Before you renew, please check that your card is registered in your name. When you register Nol card (usually a Blue/Personal Nol) you: 

• Protect balance if the card is lost
• Can move balance and passes to a new card
• Can apply concessions for students and senior citizens
• Get full access to online Nol services

RTA lets you  personalise and register for Silver and Gold Nol Cards as well, so they link to your ID. Most renewals work best with the Blue Personal card, which has concession categories for students and seniors. 

Before doing any renewing for your card, check your balance as well. RTA Nol card check balance online can be done via.

• RTA Website ‘Check Nol Balance’
• NolPay App
• RTA Dubai App

Steps to check Nol card balance

• Go to the official RTA website.
• Open the Nol section and select “Check Nol Balance”.
• Enter your Nol tag number.
• Press search.
• See current balance, pending credit, and card expiry.

On NolPay, you can open the app and select your card to view your balance and recent trips or use NFC to do the same.

This will show you if you need:

• A new travel pass
• Easy RTA Nol card top-up
• Full RTA personal Nol card renewal

Nol Pay is the primary device for pass renewal on your phone. The app lets you add passes and top up on your Nol card any time and from any location and manage your card details through your mobile phone.

To renew an RTA Nol Card monthly pass (or weekly pass) in NolPay the sequence goes something like this:

• Download and open Nol Pay.
• Log in (usually through a UAE Pass).
• Add your Nol card if needed (NFC or card number).
• Select ‘Renew travel pass’, or something like that from services.
• Choose the type of pass: 7-day, 30-day, or others.
• Choose the zone: 1, 2, or all.
• Pay using your bank card.

If you use Virtual Nol card in the app, the RTA Nol Card Monthly Pass will usually activate instantly. The app may prompt you to tap your card again in case of a plastic card,  after you have added a new pass in order to write the pass via NFC.

If you’re planning to move around Dubai by metro, make sure you keep the Dubai Metro Map handy for a hassle-free journey.

If you wish to use a browser instead, you may also renew your passes via the RTA website.
The expected format for renewal of  travel pass online is:

• Go to the RTA website.
• Select Nol Services, then choose ‘Renew Travel Pass’.
• Type in your Nol card number.
• Select your zone (1, 2, or all zones).
• Select how long you want the pass to be valid for, e.g. 7 or 30 days.
• Complete your payment online.

For a plastic card, the pass may be in a “pending” status. To activate the card, tap your card at a Metro gate, at a validator, or at a ticket machine once. After, use the RTA Nol card check balance online again to confirm.

To avoid any travel interruptions, always Check NOL Card Balance History and confirm you have enough credit on your NOL card.

The Blue Personal card is the main type of card which users can obtain for added discounts or benefits. It holds your name and photo and gives 50% off to students, UAE national senior citizens and other concession groups under the blue card. For RTA Personal Nol card renewal Nol Pay or the website can be the solution.

If so, open the expired Nol card in your account. See if it still offers the ability to “Renew.” If so, keep following the previous steps to continue the renewal process after paying the applicable fees.

If you are unable to view an option for online renewal on your account, you will possibly require ‘Submitting a New Personal Card Request’. After that, you will need to have a balance transfer and a pass transfer processed by RTA.                                                                                  

It is essential to keep any emails containing confirmations, and any screenshots you made until you are able to validate that your balance is correct in your account. 

If you’re new to Dubai and planning to travel by metro, you’ll definitely need to check the Dubai Metro Timings Today.

Both the services are simple to use, but they work differently.  Use RTA Nol Card Top-Up when:

• You use the transport service only a few times a week.  
• You frequently have changes to your plans or take alternative routes.

You can use the service to complete an RTA Nol Card Top-Up through a Nol Pay account,  RTA website, or you can use a ticket vending machine or consult an agent directly to complete an RTA NolCard Top-Up.  

Use RTA Nol Card Monthly Pass when:

• You use the transport service most days of the week.  
• You cross between zones frequently.   
• You prefer to have a flat, predictable fee each month.  

You can mix both.  For instance, you could retain a monthly pass for your primary work trips, while keeping a lower RTA monthly pass on the account to support any additional trips.

If you want to understand which NOL card works best for metro, bus, or tram travel, check out the Types of Nol Cards guide.

A Student Nol Card is generally classified as a Blue Personal Card with Student Status. It is now associated with the Student Nol Package and ISIC ID. 

Key Points:

• A student (aged approximately 6 – 23 or 5 – 23 based on the source) receives a 50% discount on public transpoRTAtion.    
• The New Student Package adds ISIC benefits including shopping and travel discounts

For renewal via Nol Pay on the website:

• Make sure your student profile is still valid.    
• If applicable, renew your student status by submitting proof (Enrolment letter, Emirates ID, photo e.t.c).    
• You can now proceed with the standard RTA Personal Nol card renewal procedures.    
• You can renew your RTA Nol card monthly/weekly passes through Nol Pay or the website.

Always confirm that the app still indicates your Student Nol Card concession before purchasing a new pass.  

The RTA Nol Card for Senior Citizen is also categorized as the Blue Personal. RTA mentions that Nol Blue Card offers 50% concession on public transport to seniors, UAE nationals, and students, if the correct concession profile is activated.

Standard Procedure:

• Apply or renew as a Personal Blue card under the “Senior Citizen” category
• Submit Emirates ID and age documentation (usually 60+)
• Once approved, you can manage your passes and balance by using Nol Pay or RTA website
• Renew your passes as everyone else does, just at concession prices

You may access the same RTA Nol card top up and RTA Nol card monthly pass options as other customers, just with the senior discount.

To complete everything in one go, just follow the simple flow below:

• Register Nol card (if it is still anonymous).
• To check balance, existing passes, and expiry, use RTA Nol card check balance online.
• For passes: Renew your RTA Nol card monthly pass or any other travel pass from NolPay or relevant RTA website.
• For cards: If it is near to expiry, you must initiate RTA personal Nol card renewal.
• If it has been out of expiry for an extended period, follow the steps in how to renew expired Nol card online.
• For student or senior citizen:  remember to activate your student Nol card or RTA Nol card for senior citizens profile before proceeding with the payment.

You can keep your Nol card ready without standing at a kiosk. Our main recommendation is to Renew Nol Card & Travel Passes via the Nol Pay App & the RTA Website:

• On a one-time basis, register the card to link it to your account.
• Check your balance using the RTA Nol card balance checker online.
• Renew your travel passes as a monthly or short-term RTA Nol card.
• When the card is about to expire, manage your Nol Card Renewal and how to Renew Your Expired Nol Card Online.
• Keep your Nol card for students or for the profile of RTA senior citizens to keep your discounts.

You only need to do it one time carefully. After that, maintaining the balance and validity of your cards and passes becomes a habit rather than a hurdle.