GCC Retail Shopping and Online Pays Added to Dubai Student Cards Next Month
At busy transit hubs like City Centre Deira Metro Station, thousands of students tap through the gates daily using their blue transit cards. Starting December 2026, those same passes will work far beyond school gates and train turnstiles.
Regional Store Payments and Parent Controls Arrive Next Month
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed that student cards are undergoing a major functional upgrade next month. While retaining the standard 50 per cent public transport discount, the cards will begin working as regional payment tools for online shopping and in-store purchases across the GCC. Parents will also gain administrative access to manage accounts, oversee balances, and handle card renewals digitally.
The daily routine for student commuters won’t lose its core perks, but loading funds will get simpler. Instant top-ups are moving to online channels, eliminating the need to queue at station ticket machines before morning classes.
Applying for the card remains open to any school or university student in the UAE under the age of 23 through the RTA website or the Nol pay app. Applicants need to submit their Emirates ID, a photograph, and an official, stamped Student Confirmation Letter from their institution. The card costs Dh70 and stays valid for five years.
RTA records show 49,500 active student cards currently in circulation, with 43,800 printed since 2024.
