Student AffairsQueen’s University is upgrading to new tap-enabled student cards. Through the Tap-Enabled Student Card Replacement Program, impacted students will be required to exchange their current stickered student card for a tap-enabled student card by April 30, 2026.
Students who require a tap-enabled student card will receive an email with further instructions.
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Tap-Enabled Student Cards
The new tap-enabled student card will replace older stickered student cards.
The new card supports tap access on Kingston Transit, strengthens security, reduces fraud risks, eliminates the need for annual stickers, and retains all existing functionality.
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Do I Need a New Card?
If you require a new card, you will receive an email from tapcard.project@queensu.ca. Emails are being sent in phases. Please keep an eye on your queensu email inbox and junk folders.
If you do not receive an email, no action is required.
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Preferred First Names on Student Cards
As part of this project, students may now have their preferred first name printed on their student card. A preferred name is the first name you choose to use in your day-to-day interactions at Queen’s. This may be different from your legal name. If you choose to provide a preferred first name in SOLUS, it will appear on your student card and be used consistently across Queen’s systems such as OnQ and other university platforms. Providing a preferred name is completely optional.
Card Photo & Name Survey
- Students who require a new tap-enabled student card will be emailed a link to a survey where they must indicate whether their name and photo are correct/up-to-date, or whether they would like to update their preferred name/photo.
- The survey is hosted on the .
- Students who indicate that they will be updating their photo and/or name will be emailed a link to upload their new photo, as well as information on how to update their preferred name on SOLUS. If students miss the submission deadline outlined in the email, their student card will be printed as-is.
- Once tap-enabled cards are printed through this program, any additional changes will require students to request a new card through the standard replacement process and pay the usual $20 replacement fee.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Card Pick Up
- Card pickups will take place on campus between February and April. You will be notified via email once your new card is ready for pickup.
- You must bring your current student card with you. For security purposes, your older, stickered student card will be collected or deactivated.
- Once you receive your new student card, it will work immediately.
- There is no cost to receive your new card through this program.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. If you already received a tap-enabled student card (for example, if you were new to a Queen’s program in September 2025), you can disregard this process. Your tap-enabled card will continue to work as usual.
No. If you do not receive an email, you have not been identified as part of the Tap-Enabled Student Card Replacement Program. No action is required.
No. There is no cost to upgrade to the tap-enabled student card if you have been contacted as part of the Tap-Enabled Student Card Replacement Program.
Students who have lost their existing student card will still need to follow the , which includes a $20 fee.
For security reasons, your older, stickered student card will be collected or deactivated.
If you have been identified as part of the Tap-Enabled Student Card Replacement Program, you are required to upgrade to the new tap-enabled student card. You will experience service disruptions if you do not exchange your student card by April 30, 2026.
No. Tap-enabled student cards will not use stickers. No stickers will be printed for 2026-27.
On Kingston Transit, tap your card at the vehicle entrance instead of showing a sticker to the driver.
Further details will be communicated by email to students who are unable to pick up their card by April 30.
Faculty codes have been retired from the student card. This will allow you to keep your card throughout your time at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
How to Use Your Tap-Enabled Student CardÂ
Tap your card for:
- Dining halls
- Campus food locations
- Kingston Transit
Swipe your card for:
- Athletics & Recreation Centre (ARC)
- Library (scan the barcode)
- Other services
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns that are not answered on this page, please contact tapcard.project@queensu.ca. All questions related to the tap-enabled student card process must be directed to this email to receive a response.