Apply Online
Please note that in light of COVID-19, only students required to access campus as part of their studies should schedule an appointment to pick-up their OneCard in January. Appointments for picking up your OneCard will reopen on January 7, 2022.
Students who will not be on campus in January 2022 are asked to postpone picking up their OneCard to a later date in the winter 2022 semester.
Eligibility to apply for your OneCard online
The Ryerson OneCard online application is only available for new undergraduate, graduate, Chang School of Continuing Education and Faculty of Law and Law Practice Program (LPP) students who have never had a OneCard before.
If this does not apply to you, please follow these instructions to get your OneCard.
In order to successfully submit your online application, please read and follow the instructions carefully.
Step 1: If you haven’t already, activate your Ryerson online identity
Your Ryerson online identity may have been created when you first accessed your Choose>Ryerson portal as an applicant to the university. If you require assistance with or have forgotten your online identity, please contact Computing and Communication Services Help Desk at 416-979-5000, ext. 556840 or help@ryerson.ca.
If you do not have an online identity, please complete the online identity activation form. When asked for your student/applicant ID, enter your nine-digit Ryerson student number. Keep a record of your username and password.
Note: It may take up to 48 hours for your Ryerson online identity to be active.
Step 2: Take a suitable photo
Photos must meet all requirements. If not, your photo submission will be declined.
Your photo should be in a passport style, with your head and top of your shoulders dominating the frame. Please follow these steps to ensure your photo meets the requirements. Applications will be rejected unless an adequate photo is supplied.
File format and size
- File format: JPEG format with a minimum image size of 150 pixels (width) x 190 pixels (height).
- File size: Less than 1MB (files over this size will be rejected by the server).
Video resources
Watch this quick guide to learn how to apply online for your OneCard.
Suitable photo location and setting
- A brightly-lit space with even light distribution.
- A white background with no other objects or people in the frame.
- A strong contrast between the background and your head.
- Ensure you are in front of the camera with enough room so that your face and shoulders are centered and square before it.
- Ensure your head or face are not cropped.
Acceptable photo criteria
- Do ensure your photo is in colour (no filters or digital alteration).
- Do ensure your face is fully clear and visible.
- Do position yourself in front of the camera so that your face and shoulders are centered and squared before it.
- Do ensure there is uniform and clear lighting.
- Do ensure the camera is in sharp focus on your face.
- Do feel free to smile (no “silly” or distorted faces).
- Do ensure your photo reflects your current appearance.
- Do take the photo in front of a uniform, white background with no one or anything else in the frame. There should be contrast between it and your head.
Unacceptable photo submissions
Don’t wear sunglasses.
Don’t wear any hats (religious headwear is permitted).
Don't cover your face.*
Don’t include any props.
Don’t submit a photo where your head is cropped.
Don’t submit a profile shot.
Don’t submit a photo with shadows, glares or flash reflections.
Don’t submit a photo with someone else in the shot.
Don’t submit a photo that has been digitally altered or taken with a filter.
Don’t submit a photo with poor lighting or low contrast.
Don't submit a photo of a "silly" or distorted face.
Don’t submit a photo with a busy background.
*OneCard photos require your full face to be clearly visible in your photo as this is the university's official method of identification. However, in line with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we want to be able to accommodate community members who wear a religious head covering (e.g., a veil or niqab). Please contact the OneCard office to connect with a female staff member who can assist you through the process. Please see below for details.
The female staff member will require two photos (one with head covering and one without). The photo of you wearing your head covering will be used for your OneCard. If you are concerned about who will have access to your unveiled photo, please email onecard@ryerson.ca and we will arrange for you to submit a photo of yourself without your face covered to a female staff member.
If you do not meet the photo requirements listed above, your application will not be processed. The decision to reject your photo submission is final and not open for discussion or debate.
Step 3: Submit your OneCard application online
Log into the online portal and submit your OneCard application. Online applications are open from June 1, 2021 to December 22, 2021. The online portal will reopen on January 1, 2022.
Step 4: Upload an acceptable photo
Please ensure photo meets all requirements as unacceptable photo submissions will be declined.
Step 5: Complete the online application
Complete the online application by filling in all the forms.
Step 6: Pick up your OneCard during the following times
If your online application was approved with an acceptable photo and you are required to be on campus in January 2022, you may pick up your card from our temporary location in POD-52A from January 7, 2022 onward. Learn how you can schedule an appointment to pick up your card by visiting the Get Your Card (Students) page on our website.