Students at participating academic institutions in Dubai can now use a single card for their student ID, public transport, and discounts. The Dubai Student Card links student identity, nol transport access, and a global benefits network in one credential.
The card is supported by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), and TECOM Group. For students and families, it means fewer cards to carry and fewer separate applications.
What the Card Includes
The Dubai Student Card is a co-branded card issued through participating schools, colleges, and universities. Each card combines:
- Your institution’s student ID, used for campus identification
- nol functionality, for travel on Dubai’s public transport network and nol payments
- ISIC (International Student Identity Card), an internationally recognized proof of student status
- KHDA student identification, part of a unified student ID approach across Dubai
Students get both a physical card and a digital ID. RTA issues the physical card, and institutions let students know when it is ready to collect. The digital ISIC ID sits in the Alive app, while transport services run through the nol Pay app.
Who Can Use It
The card is open to students enrolled at participating academic institutions in Dubai. Each institution sets its own policies on issuance and use.
Age affects transport fares:
- Ages 5 to 23: Students enrolled at a UAE school, college, or university can get 50% off eligible RTA fares, subject to RTA rules.
- Over 23: Students do not qualify for the student fare. They can still use the card for nol services and ISIC benefits.
The card is personal and non-transferable. It also does not replace an Emirates ID or passport.
Student Discounts
Through ISIC, cardholders can access more than 150,000 student benefits across over 130 countries, including the UAE. Offers span several everyday categories:
- Transport, travel, and accommodation
- Food and beverage
- Retail and technology
- Entertainment, education, and lifestyle
Each offer has its own terms. Some require showing the digital or physical ID, while others use a promo code or online process. It helps to check the conditions of an offer before using it, as age and location limits may apply.
Because the card is linked to active student status, these student-specific benefits may end after graduation.
Registration
There is no confirmed public registration process for individual applicants yet, so the points below should be treated as general information. Students and parents are encouraged to wait for official updates from RTA or their institution before taking any steps.
What current public information indicates:
- The card is issued through participating institutions, rather than through direct individual applications.
- Activation instructions are sent to the student’s registered institution email address.
- Students are notified by their institution when the physical card is ready for collection.
For updates, students can check with their institution’s Student Services department, follow RTA’s official channels, or visit www.dubaistudentcard.ae.
Cost
Public information suggests the card carries an issuance fee of AED 95 plus VAT. This fee reportedly includes AED 20 of pre-loaded nol credit for fares and nol transactions. Since final details may change, it is best to confirm the cost with your institution.
A few other points on cost:
- Travel: Journeys are still paid for, at the student rate where eligible.
- Discounts: Accessing ISIC partner offers carries no extra charge.
- Lost or damaged cards: A lost card should be cancelled through the nol Pay app and reported to Student Services. Any replacement fee is set by the institution.
- Refunds: Cancellations and refund requests go through the nol Pay app or the RTA website, under RTA terms.
What Comes Next
More details on registration and rollout are expected from RTA and participating institutions. Until then, students can stay in touch with Student Services and keep an eye on their institution email for activation steps.