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Young woman standing at a bus stop holding her white cane in front. The bus is approaching.

CNIB Card

Your CNIB card can be used as proof of disability for some government programs and tax benefits. It may also entitle you to some concessions from governments and community partners, such as:

  • Free or discounted transit passes
  • Free or discounted air, train and bus fares for you or your sighted guide 
  • Free or discounted events and attractions admissions for you or your sighted guide
  • Additional accessibility services from banks and other businesses

The CNIB card confirms that the name of the individual on the card meets the requirements for legal blindness. The CNIB card is not issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority. Therefore, it is not considered valid acceptable identification.

Am I eligible?

You’re eligible for a CNIB card if you are legally blind, meaning:

  • Your visual acuity is 20/200 or less in both eyes after correction, and/or
  • You have a visual field of 20 degrees or narrower

What is needed to apply

To apply for a CNIB card, you’ll need:

  • Proof of your sight loss, such as an eye report from a doctor
  • A colour passport-style photo taken within the last six months
  • $10 processing fee, payable by cheque, money order or credit card

How to apply for a card?

Step 1 – Complete a VLRC Referral (VLRC assesses eligibility for the card) – using one of the referral forms found HERE.  For members of the community or self referral please use the Self and Community Referral form option.

Step 2 –  Fax or email an eye report completed by an Eye Care professional to: Fax: 1-844-268-7294, Connect with VLRC using the Contact Us form for instructions to send via email

VLRC will assess the eye report to determine eligibility for a CNIB Card
- If declined – VLRC will connect with you.  If your eyesight worsens in the future, you can submit a new eye report (step 2)
​​​​​​​- If approved – VLRC will refer the file to CNIB to complete the card process

Step 3 – CNIB will connect with the client to arrange for the payment and photo to be received

Step 4 – CNIB will request the card to be printed and sent out via Canada Post Mail (it may be up to two weeks before the cards are printed)

To apply for a new card, please contact Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada at 1-844-887-8572 or info@vlrehab.ca

To renew an existing card or replace a lost or damaged card, please contact CNIB at 1-800-563-2642 or use our "Contact us" form