Student Nol Card Dubai: Apply, Eligibility & Discount Guide

Being a student, it’s very difficult to manage things when you have a tight budget, and you have to fit all your needs into that budget. In such situations, when fares are added for your school visits, the situation becomes very frustrating. You have to build your future by attending school, but you are low on budget to manage everything within your pocket money.

The Dubai government noticed this problematic and the importance of young people, as youngsters are the future of every nation. So, they introduced a special type of Nol card “Student Nol Card”, which adds benefits to the lives of students, making it easier for them to manage everything from fares to meal management. This offer is not only customized for Dubai students, but international students are also eligible for these benefits.

Student Nol Card

Student Nol Card in 2026

The Dubai government provides special concessions and offers to students for traveling on the metro. RTA has issued a special NOL card for students that contain specs discount packages.

Where local public transport facilitates students with 50% off on every fare, the Dubai government has added some more benefits in the life of students; hence, it is more manageable while remaining on a low budget. 

Features of Students NOL Card

Some core features of the Student Nol card that make it unique are:

Unique Offers for students 

Students can save on flights, accommodations, shopping and dining in over 130 countries across the world. RTA has made it more beneficial for students now.

Personalized NOL Integrated Card for Students

 Worldwide recognition through these benefits makes students special while maintaining their budget. This card helps in international recognition of students, making it a customized card which is further integrated with the NOL system.

Shopping benefits with NOL card for students

 While visiting local and international brands for shopping, the student NOL card helps you to save up to 70% off, both in the UAE and abroad.

  • 50% off on trips: While visiting public transport (metro, buses and Trams), students can enjoy 50% off throughout their tour.
  • Payments: While in the UAE, students can use it as a payment method at retail outlets.

Note: The RTA’s Salah Al Deen Al Marzooqi mentioned: “Students studying in the UAE will now gain access to thousands of offers and discounts on shopping, flights and more.”

Eligibility Criteria for Student NOL Card

  • The age of a student must be between 5 and 23 years to enjoy 50% off on all public transport while in Dubai. Kids under 5 years can enjoy their trips in Dubai free of cost.
  • Students must be full-time students enrolled in a recognized school, college or university in Dubai. Both national and international students are eligible for this card.
  • As proof to issue this card, students must provide the required valid documents (e.g. Emirates ID and proof of enrolment).
  • Only Dubai’s transport system integrated with the NOL system allows you to use this card.
  • You must have at least 70 AED on this card in which 20 AED are for preloaded credits.

Requirements  for  Student NOL card

  • The student must be enrolled in a recognized school, college or university in the UAE. In addition to this, you must have the following documents as essentials for this process:
  • Valid Emirates ID
  • Passport-sized photograph
  • English/Arabic language document (as potential proof of your student status).

How to apply for a Student nol card?

Both online and offline methods are available as application processes, depending on preferences.

Online Process for Obtaining Metro student card

The digital era needs digital updates, so the online method makes it more convenient for applicants to complete the process without going anywhere. Read these steps carefully to proceed for application:

  • Open the official NOL website (RTA website). Go to the homepage.
  • Search for the personalized NOL card section.
  • Among the various options, you have to select the student category for this application.
  • Your personal information will be required to complete the form, e.g. name, Emirates ID number and birth date.
  • You must have the required documents in soft form to be uploaded to the application. Required documents include student ID, Emirates ID and passport size photo.
  • The last step is the payment method. Pay the required amount through a debit card, credit card or any other online method for payment.
  • If your application is approved, your card will be delivered to your doorstep through a courier service, or otherwise you can collect it through the RTA service center.

Offline/Physical application for NOL card

Students must explore the nearest RTA customer happiness center to apply offline.

  • No card sales office or RTA customer happiness service is available to apply offline for the application of a student NOL card.
  • You must have the required documents in hand to apply and complete the application process. Required documents include student card, Emirates ID, language certificate, and passport-sized photograph.
  • Payment can be made at the service counter.
  • After application submission, the student will receive the card within a few working days (5-7 working days).

Important Note: The student card limit is 1 year (with an initial cost of 70 AED, with a 20 AED included balance); after that, you have to renew it at a cost of 50 AED per year.

How to Top-Up student NOL card?

After receiving your NOL integrated student card, you have to manage the balance and keep track of it. Multiple convenient methods are available to recharge the student NOL card.

  • Nol Pay app is available for online top-up of the card.
  • Online banking also provides the opportunity to top up smartly.
  • As a part of offline method, metro station vending machines are available to top-up the card in a much faster way.
  • There are authorized retail locations available to recharge the card in a more secured and convenient way.

Student Metro card and Considerable packages

Like other cards, the Student Nol card can also be upgraded according to the subscription plan selected.

  • Pay-as-you-go: With 50% regular fares suggested by student nol card for public transport, different travel zones offer further discounts for students than regular fare.
  • 1- Zone: Regular fare for other persons on public transport through zone 1 is 3 AED, while for students it is 1.5 AED.
  • 2- Zone: Regular fare while passing through this zone is 5 AED while for students it is 2.5 AED.
  • 3+ – Zone: Regular fare for this zone is 7.50 AED, while for students with a 50% discount, it becomes 3.75 AED.
  • Unlimited Travel: The monthly pass for students can be updated for unlimited travel.
  • 1- Zone: The monthly pass cost for Zone 1 for students to travel unlimited is 100 AED.
  • 2- Zone: For this zone, the offer can be availed at a cost of 170 AED per month.
  • All Zones: For all other zones (3+ zones), unlimited travel offers can be enjoyed at the cost of 230 AED per month.

Comparison of Standard and Student Nol card

Standard Nol card

Student nol card

There is full fare charge on all public transports.

50% off on every trip with this card.

No special offers are available.

International benefits available while shopping with this card.

Payments options are limited.

Enhanced payment options included school payments.

Limited basic functionality (transport payments).

Globally recognized with student nol card.

Savings can be justified considerably for students who use the card on a regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The validity of the student NOL card is 1year. After that, you have to renew it annually at a cost of 50 AED per year to keep enjoying student benefits associated with the card.

Yes, if international students meet the criteria for full-time enrolled students in Dubai, by providing the required documents, they can get a student NOL card as well.

You can recover it by either reporting it online or physically reporting the loss at RTA customer service by paying a small replacement fee (70 AED).

In addition to basic transport discounts activation on the student NOL card, international discounts (ISIC benefits) can be fully activated by an additional payment of 25 AED with a registration fee.

Nol Pay app provides an opportunity to conveniently manage your balance even remotely. So, yes, the good news is that your parents can recharge your student Nol card even when they are not in town.

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