Electronic Validity
Within the Systems of the Silesian University
Many systems of the Silesian University use chip readers to identify users and their specific authorizations. Physical chip cards are therefore equipped with contactless chips for this purpose. Electronic validity means the ability of the card to confirm the user’s authorization when placed against a reader and to allow them to perform the intended action.
All chip cards are valid in this regard for the entire duration of studies or employment and will allow you to perform such actions upon placement against a reader, for which you are authorized (printing and scanning, classroom access, etc.).
Licensed chip cards ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE and ALIVE Employee are valid in the systems of the Silesian University in this regard and will function on readers even if their license validity (revalidation) has not been extended. The only condition for their electronic validity in the systems of the Silesian University is the continuation of studies or employment.
Previously issued graduate chip cards only allow access to the library. The validity of these cards in terms of enjoying benefits provided by SU and its partners is not limited.
Within the GTS Systems
ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee and ALIVE Graduate chip cards can be read not only in the systems of the Silesian University, but also in the international network of ISIC or GTS contractual partners, where a valid card entitles you to discounts. The validity of the card for these purposes depends on the validity of the ISIC, ITIC, or ALIVE license. At a merchant participating in this network, the validity of your chip card may be verified through an electronic reader.
Licensed ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee and ALIVE Graduate cards also have a digital version, which can be used to claim discounts within the ISIC partner network just like their plastic chip version. The digital version of these cards is available through the Alive App.
The electronic validity of both digital and chip (plastic) versions of licensed cards is identical, based on the duration of the purchased GTS license, and can last up to 16 months. Depending on the date of payment of the license or revalidation fee, it starts as early as September 1 and ends on December 31 of the following calendar year. The electronic validity of licensed cards can be renewed annually by paying the revalidation fee.
For digital cards, their electronic validity is indicated in the Alive App, and the reliability of this information is guaranteed by visual security features. The validity of digital cards can also be verified by scanning a QR code.
The validity of benefits and discounts associated with student or employee status ends on the day of termination of studies or employment. Other benefits and discounts not tied to student or academic staff status may be used until the end of the ISIC, ITIC, or ALIVE license validity.
Visual Validity
This serves to verify the validity of a chip card in situations where an electronic reader is not available. Visual validity is shown as a printed detail on the card and is limited to a fixed period. The validity period can be extended with a revalidation sticker affixed to the card. However, from September 1, 2025, revalidation stickers for ISIC, ITIC and ALIVE cards will no longer be issued, as the license issuer, GTS, s.r.o., is discontinuing them in connection with the transition to digital versions of licensed cards available in the AliveApp mobile application. Only revalidation stickers for STUDENT cards will remain, extending their validity by 12 months.
Employee and Student Cards
The visual validity of EMPLOYEE and STUDENT chip cards is set for 12 months of the academic year. It begins on September 1 at the earliest and ends on August 31 of the following calendar year.
The visual validity of these cards can be extended by a card center staff member at one of the distribution points by affixing a revalidation sticker. Issuance of a revalidation sticker is conditional on the continuation of studies or employment and is free of charge.
Licensed ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE and AliveID Graduate Cards
The visual validity of ISIC, ITIC and ALIVE cards can last up to 16 months. Depending on the date of payment of the license or revalidation fee, it starts as early as September 1 and ends on December 31 of the following calendar year.
The visual validity of ISIC, ITIC and ALIVE chip cards used to be extended with a revalidation sticker. From September 1, 2025, revalidation stickers for ISIC, ITIC and ALIVE cards will no longer be issued, as the license issuer, GTS, s.r.o., is discontinuing them in connection with the transition to the digital version of licensed cards available in the AliveApp application.
For digital versions of licensed cards, their validity can be visually verified in the Alive App. The validity of the digital card confirms the holder’s identity, the duration of the specified type of study, employment or completed studies, and the validity of the GTS license. The reliability of this information is guaranteed by visual security features. The validity of digital cards can also be verified by scanning a QR code. The validity of these cards can be extended, provided eligibility continues, by paying the revalidation fee.
The AliveID Graduate card is now only issued as a digital card available in the AliveApp mobile application, where its validity is also indicated. Its validity is automatically and freely extended and is not limited in any way.
