York University Student Cards: Obtaining Your Id

York University offers a YU-card, which is the official photo identification and campus-wide payment card for students, faculty and staff. The YU-card provides access to several services and spaces across the Keele, Glendon and Markham campuses, including the library, recreation facilities, exams, food, dining plans, shopping, events, discounts and more. Students can apply for a physical YU-card or a mobile YU-card. To obtain a physical YU-card, students must bring two pieces of government ID and have their photo taken at the William Small Center on campus. Alternatively, students can request to have their YU-card mailed directly to their home address.

Enrolment process

To enrol for a York University student card, you must first determine whether you are applying for a physical card or a digital one. York University has recently launched the Mobile YU-card, which is available to all new students, faculty, instructors, and staff. The Mobile YU-card is York's official photo identification and campus-wide payment card. It can be used for access to the library, recreation facilities, exams, food, dining plans, shopping, events, and discounts.

If you do not have a compatible smartphone, you can apply for a physical YU-card. To apply for a physical card, you must bring two pieces of government-issued identification to the William Small Center, where they will take your photo and create your card. This can be done in about 5 minutes.

If you are a new student, you can request to have your physical YU-card mailed directly to your home. To do this, you must use the Photo Upload Service to upload your photo and supporting documents. You will then receive a notification regarding your YU-card photo approval via email. Please note that this mail delivery option is only available to first-time YU-card applicants with addresses on file within Canada.

If you are a former student who has previously had a University Card, you should still upload a new photograph. If you do not, your old photo will be used, provided it is not more than four years old. Your old card will stop working.

Photo requirements

To get a York University student card, you will need to provide a photo. This photo can be taken by the university, or you can upload your own photo.

If you are having your photo taken by the university, you will need to bring two forms of government ID with you. If you are uploading your own photo, it is important to ensure that it meets the following requirements:

• It must be a clear, colour image in focus, with your face clearly visible.
• It should be well-lit, with no shadows obscuring your features.
• The image should be a close-up of your face and shoulders, with no other objects or people in the frame.
• The photo should be taken against a plain, light-coloured background.
• You should not wear sunglasses or hats in the photo, and your expression should be neutral with your mouth closed.
• The photo should accurately represent your current appearance and be no more than four years old.

It is important to note that these requirements are in place to ensure the security and privacy of cardholders. York University reserves the right to reject photos that do not meet these standards, so please ensure that your photo complies with the guidelines before submitting it.

Digital vs physical card

York University has introduced the Mobile YU-card, which is available to all new students, faculty, instructors, and staff. The Mobile YU-card is a digital version of the physical YU-card, which is York University's official photo identification and campus-wide payment card. The Mobile YU-card provides access to several services and spaces across the Keele, Glendon, and Markham campuses, including the library, recreation facilities, exams, food, dining plans, shopping, events, discounts, and more.

One advantage of the Mobile YU-card is that it can be used on mobile phones, eliminating the need to carry a separate physical card. This can be convenient for users, especially those who tend to forget or lose their cards. Additionally, the Mobile YU-card provides new capabilities, such as the ability to directly load Flex funds through the app. It is also environmentally friendly, as switching to digital cards will eliminate approximately 400 kg of plastic and PVC consumption per year. For users who do not have a compatible smartphone, a physical YU-card can still be requested.

On the other hand, a physical YU-card may be preferred in certain situations. For example, if a student's phone is lost or runs out of battery, they may not be able to access their digital card. In such cases, a physical card can be a more reliable backup option. Additionally, some students may prefer the familiarity and tangibility of a physical card, especially if they are not comfortable with using their phone for all their daily tasks.

It is worth noting that, at the University of York, students are required to apply for their University card online before arrival. This includes new postgraduate and pre-registration undergraduate Health Sciences students, as well as new LFA and CLL students. Former students who have previously had a University Card must upload a new photograph, unless their old card is less than four years old. Similarly, returning students at UBC who already have a physical card can access a digital version of their card by logging into their account, which can be useful if they have lost their physical card. Ultimately, the decision between a digital or physical card depends on personal preferences, convenience, and the specific requirements of the university.

Pick-up or mail delivery

York University in Toronto, Canada, offers two ways to obtain your student card, the YU-card: pick-up or mail delivery.

Pick-up

You can pick up your YU-card in person at the William Small Centre, a building on campus that deals with YU card pick-up. To obtain your card, bring two pieces of government-issued ID, and the university will take your photo to put on the card. No application is needed, and the process takes about five minutes.

Mail delivery

If you are a new student, you can request to have your YU-card mailed directly to your home address. To do this, use the Photo Upload Service to upload your photo and supporting documents. Then, wait for notification of your YU-card photo approval, which will be sent to your York University email address. This mail delivery option is only available to first-time YU-card applicants with addresses on file with University Records within Canada.

Card renewal

If you are a current student at York University and your YU-card is up for renewal, you can switch to a mobile YU-card when your physical card expires. There is a $20 transition fee for this, which you pay when you return your old card to the YU-card Office.

If you lose your YU-card, you can submit a YU-card Application to have it replaced. Once your application has been conditionally approved, you can visit the YU-card Office to obtain a replacement card. There is a $30 replacement fee for physical cards. If you have a mobile YU-card and lose your phone, there is no charge to transfer your card to a new device.

If you are a former student whose card has expired, you can apply for a new University card, but you must upload a new photograph. If you do not upload a new photo, York University will use your old picture, provided it is not more than four years old.

Frequently asked questions