Students in Dubai can still receive 50% off eligible public-transport fares through a personal nol card. The benefit is current in 2026, but the application is no longer best understood as a one-size-fits-all “student package”: RTA now clearly presents two options with different prices and benefits.
The standard Student nol card costs AED 70. The nol ISIC card costs AED 95 and adds international student benefits. Both provide the same 50% transport concession, so the right choice depends on whether the extra ISIC offers are useful to you.
Which student nol card should you choose?
Choose the AED 70 Student nol card if your main goal is cheaper daily travel in Dubai. It is a personal card issued in your name and linked to your eligibility as a student.
Choose the AED 95 nol ISIC card if you also want International Student Identity Card membership. RTA says the ISIC version includes student privileges in the UAE and more than 130 countries, covering areas such as travel, education, shopping and entertainment.
The extra AED 25 buys the ISIC membership; it does not increase the Dubai transport discount. Both cards provide the same 50% concession on eligible fares.
What does the 50% transport discount cover?
The concession applies across RTA public transport in Dubai, including the Metro, Tram, Dubai buses and marine transport. RTA’s current bus guidance says intercity and seasonal bus services are excluded from the student bus discount.
The card must belong to the person using it. A friend or family member cannot borrow a student’s personal nol card to claim the reduced fare, and misuse can lead to penalties.
The concession does not mean every trip is free, and students must still keep enough balance on the card to enter the system. RTA advises passengers to check and top up their balance before travelling.
Who can apply?
Applicants need to be enrolled in the current academic year at a UAE-based school, college or university. RTA asks for proof of active student status, such as a recent official letter from the educational institution or a valid student ID.
You will also need UAE Pass for the online process. For the nol ISIC card, RTA’s current guidance says applicants provide an Emirates ID and proof of student status.
Dubai students whose records can be retrieved automatically from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority may receive automatic approval. Other applicants can upload their documents manually for review. Documents should be in Arabic or English; otherwise, RTA requires a legalised translation.
How to apply for the AED 70 Student nol card
The standard Student nol card can be requested through the RTA website or the nol Pay app. Log in with UAE Pass, choose a personal nol card for the Student category, review your details and upload current proof of enrolment if it is not retrieved automatically.
After approval, you pay the AED 70 fee and receive an application reference by SMS and email. RTA’s published fee breakdown includes the application and card balance.
How to apply for the AED 95 nol ISIC card
The nol ISIC application is handled through the nol Pay app. Log in with UAE Pass, select the ISIC student option, choose your educational institution, submit the application and upload proof of student status when required.
Once approved, pay the AED 95 total. That price includes the standard personal-card cost plus the ISIC fee.
How long does delivery take?
RTA says automatically approved student applications can be delivered within two working days. Applications that require manual document verification can take up to four working days after successful payment. Delivery is free, and the applicant receives tracking and delivery messages.
For the ISIC option, both physical and digital cards are listed as available within four working days after successful payment. Keep the mobile number used in the application active so the delivery company can reach you.
How long does the student discount last?
The personal nol card itself is valid for five years, but the student concession is valid for one year. Students must renew the concession annually and provide current proof that they remain eligible.
RTA sends expiry reminders before the concession ends. Renewing on time matters: an unrenewed card may remain physically valid while the reduced student fare no longer applies.
Can you switch between the Student and ISIC cards?
Yes, but RTA says you cannot simply convert one active card into the other. You first need to cancel the existing card and request a refund of its remaining balance and validity. After the refund is processed, you can apply for the other card and pay the relevant fee.
That makes it worth choosing carefully at the start. Students who only need the transport concession can save AED 25 with the regular card, while frequent travellers or students who use international discounts may find the ISIC membership more valuable.
What about the advertised retail discounts?
When the nol Student Package launched in 2024, RTA promoted discounts of up to 70% through the ISIC partnership. “Up to” is important: it does not mean every shop gives 70% off, and participating merchants, products and redemption rules can change.
Check the current benefit listing before buying the ISIC version for a particular offer. The transport concession is the fixed core benefit; retail, travel and entertainment offers depend on the active partner programme.
What parents and younger students should know
A guardian can apply or renew on behalf of a dependent through the RTA process and may need to provide proof of the relationship. RTA’s unaccompanied-minor guidance says children under eight should not use public transport alone, children aged eight to 11 require parental permission, and those aged 12 and above may travel unaccompanied.
Children under five can use the Metro, Tram and Dubai buses free, so a paid student card is not needed solely for those journeys.
Where to verify the latest terms
Application rules and partner offers can change. Before paying, check RTA’s current personal nol card application page, its renewal and fee guidance, and the live nol ISIC benefits page.
Dubai.News will keep this guide current as RTA updates the programme. You can also follow our broader Dubai transport coverage for service changes that affect everyday journeys.
