Manage nol Card
Apply for a Personal nol card (blue card) or register your Silver or Gold card to access all nol services. You can replace or renew your card, top up the balance, add or renew a Travel Pass, or purchase a Red Ticket or an Anonymous nol card. The Personal nol card offers the same features as the Silver and Gold cards, with category-based concessions for Adults, Senior Emiratis and Residents, People of Determination, and Students.
Select the service you want
Output
Top up nol card
Ways to Apply
Website
- Website
- Mahboub Chatbot
- RTA Smart Apps
- Ticket Vending Machines
- Ticket Office Machines
- Micropayment Locations
Channels
Steps
- Log in using your UAE Pass.
- Click Manage nol Card .
- Select Top Up nol Card .
- Enter or select your nol tag ID and click Next .
- Enter or select the top-up amount.
- Pay the top-up amount by credit card.
- Wait 45 minutes to 4 hours.
- To activate the top-up balance, scan or tap your card using the nol Pay app, or use it at any metro gate or solar top-up machine.
Service Time
45 minutes to 4 hours
Channels
- Mahboub Chatbot on RTA Website
- Mahboub Chatbot on RTA Dubai App
- Mahboub Chatbot on RTA S’hail App
Steps
- Type "Top up nol card" in the chat box.
- Click Apply Now to proceed.
- Log in using one of the following methods:
- UAE Pass: Approve the request using your biometrics or PIN, and you’ll be logged in automatically with your verified details shared securely with RTA.
- RTA ID: Enter your User ID, then enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile in the chat for verification and login. Your saved details will auto-fill.
- Continue as a guest: Enter your full name, mobile number, and email address. You’ll receive an OTP through SMS to verify your number.
- Add the nol tag ID.
- Select the top-up amount or type it (minimum AED 5 and maximum AED 150).
- Click the payment link to pay the top-up amount securely.
- Once the payment is complete, you'll receive in the chat the transaction reference number and a link to download or view the receipt.
- To activate the balance, use the nol Pay app, or use your card at any metro gate, online parking machine, or solar machine.
Service Time
45 minutes to 4 hours
Channels
- RTA Dubai
- nol Pay ( Apple Store , Android , Huawei )
- S'hail ( Apple Store , Android , Huawei )
Steps
Through nol Pay app
For physical cards
- Log in using your UAE Pass or RTA Account.
- Select Top Up .
- Place your nol card on the NFC area of the mobile phone or select a card linked to your RTA account.
- Select the top-up amount.
- Pay the top-up amount using a credit or debit card.
- Place your card on the NFC reader at the back of the phone again to load the balance.
- Your balance is topped up instantly.
For virtual cards
- Log in using your UAE Pass or RTA Account.
- Select Top Up .
- Select the top-up amount.
- Pay the top-up amount using a credit or debit card.
- Your balance is topped up instantly.
Through RTA Dubai and S'hail apps
- Select Top Up nol Card .
- If you're logged in to your account, select your nol tag ID from the drop-down menu. If you're not logged in, scan your nol card using NFC or enter your nol tag ID.
- Enter your valid email address and mobile number (required on DSG payment page).
- Pay the top-up amount by credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay.
- To activate the balance:
- If NFC is used, the balance is activated instantly, once the second tap is performed after payment.
- If the tag ID is used, you must wait 45 minutes to 4 hours, then activate the balance through:
- The same app
- nol Pay app
- Metro gates
- Parking meters
- Solar top-up machines.
Service Time
On nol Pay, instantly. On RTA Dubai or S’hail, instantly when using NFC or 45 minutes to 4 hours when using the tag ID.
Channels
- Ticket Vending Machines available at all Metro stations
- Solar Top-Up machines located in selected bus stops
Steps
Through ticket vending machines
- Place your card on the card reader.
- Select Top Up .
- Enter the top-up amount.
- Pay the top-up amount.
- Keep the card on the card reader for 6 seconds.
- Your balance is topped up instantly.
Through solar top-up machines
- Place your card on the card reader.
- Select Top Up .
- Enter the top-up amount.
- Pay the top-up amount in cash.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
Steps
- Hand over your nol card to the station agent.
- Indicate the top-up amount to the station agent.
- Pay the top-up amount.
- Your balance is topped up instantly.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
Steps
- Hand over your nol card to the station agent.
- Indicate the top-up amount to the station agent.
- Pay the top-up amount.
- Your balance is topped up instantly.
Service Time
Instantly
Important to Know
You Should Know
- The maximum top-up amount through online channels is AED 150 for all types of nol cards (Anonymous, Registered and Personal cards).
- The maximum balance value is AED 1,000 for Anonymous nol cards and AED 5,000 for Registered and Personal nol cards.
- The monthly top-up can be scheduled automatically on nol Pay app, with a minimum of AED 20 and a maximum of AED 500 per day.
- You can top up your virtual nol card through nol Pay, only on compatible Samsung and Huawei phones and through the wallet of Huawei watch 3 and 3 Pro.
- You can top up your nol card through the smart applications of the banks listed below, with the top-up fee determined by the bank issuing the card:
- Top-up amounts on expired or blocked cards can't be activated.
- You must activate the pending amounts topped up through online channels, using activating channels within 180 days from the transaction date.
- You can activate the pending balance topped up using a different channel through nol Pay.
- You receive a reminder through SMS and email if the pending top-up amount isn’t activated.
- If you use the nol Pay or S’hail app to top up a nol card by scanning it and tapping it a second time, the balance will be activated immediately after the second tap.
- If you manually enter the nol Tag ID to top up a nol card, you must activate the balance after payment through the nol Pay or S’hail app (NFC), metro gates, parking meters, or bus solar top-up machines within 45 minutes to 4 hours.
- Top-up balance activation:
| Top-up channels | Activation required | Waiting time | Balance availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Instant | Immediately usable |
| No | Instant | Immediately usable (after second tap) |
| Yes | 45 minutes to 4 hours | After activation using nol Pay app or metro gate (parking meter and bus solar top-up machines) |
| Yes | 45 minutes to 4 hours | After payment and activation via NFC or metro gate (parking meter and bus solar top-up machines) |
| Yes | 45 minutes to 4 hours | After top-up transfer and activation via NFC or metro gate (parking meter and bus solar top-up machines) |
Eligible Categories
Citizens, residents, and visitors, with personal, registered, or anonymous nol card
Service Requirements
None
Fees
- Free
Terms and Conditions
- The nol card is intended for use only by its owner. Any misuse, such as allowing another person to use the card or using an expired or invalid card, is subject to penalties in accordance with RTA regulations.
- If the personal nol card becomes faulty during a trip, you may complete the journey without incurring any additional fees.
- Returned or uncollected cards will be blocked without refund if not claimed within 30 days.
- The nol card must have a minimum balance of AED 7.5 to use public transport.
- Unaccompanied minor policy:
- Below 8 years old: Not recommended to use public transport (metro, tram, buses, and marine transportation) unless accompanied by adults.
- Between 8 and 11 years old: The permit must be issued by one of the parents to allow the child to travel alone (with the exception of intercity buses).
- 12 years old and above: Allowed to use public transport without being accompanied by an adult.
- Children under the age of 5 don't need a nol card and can use Dubai Metro, Tram, and Bus for free.
FAQs
- Q: Can I activate my top-up using a bus validator?
- A: No, bus validators can't be used to activate pending top-ups made through channels which require activation. You must activate the balance before using the card on the bus.
- Q: How can I check my nol card balance?
- A: You can check the nol card balance through the nol Pay app or by clicking nol Card Balance on the RTA website homepage.
- Q: What's the minimum amount that I can charge through the different channels?
- A:
| Channels | Minimum Top-up Amount |
|---|---|
| nol Pay app, S’hail app, Mahboub Chatbot, RTA website, Solar top-up machines (bus/metro), authorised sales agents (Zoom - limited location), TVM and TOM (bus) | AED 5 |
| RTA Dubai | AED 30 |
| Dubai Now | AED 20 |
| TOM in Metro | AED 50 |
| TVM in Metro | AED 20 |
Updated on: 26-November-2025