Student NOL Card – How to Apply, Price, Discounts & Eligibility
Complete guide to the Student NOL card — who is eligible, how to apply online and in person, what discounts students get on Dubai Metro and RTA Bus, required documents, card renewal, and how the Student NOL card compares to the standard Silver card.
What Is the Student NOL Card?
The Student NOL card is a subsidised prepaid transport card issued by RTA Dubai exclusively to students enrolled in UAE educational institutions — from primary schools through to universities. It is part of RTA's commitment to making public transport accessible and affordable for students, encouraging daily use of metro, bus, and tram services rather than private vehicles or school buses for eligible routes.
Unlike the standard Silver NOL card which charges full fares, the Student NOL card applies a government-subsidised discounted fare on every trip — approximately 50% lower than standard Silver rates. The card itself is provided free — there is no AED 25 purchase fee unlike Silver and Gold cards. The discount applies across all RTA transport modes: Dubai Metro, RTA Bus, Dubai Tram, and Water Bus.
Who Is Eligible for a Student NOL Card?
Eligibility for the Student NOL card is based on active enrollment in a UAE-recognised educational institution and valid UAE residency. The card is available to students of all nationalities provided they hold a valid Emirates ID and active UAE student visa or resident visa. It is not available to tourists, visitors, or individuals not enrolled in a UAE institution.
✓ Eligible Students
Government and private school students (K-12), university and college students, vocational training institute students enrolled in UAE.
✗ Not Eligible
Tourists, visitors, non-enrolled individuals, students on visit visa, students whose enrollment has lapsed or graduated.
📋 Required Documents
Valid Emirates ID, current student ID card, official enrollment verification letter from school/university, passport copy.
How to Apply for a Student NOL Card
There are two main routes to apply for a Student NOL card — through your educational institution (fastest, recommended) or directly at an RTA Customer Happiness Centre. Most UAE schools and universities have an RTA-designated liaison officer who handles batch applications for all students — this route involves zero visits to an RTA centre and typically delivers the card within 1–2 weeks.
Route 1 — Via School or University (Recommended)
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1Contact your school or university admin office and ask about the Student NOL card application process. Request the RTA student card application form.
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2Complete the application form and attach copies of Emirates ID, passport, and passport-size photo.
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3Submit to institution's RTA liaison officer who forwards the batch application to RTA Dubai for processing.
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4Receive Student NOL card through the school within 1–2 weeks. No visit to RTA required.
Route 2 — Directly at RTA Customer Happiness Centre
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1Visit any RTA Customer Happiness Centre in Dubai during business hours.
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2Bring required documents: original Emirates ID, current student ID, enrollment verification letter from institution, passport copy, and passport-size photo.
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3Complete the Student NOL card application form at the centre — staff will assist.
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4Card issued on the spot or within a few working days depending on centre workload. No fee charged.
Student NOL Card Discounts – Fare Comparison
The Student NOL card discount is applied automatically at every fare gate tap — no voucher, code, or manual claim is needed. The discounted fare is deducted directly from the card balance on every journey across all eligible RTA transport modes.
| Journey | Silver Fare | Student Fare | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro – Zone 1 | AED 4.00 | AED 2.00 | AED 2.00 |
| Metro – Zone 2 | AED 5.00 | AED 2.50 | AED 2.50 |
| Metro – All Zones | AED 7.50 | AED 4.00 | AED 3.50 |
| RTA Bus | AED 3.00 | AED 1.50 | AED 1.50 |
| Dubai Tram | AED 3.00 | AED 1.50 | AED 1.50 |
| Daily Cap | AED 18.00 | AED 9.00 | AED 9.00 |
| Monthly Estimate (5 days/wk) | ~AED 350 | ~AED 175 | ~AED 175/month |
Student NOL Card Validity & Annual Renewal
The Student NOL card is issued with a validity tied to the academic year — typically valid for one year from the date of issue. At the end of each academic year, the card must be renewed through the same application route — via the school liaison or RTA Customer Happiness Centre — with updated enrollment verification confirming continued student status. The card number and any remaining balance are retained on renewal — only the validity period and student status are updated.
📅 When to Renew
Before card expiry — check expiry date at nol.ae expiry check. Apply for renewal at least 2 weeks before expiry to avoid any gap in discounted fares.
📋 Renewal Documents
Updated enrollment verification letter from institution for the new academic year. Emirates ID must also be current and valid at time of renewal.
💰 Balance on Renewal
Any remaining balance on the Student NOL card carries over to the renewed card — no balance is lost during the annual renewal process.
Student NOL Card vs Silver vs Gold – Quick Comparison
| Feature | Student NOL | Silver NOL | Gold NOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card Fee | Free | AED 25 | AED 25 |
| Metro Fare (Zone 1) | AED 2.00 | AED 4.00 | AED 8.00 |
| Gold Class Access | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Monthly Pass | ~AED 175 | AED 350 | AED 700 |
| Eligibility | Enrolled students only | Anyone | Anyone |
| Application Required | ✓ Via school/RTA | ✗ Buy at TVM | ✗ Buy at TVM |
| Annual Renewal | ✓ Required | ✗ | ✗ |