Photocard applications

Applications for all Oyster photocards are open.

We are now accepting applications for all Oyster photocards.

We aim to process applications as quickly as we can, but you may experience some intermittent availability of the photocard website, depending on the volume of demand.

Our contact centre team currently have limited access to some systems. We will do all we can to resolve any application queries, however, we may not be able to fully resolve phone queries. There are also delays in responses to online forms submitted.

Expired 5-10 and 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards

Children with expired 5-10 or 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards can continue to travel on TfL and National Rail services (where normally accepted) until Tuesday 31 December 2024 by showing their photocard to staff. This includes 16-year-olds whose 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard expired on 30 September 2024.

Expired photocards will not be accepted for travel on TfL or train operating company services from 1 January 2025. Parents and guardians of those with expired Zip photocards are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for a new photocard to help ensure that they receive their new photocard before the end of the year.

60+ London Oyster photocard

We're currently unable to process 60+ Oyster yearly address checks. Your photocard will keep working as normal. We'll write to you to let you know when to complete the check.

Freedom Passes

Freedom Passes are managed by London Councils, on a separate system. You can continue to apply for a Freedom Pass on the London Councils website.

Refunds

Please keep a record of fares paid as it is our intention to refund customers for additional travel costs incurred while our Oyster photocard website is unavailable. We will make a temporary change to keep data on journeys made using Oyster cards for longer than the usual eight weeks, in order to support future customer refunds and access to journey history.

We will provide information on how to apply for refunds for any additional travel costs incurred due to not being able to apply for a photocard.

Last reviewed 20 November 2024