Can I be exempt from the U-Pass BC program?

Langara’s agreement with TransLink allows for students to be ineligible or exempted in very specific and limited situations. These include:

  • students registered in fewer than three credits
  • students who hold a valid U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution for the duration of the applicable semester
  • students who hold a valid transit pass (not including monthly pass) for the duration of the applicable semester
  • students who are permanently or temporarily disabled and whose physical or cognitive barriers cannot be accommodated by using the U-Pass BC benefits
  • students who do not reside in and do not attend on-campus classes in Metro Vancouver*

*Metro Vancouver includes the following regions as outlined in Metro Vancouver Member Municipalities: Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Electoral Area A, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Tsawwassen First Nation, Vancouver, West Vancouver, White Rock.

While the TransLink agreement permits additional "optional exemptions" at Langara's discretion, the number of students exempted under this category cannot exceed one percent of total eligible students according to the agreement with TransLink and is therefore reserved for very specific cases.

In the past, Langara has tried to be accommodating with opt-out requests. In the current environment, we cannot continue with past practice and remain under the one percent optional exemption limit. Effective Spring Semester 2021, student opt-out requests will be carefully reviewed, and only approved in truly exceptional circumstances. This does mean some students who have been permitted to opt out in the past will no longer be exempted.

An optional exemption will not be approved for the following reasons:

  • students enrolled in a single course with on-campus classes scheduled for only one day per week
  • students enrolled in an off-campus or online co-op or practicum term
  • Langara employees who are also students

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please email upass_admin@langara.ca.

The deadline for U-Pass BC exemption for the Spring Semester 2025 is Monday, January 13, 2025. Your request will be reviewed after this deadline and you will be informated of a final decision via email.

Important Notes:

  • Activating the U-Pass for an eligible month will prohibit the system from allowing an exemption for that month and a refund cannot be processed.
  • Exemption requests are valid for the requested semester only and do not automatically carry over to future terms. Students must request an exemption for each semester they are eligible for U-Pass.
  • Prior exemption approvals do not guarantee future approvals.
  • The exemption may be reversed if students subsequently register for an eligible course after an exemption was processed.
  • Should an exemption be issued after paying the full tuition and fees for the semester, domestic students will be issued a refund cheque during the fifth week of classes as per Langara’s refund policy. International student balances will remain on their account for future use or they may contact the Student Accounts Department to request a refund.

Download the Spring 2025 Exemption Request Form.

Download the Medical Exemption Request Form.