NOL Card Renewal

A nol card renewal depends on the type of card you use. Personal nol cards can be renewed through the RTA website or nol Pay app, while anonymous Silver and Gold cards must normally be replaced after their five-year validity ends.

Renewing a card is also different from topping up its balance or renewing a weekly, monthly or annual Travel Pass. Understanding this difference prevents you from selecting the wrong service or paying for a new card unnecessarily.

Before renewing or replacing your card, check your current Nol Card Balance to confirm whether any funds remain. This helps you decide if you need to request a balance transfer or refund before the old card expires.

Standard Silver, Gold and Personal nol cards are generally valid for five years. However, concession benefits for students, senior citizens and eligible People of Determination may require annual renewal even when the physical card remains valid.

NOL card type	Physical card validity	Can it be renewed?	What you should do
Personal Silver card	5 years	Yes	Renew online or through nol Pay
Personal Gold card	5 years	Yes	Renew online or through nol Pay
Student Personal card	5 years	Yes	Renew the card every five years and concession annually
Senior Personal card	5 years	Yes	Renew the card every five years and concession annually
People of Determination card	5 years	Yes	Renew the card and update concession eligibility when required
Anonymous Silver card	5 years	No standard renewal	Buy a new Silver card
Anonymous Gold card	5 years	No standard renewal	Buy a new Gold card
Registered Silver or Gold card	5 years	Not through Personal card renewal	Replace the expired card and recover the balance
Red Ticket	90 days or 10 trips	No	Purchase a new ticket

What Does NOL Card Renewal Mean?

Nol card renewal means applying for a renewed Personal nol card before or after the existing card reaches the end of its validity. A renewed card is issued with a new validity period while retaining the features linked to the original Personal card.

The renewal service is available for:

Regular Personal nol cards
Personal Silver cards
Personal Gold cards
Student nol cards
Senior Emirati and resident cards
People of Determination cards

The renewed Personal nol card remains valid for five years. Its remaining balance, travel class, eligible category and active concession period are retained on the renewed card.

NOL Card Renewal, Replacement and Travel Pass Renewal Compared

These three services are often confused, but they solve different problems.

Service	When it is needed	What happens
NOL card renewal	A Personal card is approaching or has reached expiry	A renewed Personal card is issued
NOL card replacement	A Personal card is lost, damaged or faulty	A replacement card is issued
Travel Pass renewal	A weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual pass is expiring	The fare product is renewed on the existing card
NOL card top-up	The card balance is low	Money is added to the e-purse
Anonymous card purchase	A Silver or Gold anonymous card has expired	A completely new card is purchased

Travel Passes can be valid for 7, 30, 90 or 365 days, depending on the card and passenger category. Renewing a Travel Pass does not extend the five-year validity of the physical nol card.

How to Check Your NOL Card Expiry

Check your card validity before starting a nol card renewal application. A low balance, expired Travel Pass and expired physical card can produce different messages at Metro gates or ticket machines.

Check Through the nol Pay App

The nol Pay app can read supported physical cards through NFC and display card information.

Turn on NFC on your phone.
Open the nol Pay app.
Log in using UAE Pass.
Select the option to check or manage a nol card.
Hold the card against the NFC area of your phone.
Review the card information and validity details.

You may also select a card already linked to your RTA account instead of scanning it again. The app supports card information checks, Personal card applications, renewals, top-ups and Travel Pass management.

Check Through Your RTA Account

Log in using your RTA account or UAE Pass and open the Manage nol Card section. Select the linked card to review its status and available services.

Personal card holders receive expiry notifications through SMS and email approximately 30 days and 15 days before the card or concession expires. Make sure the mobile number and email address connected to your account are current.

Check at a Metro Station

Take the card to a Metro station ticket office if you cannot check it online. The station agent can read the card and help identify whether the problem relates to expiry, insufficient balance, a pending transaction or a damaged card.

Do not discard an expired card until you confirm whether it contains a remaining balance or active fare product.

How to Renew a Personal NOL Card Online

The RTA online service allows Personal card holders to submit a nol card renewal request without visiting a service centre.

Step 1: Log In

Log in using your UAE Pass or RTA account. When using UAE Pass, authorise access to your full name, mobile number, email address and date of birth.

Step 2: Open Manage NOL Card

Go to your dashboard and select Manage nol Card. Choose the service for renewing or replacing a Personal nol card.

Step 3: Select the Applicant

Choose whether you are applying:

For yourself
On behalf of a dependent
On behalf of a linked family member

A parent or guardian can renew a dependent’s card by selecting the relevant linked Tag ID or entering it manually.

Step 4: Confirm the Card Details

Review the existing card category and select the required travel class, card design and available options.

Students may also be offered the option to apply for a nol card with an International Student Identity Card, commonly known as ISIC.

Step 5: Submit Supporting Documents

Some eligibility information may be retrieved automatically from connected UAE government records. If the system cannot retrieve it, upload the required documents manually.

Step 6: Enter the Delivery Address

Provide complete delivery details, including:

Emirate
Area
Street
Building or villa number
Apartment number, when applicable
Active mobile number

Step 7: Review the Application

Check the card category, name, delivery information and uploaded documents. Submit the application once all information is correct.

Step 8: Pay the Renewal Fee

Applications using automatically verified records may proceed directly to payment. Manually uploaded documents can require up to two working days for review before a payment link is sent by SMS and email.

Step 9: Track the Renewal

You will receive an application reference number and status updates through SMS and email. The physical card is normally delivered within four working days after successful payment or final approval.

How to Renew a NOL Card Through nol Pay

The nol Pay app is a practical option for users with an NFC-enabled smartphone.

Open nol Pay and log in using UAE Pass.
Select Renew a Personal nol Card.
Hold the card against your phone’s NFC area.
Alternatively, select a card already linked to your RTA account.
Review your personal information.
Confirm the existing category and travel class.
Update the delivery address.
Choose a different card design, when available.
Upload any requested eligibility document.
Submit the application.
Pay the applicable renewal fee after approval.
Follow the application updates sent by SMS and email.

The physical card can be delivered within four working days. Where a digital card option is available and selected, it may also become downloadable within four working days after payment.

Documents Required for NOL Card Renewal

Document requirements depend on the passenger category and whether eligibility information can be verified automatically.

Applicant category	Common renewal requirement
Regular adult	No additional document is normally required when personal data is verified
KHDA-registered student aged 5 to 23	Student information may be retrieved automatically
Student not registered under KHDA	Current enrolment letter from a UAE school, college or university
People of Determination resident with Sanad card	Information may be verified automatically
People of Determination resident without Sanad card	Official People of Determination card or certificate
People of Determination tourist	Sanad Tourist card
Senior Emirati or resident	No additional document is normally required when eligibility is verified

Uploaded documents must normally:

Be in PDF format
Be no larger than 2 MB
Be written in Arabic or English
Include a legalised translation if issued in another language
Be valid and clearly readable

Students submitting an enrolment letter should make sure it confirms registration for the current academic year. Old letters, unclear scans and screenshots without institutional details can delay approval.

NOL Card Renewal Fees

Renewal charges depend mainly on the travel class, design and additional card features rather than only the passenger category.

Renewed Personal card	Application fee	Included balance	Additional charge	Total
Personal Silver card	AED 50	AED 20	None	AED 70
Personal Silver with ISIC	AED 50	AED 20	AED 25	AED 95
Personal Gold card	AED 50	AED 20	AED 10	AED 80
Personal Silver with special design	AED 50	AED 20	AED 30	AED 100
Personal Gold with special design	AED 50	AED 20	AED 40	AED 110
People of Determination card	Free	As applicable	None	Free

Payment can be made using a credit or debit card. Delivery of the renewed Personal nol card is free.

Student, Senior and People of Determination Concession Renewal

The five-year expiry of a Personal card is separate from the expiry of its concession benefit.

Student NOL Card Renewal

A Student Personal nol card remains physically valid for five years, but the student concession must be renewed annually. The applicant must still meet the eligibility rules and may need to provide a current enrolment letter.

Students whose education records are available through the connected system may have their status verified automatically. Other students should submit a recent official letter from a UAE-based educational institution.

Senior NOL Card Renewal

Eligible senior Emiratis and residents must keep their concession status valid if they want to continue receiving the applicable fare benefit.

The physical card does not need to be reissued every year unless its five-year validity is ending. However, the concession should be renewed annually when required.

People of Determination Card Renewal

Resident People of Determination may also need to renew their concession eligibility annually. Supporting documents can include a Sanad card, an official People of Determination card or another approved certificate.

The physical Personal nol card remains valid for five years. The renewal fee for the People of Determination card is listed as free.

Can You Renew an Anonymous Silver or Gold NOL Card?

Anonymous Silver and Gold cards are not eligible for the Personal nol card renewal service. Once an anonymous card reaches the end of its five-year validity, purchase a new card and recover any eligible remaining balance from the old one.

A new anonymous Silver or Gold card costs AED 25 and includes AED 19 as usable balance. Both card types are normally valid for five years.

Replacing an Expired Silver Card

Visit a Metro station ticket office or Ticket Vending Machine.
Purchase a new Silver nol card.
Keep the expired card and note its Tag ID.
Register the new card if you want the expired balance transferred to it.
Submit a refund or balance-transfer request for the old card.

Replacing an Expired Gold Card

Follow the same process but purchase a new Gold card. Gold cards provide access to Gold Class cabins on Dubai Metro and Tram, where the applicable fare is higher than the standard Silver fare.

What Happens to Your Balance After NOL Card Renewal?

For a Personal nol card, the remaining e-purse balance and the original card features are retained when the renewed card is issued. You do not normally need to submit a separate balance-transfer request for a standard Personal card renewal.

Expired anonymous or registered Silver and Gold cards require a different process. You can request either:

A free transfer to another Personal or registered nol card
A cash refund, subject to the refund fee and eligibility conditions

The destination card cannot remain anonymous if you want the balance transferred. Register a newly purchased Silver or Gold card first, or transfer the balance to an existing Personal card.

How to Transfer or Refund an Expired NOL Card Balance

A balance refund request for an expired card should be submitted within one year of the card’s expiry date. The refund is limited to the remaining balance available on the card.

Option 1: Transfer the Balance to Another NOL Card

Log in through the RTA service or nol Pay.
Select the nol card balance refund service.
Enter or scan the expired card’s Tag ID.
Choose expiry as the reason.
Select Transfer to nol Card.
Add or scan the destination Personal or registered card.
Confirm and submit the request.
Wait for the approval SMS.
Tap the destination card on an online device to activate the transferred amount.

The request is generally processed within four working days. Balance transfer is free.

After approval, the transferred amount must be activated within 180 days. Tap the destination card through nol Pay, at a Metro gate, parking machine or another supported online device after the activation period begins.

Option 2: Request a Cash Refund

Choose the cash collection option when submitting the refund request. Once approved, the SMS will provide collection instructions and identify the Metro stations where the money can be collected.

Cash refunds are subject to a fee of 2.5% or AED 5, whichever is higher. Cash collection is generally available only when the refundable amount is below AED 100.

The approved cash refund must be collected within 30 days. Otherwise, the refund request may be cancelled.

How Long Does NOL Card Renewal Take?

A standard Personal nol card renewal normally takes up to four working days after successful payment or approval.

Applications requiring manual document verification may need:

Up to two working days for document review
Additional time for payment completion
Up to four working days for card issuance and delivery

Emirates Post contacts the applicant using the mobile number entered in the application. If the courier cannot reach the applicant after three attempts, the card may be returned.

A returned or uncollected Personal card can be blocked without refund if it is not claimed within 30 days.

Common NOL Card Renewal Problems and Solutions

The Renewal Option Does Not Appear

The card may be an anonymous Silver or Gold card rather than a Personal card. Anonymous cards cannot use the Personal nol card renewal service.

Check the card type and choose the purchase or replacement option instead.

The App Cannot Read the Card

Make sure NFC is enabled and remove any thick phone case. Hold the card steadily against the phone’s NFC area for several seconds.

You can also select a card already linked to your RTA account or complete the renewal through the website.

The Documents Were Rejected

Check that each file is:

In PDF format
Under 2 MB
Clear and complete
Valid for the current year
In Arabic or English

Students should avoid submitting expired enrolment letters or documents that do not clearly show the institution’s name and academic year.

The Payment Link Has Not Arrived

Applications with manually uploaded documents may require up to two working days for verification. Check the mobile number and email address registered in your application, including the spam or junk folder.

Do not submit several duplicate applications unless the original request has been rejected or cancelled.

The New Card Has Not Been Delivered

Track the status using the reference number received by SMS or email. Confirm that the phone number and delivery address are correct.

Respond to courier calls promptly because an undelivered card may be returned after repeated unsuccessful contact attempts.

The Metro Gate Says “Card Expired” Despite Having Balance

A positive balance does not extend the physical card’s validity. A card can contain money and still require renewal or replacement.

Check the card type first. Renew a Personal card or purchase a replacement if the expired card is anonymous.

NOL Card Renewal Checklist

Before submitting the application, confirm that you have:

Identified whether the card is Personal or anonymous
Checked the physical card expiry and concession expiry
Logged in using the correct UAE Pass or RTA account
Entered an active UAE mobile number
Prepared current supporting documents
Confirmed the correct card category and travel class
Provided a complete delivery address
Kept the old card until the balance appears on the renewed or replacement card
Saved the application reference number and approval messages

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew an anonymous Silver or Gold nol card?

No. The official nol card renewal service is limited to Personal nol cards. When an anonymous Silver or Gold card reaches its five-year expiry, buy a new card and request a refund or balance transfer for the old card. Transfers can only go to a Personal or registered card.

How much does nol card renewal cost in Dubai?

Standard Personal Silver nol card renewal costs AED 70, including AED 50 as the application fee and AED 20 starting balance. Personal Gold costs AED 80, while special designs and ISIC options cost more. People of Determination cards are renewed free, and physical card delivery is free.

How long does nol card renewal take?

Nol card renewal normally takes up to four working days after successful payment or approval. Applications requiring manually uploaded documents may first need up to two working days for verification. You receive status updates by SMS and email, while Emirates Post contacts you to arrange physical card delivery.

Do student nol cards need renewal every year?

The physical Student Personal nol card is valid for five years, but the student concession must be renewed every year. For nol card renewal of the concession, eligible students may need a current enrolment letter if their records are not retrieved automatically. An expired concession may result in standard fares.

What happens to my balance after nol card renewal?

For a renewed Personal card, the remaining e-purse balance and eligible card features are carried over to the renewed card. If an anonymous Silver or Gold card expires, nol card renewal is not available. You must request a balance refund or free transfer to a Personal or registered alternative card.

Can I recover money from an expired nol card?

Yes. You may submit a refund request within one year of the card’s expiry. Instead of nol card renewal, choose either a cash refund or a balance transfer. Transfers are free, while cash refunds are subject to 2.5% or AED 5, whichever is higher, and other eligibility conditions.

Is renewing a Travel Pass the same as nol card renewal?

No. Nol card renewal extends or replaces an expiring Personal card, usually valid for five years. Travel Pass renewal only renews a time-based fare product, such as a 7, 30, 90 or 365-day pass. Adding money to the e-purse is also a separate top-up transaction.