Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the New Dubai Student Card, bringing transport concessions, student identification and international discounts together in one card. The initiative targets students at participating educational institutions and will be introduced in phases. It aims to make daily commuting easier while giving students access to savings in Dubai and overseas.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Organisation: RTA, KHDA, TECOM Group and ISIC
- Status: Announced on 11 November 2026; phased rollout planned
- Who is affected: Students at participating educational institutions
- Benefits: Up to 50% off RTA transport and 150,000+ international offers
- What’s next: Educational institutions can apply to join through the official portal
Dubai has launched a new Student Card offering up to 50% off RTA public transport fares and access to more than 150,000 benefits across 130 countries. Announced by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on 11 November 2026, the initiative brings student identification, nol transport functionality and internationally recognised student status into one card.
The Dubai Student Card has been developed in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Park and the International Student Identity Card Association (ISIC).
The phased rollout will involve participating educational institutions, which can apply to join through the official Dubai Student Card website.
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What Benefits Does the New Dubai Student Card Offer?
The new card combines several services that students would otherwise access through separate platforms or identification systems.
RTA has outlined four main benefit categories:
1. Public transport discounts
Students can receive discounts of up to 50% on RTA public transport services. The card also includes nol functionality, allowing students to use it for eligible journeys across Dubai’s public transport network.
2. Campus identification
The card will serve as proof of student status at participating educational institutions. This gives students an additional identification option within their respective campuses.
3. Discounts across the UAE
Cardholders will have access to exclusive local offers and benefits. These are intended to cover different lifestyle and everyday spending categories.
4. International student benefits
Through ISIC, students can access more than 150,000 benefits in over 130 countries. These include offers on travel, accommodation, dining, shopping, entertainment and education.
The international component could be particularly useful for students who travel during holidays, study abroad or visit other countries.
How Will Students Get 50% Off RTA Public Transport?
The transport discount is one of the main attractions of the Dubai Student Card, particularly for students who regularly commute between home and their educational institutions.
The card integrates RTA’s nol functionality, allowing eligible students to benefit from discounted public transport fares.
However, the 50% concession is not entirely new. RTA had already introduced a nol Student Package in October 2024 in partnership with ISIC.
The earlier package offered students discounted public transport fares alongside local and international shopping, travel and lifestyle benefits.
RTA’s existing student nol service also allows eligible students to apply for a personalised card. Applications involve student verification, with UAE Pass available for the digital application process.
The November 2026 announcement builds on this existing arrangement by bringing student identification, transport access and international recognition together through the New Dubai Student Card.
Students should check the official programme information before applying, as the application arrangements for the newly announced card may differ from the existing nol Student Package.
How Many International Discounts Can Students Access?
The partnership with ISIC adds an international dimension to the new initiative.
ISIC is an internationally recognised student identification programme that connects eligible students with discounts and offers in different countries.
Through the Dubai Student Card, students can access more than 150,000 benefits across over 130 countries.
The offers cover several categories:
- Travel: Discounts and offers on selected travel services.
- Accommodation: Savings on participating accommodation options.
- Dining: Offers at participating restaurants and food outlets.
- Shopping: Deals across selected retail brands.
- Entertainment: Discounts on leisure and entertainment experiences.
- Education: Offers related to learning and educational services.
These benefits extend the card’s usefulness beyond Dubai. Students travelling internationally can use their recognised student status to explore available offers in participating destinations.
The actual discounts and eligibility conditions will depend on individual participating businesses and service providers.
How Does the Student Card Support Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy?
The initiative also connects with Dubai’s wider plans to strengthen its education sector.
KHDA’s Education 33 (E33) Strategy aims to develop a future-ready education system and establish Dubai as a leading international education destination by 2033.
The strategy focuses on improving education quality, supporting students and educators, encouraging innovation and attracting international learners.
Dubai’s private education sector provides an indication of the scale of this ambition. KHDA reported 387,441 students enrolled across 227 private schools during the 2024–25 academic year, with schools offering 17 different curricula.
The emirate also has ambitions to attract more international students to its higher education institutions.
By combining transport access, campus identification and international benefits, the New Dubai Student Card supports a more connected student experience.
RTA’s collaboration with KHDA and TECOM Group also brings together the transport and education sectors, making the initiative relevant to Dubai’s wider efforts to improve student mobility and educational opportunities.
How Can Educational Institutions Apply for the Dubai Student Card?
The New Dubai Student Card will be introduced through a phased rollout rather than becoming available to everyone immediately.
RTA has invited educational institutions to apply to participate in the initiative through its official website.
Institutions interested in joining can visit Dubai Student Card’s official website.
RTA has not yet confirmed a public launch date for individual student applications or provided complete details about fees, eligibility requirements and the first participating institutions.
Students should therefore wait for further instructions from their educational institutions or RTA before assuming they can apply directly.
For students living and studying in Dubai, regular transport expenses can form a significant part of their monthly budget. A 50% public transport concession can help eligible students manage these costs.
The international benefits also give the card value beyond daily commuting, particularly for those who travel or study overseas.
Educational institutions will play an important role in the rollout, as participation will determine which students can access the new integrated service.
The next step is for interested institutions to apply and for RTA to share further details about availability, eligibility and individual applications.
FAQs
1. What is the new Dubai Student Card?
The New Dubai Student Card is an initiative by RTA that combines student identification, nol public transport functionality and internationally recognised student benefits through ISIC.
2. Does the Dubai Student Card offer 50% off public transport?
Yes. Eligible students can receive up to 50% off RTA public transport fares through the card’s integrated nol functionality.
3. How many international benefits does the Dubai Student Card offer?
The card provides access to more than 150,000 ISIC benefits across over 130 countries, covering travel, accommodation, dining, shopping, entertainment and education.
4. Can students apply for the Dubai Student Card now?
RTA has announced a phased rollout and invited educational institutions to participate. Individual student application dates have not yet been confirmed.
5. Where can educational institutions register?
Interested educational institutions can visit the official website at dubaistudentcard.ae to find information about joining the initiative.
Dubai’s New Student Card brings transport savings, campus identification and international student benefits into one initiative. While the rollout will take place in phases, the programme adds another layer of support for students studying in the emirate. Further details from RTA will clarify when individual students can access the card and its benefits.
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