Help centre

# Apply for an 18+ Oyster photocard

If you're 18 or over, a student and living in a London borough, you can get discounted travel with an Oyster photocard.

# Complete the online form

Once you're enrolled on your university course, you can apply online (opens new window) for your Oyster photocard.

You will need:

  • An active email address
  • A Student ID card
  • A London borough address
  • A digital photo which must be a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB


You will need to pay an administration fee of £20 using a credit or debit card.

Transport for London (opens new window) will post your 18+ Student Oyster photocard to you once we have approved your application.

Tip:

The Oyster photocard is valid for up to three years of your course.

# Check your application status

To track the progress of your application, you can Sign in to your photocard web account (opens new window). If you gave us your mobile number when you applied, we'll text you when your photocard is on its way.

# Use your Oyster photocard

Once you get your 18+ Student Oyster photocard, sign in to your photocard web account (opens new window) to:

Tip:

You can then start using it to travel. Make sure you touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. You only need to touch in on buses and trams. Find out more about touching in and out (opens new window).

# Report a lost card

Use your photocard web account (opens new window) to manage your card or report a lost card.

Tip:

Your 18+ Student Oyster photocard expires when your course ends. We will notify Transport for London when your course has finished and you are no longer eligible.

# Get more information

Find out more about travel in London on our dedicated Student Portal page (opens new window), which also includes a step-by-step guide (opens new window) on how to apply for a TFL 18+ Oyster card and more information about how to apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard (opens new window) if you are under 18.

Last updated: 13/02/2022, 12:03:27