Students can also get retail savings by signing up for the Nol Plus loyalty programme through RTA’s digital channels
Nol cards held by students in Dubai are about to become far more useful. From December 2026, they can be used for online payments and at outlets across the GCC, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.
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The student version will have the same features as a standard Nol Card, an RTA spokesperson told Khaleej Times.
Students will be able to top up online, manage their profile and renew their card without visiting a centre. Parents can also manage their child’s account or card.
The card already gives students 50 per cent off public transport in Dubai. Those who sign up for Nol Plus, the RTA’s loyalty programme, through its digital channels also get savings at retail outlets.
When was the Nol Student Card launched?
It launched in 2009, soon after Dubai Metro opened. The RTA has printed 43,800 student cards since 2024, and 49,500 are currently active.
Students use some stations more than others. These are the five most popular among card holders:
- Burjuman Metro Station
- Stadium Metro Station
- Oud Metha Metro Station
- Dubai Internet City Metro Station
- City Centre Deira Metro Station
How to apply for the Nol Student Card
You can apply on the RTA website or the Nol Pay app if you’re a school or university student in the UAE under 23. You’ll need to submit your Emirates ID and a photograph, along with a Student Confirmation Letter stamped by your school, college or university. The card costs Dh70 and is valid for five years.
There’s also the Nol ISIC card, which brings student discounts in more than 130 countries. The RTA announced it in 2024 after partnering with the International Student Identity Card Association, and it doubles as an international student ID.
The RTA said at the time that students could save up to 70 per cent with local and international brands, in addition to the 50 per cent transport discount.
Other changes to the Nol system
The student card is one part of a wider overhaul. The RTA is switching Nol to account-based ticketing, so commuters will be able to link their cards to digital accounts and use QR code tickets. Fares will also be payable with bank cards and digital wallets.
Another change is the Nol-Jaywan card, which merges the Nol transport system with the UAE’s national payment scheme. A pilot begins in November 2026, and cardholders will get more than 120 offers and discounts.
For students, the card has mostly meant travel and campus canteens so far. From December, it can handle everyday payments as well.
Also Read: Dubai RTA Turns 20 With Free Gifts, NOL Cards and Exciting Cinema Deals For Commuters
