontario Photo Card decides to apply for a driver's license, they must surrender their Photo Card as part of the application process, as holding both forms of identification simultaneously is not permitted.
In conclusion, while international students in Ontario have the option to obtain either an Ontario Photo Card or an Ontario Driver's License, they cannot hold both at the same time. The choice between the two depends on the individual's needs and plans regarding driving in the province.
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The Ontario Photo Card cannot be used as proof of identification for international travel
International students in Ontario can apply for two types of provincial identification cards: the Ontario Photo Card and the Ontario Driver's License. However, they can only hold one card at a time.
The Ontario Photo Card is a wallet-sized card that provides government-issued identification to those who do not have a driver's license. It is valid for five years, after which it must be renewed. To apply for the card, individuals must visit a ServiceOntario centre with their passport or other identity documents, such as a birth certificate.
While the Ontario Photo Card is a useful form of identification for various purposes, it is important to note that it cannot be used as proof of identification for international travel. This means that individuals planning to travel internationally will need to carry their passport or another accepted form of identification.
The Ontario Photo Card is accepted for many day-to-day activities within the province that require official identification. This includes activities such as opening a bank account, cashing a cheque, obtaining a credit card, boarding a domestic flight, returning goods to a store, obtaining hotel accommodation, and renting a home video.
It is worth mentioning that the Ontario Photo Card is not the only option for international students seeking identification. They can also opt for an Ontario Driver's License, which is a more common choice among students. The process of obtaining a driver's license in Ontario involves three steps, and individuals have up to five years to complete the entire process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for an Ontario Photo Card if they don't have a driver's license and don't intend on getting one.
You need to provide original identity documents (e.g., birth certificate, passport) to prove your legal name and date of birth. If you are applying under your married name, you will also need to provide your marriage certificate.
You can apply for an Ontario Photo Card in person at a ServiceOntario centre.
No, you cannot hold an Ontario Photo Card and a driver's license or any other photo ID card from Ontario or another province, state, or country at the same time. If you already have a driver's license and want to get an Ontario Photo Card, you must give up your license.











































