Your student ID card is one of the most useful documents you carry on campus. It opens library doors, lets you borrow books, gets you into exams, and often works as your discount card for transport and software. So losing it feels stressful — but it is one of the easiest university documents to get back. Here is exactly how to replace a lost student ID in the UAE, what documents you need, what it usually costs, and how to protect the card while you wait for the new one.
The short version: report the loss to your university’s student services or registrar office, submit an ID replacement request (most universities now do this through an online student portal), pay the replacement fee, and collect the new card within a few working days. Many universities in the UAE issue the replacement within 3 to 5 working days. During the wait, ask for a temporary pass or a digital student verification letter so you are not blocked from campus facilities.
Quick Answer
To replace a lost student ID, log into your university’s student portal (or visit the student services office), report the card as lost, fill in the replacement request form with your student number and Emirates ID details, pay the replacement fee — usually between AED 50 and AED 150 depending on the university — and collect your new card from the designated office within 3 to 5 working days. If your card had a transport chip or library access, ask the office to deactivate the old card so nobody else can use it.
What Your Lost Student ID Can Still Do (and Why Deactivating Matters)
A modern UAE university ID card is often more than a plastic card with your photo. It can be linked to library borrowing, exam hall entry, building access, printing credits, and sometimes a Nol card or campus payment wallet. If the card is picked up by someone else, they could potentially use these services in your name. That is why step one — before anything else — is to report the loss to your university so the old card can be deactivated.
Most university student portals have a “lost card” button under the services or ID section. Once you report it, the old card stops working on building access systems and library scanners almost immediately. If your card doubled as a transport card, you may need to contact the transport authority separately to move the balance, since universities and transport operators usually run separate systems. The principle is the same as with any official document in the UAE — block the old one first, then get a new one, which is also how the Emirates ID renewal and replacement process works.
How to Replace a Lost Student ID: Step by Step
Step 1: Report the loss through the student portal
Log into your university’s student portal and look for a section labelled Student ID, Card Services, or Request Services. Select the option to report a lost card. The system will normally ask you to confirm that the card is genuinely lost (not just misplaced at home) and may ask whether you want the old card blocked. Confirm the block — you can always unblock it if the card turns up, though most universities will not reactivate a reported-lost card for security reasons.
If your university does not have an online option, go to the student services or registrar office in person with your Emirates ID or passport and ask for the lost ID report form. Students applying for their very first card follow a slightly different process, which is covered in our guide on how to apply for a student ID.
Step 2: Fill in the replacement request form
The replacement form usually asks for:
- Your full name (as registered with the university)
- Your student ID number
- Your Emirates ID number or passport number
- Your programme and year of study
- A mobile number and email for collection updates
Double-check the spelling of your name and the student number before submitting. A typo here means the card gets printed with the wrong details, which adds days to the process — the same kind of small error that causes many common academic document problems.
Step 3: Submit a new photograph if required
Some universities reuse the photo they already have on file, while others ask for a fresh passport-size photograph or a digital upload that meets their photo guidelines (plain background, no sunglasses, face clearly visible). Check the requirements before you visit — being sent away for the wrong photo is one of the most avoidable delays.
Step 4: Pay the replacement fee
Almost every UAE university charges a replacement fee for a lost card. Based on published university fee schedules, the fee typically falls between AED 50 and AED 150, though some institutions charge more for express or same-day replacement. You can usually pay through the student portal, at the finance counter, or through a payment kiosk on campus. Keep the payment receipt — you will need the receipt number when collecting the card.
Step 5: Collect your new card
Processing usually takes 3 to 5 working days for a standard replacement. When the card is ready, you will get an SMS or email, or you will see the status change on the portal. Bring your Emirates ID or passport and your payment receipt when you go to collect it. The office will normally ask you to sign a collection log confirming you received the card.
What to Do While You Wait for the Replacement
Being without your card for a few days is inconvenient but manageable. Ask student services for:
- A temporary access pass: most universities issue a short-term pass that lets you enter the library and buildings while the new card is printed.
- A digital enrollment letter or student status certificate: this works as proof that you are a registered student for transport discounts, software licences, or any third party that needs verification — and if you ever need it for use outside the UAE, it may require document attestation. See our guide on how to request a student status certificate for the details.
- Exam entry arrangements: if an exam falls during the waiting period, contact the exams office in advance. They will usually let you sit the exam with your Emirates ID or passport, but you need to inform them before exam day.
Replacing a Student ID at UAE Public Universities
At federal universities such as UAE University, Zayed University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology, the process is generally centralised: report the loss on the student portal, pay the fee through the finance section, and collect the card from student services. Because these are large institutions, collection points may be campus-specific, so check whether your card will be issued at your home campus or a central office.
At private universities and colleges in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, the process is similar but the offices may have different names — look for “Student Affairs,” “Registrar,” or “Admissions and Registration.” Some private universities also allow you to track the card’s printing status on the portal, similar to how you might check academic record details online.
Costs and Timelines at a Glance
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard replacement fee | AED 50 – AED 150 |
| Express / same-day replacement | Higher fee, offered by some universities |
| Standard processing time | 3 – 5 working days |
| Temporary pass issuance | Same day, usually free |
These figures are typical ranges, not official national fees — each university sets its own charges. Always check your university’s published fee schedule or student handbook before paying.
If Your Lost Card Is Found After You Reported It
This happens more often than you would think. If you find the old card after reporting it lost, do not simply start using it again — a reported-lost card is usually deactivated in the university’s systems, so it will not open doors or register at the library even if it looks fine. Return it to student services when you collect your new card so it can be disposed of securely. If the replacement request had not yet been processed, some offices will cancel it and refund the fee, but this is at the university’s discretion.
What If You Lost Your ID Before Enrolling or After Graduating?
If you lost the card before your enrolment was finalised, contact admissions — they may hold the card or may not have printed it yet. If you graduated and then lost your alumni card (where the university issues one), alumni relations is the right office. For proof of graduation itself, alumni usually need a graduation certificate rather than a student ID, since student IDs expire when enrolment ends.
How to Keep Your Student ID Safe
- Keep the card in a dedicated slot in your wallet or a lanyard — the two most common loss stories are “left it on a library desk” and “fell out of a pocket.”
- Take a photo of both sides of the card and store it securely. The student number on it speeds up any replacement request.
- Use a digital copy for discount sign-ups where accepted, and keep the physical card for access systems that need the chip.
- If your card includes a transport chip, register it with the transport operator’s account so the balance is protected if the card is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to replace a lost student ID in the UAE?
Most universities process a standard replacement within 3 to 5 working days. Some offer an express or same-day service for a higher fee. Ask student services for a temporary access pass to cover the waiting period.
How much does a replacement student ID cost?
Replacement fees typically range from AED 50 to AED 150 at UAE universities, though each institution sets its own charges. Express replacement costs more where available. Check your university’s fee schedule for the exact amount.
Do I need a police report to replace a lost student ID?
No — a police report is not normally required for a lost student ID in the UAE. Universities handle it as an internal administrative request. A police report is only relevant if the loss involved theft of other valuables, in which case you report the theft separately.
Can someone else misuse my lost student ID?
Possibly, which is why you should report the loss immediately so the card is deactivated. Once blocked, it will not work on building access, library systems, or exam check-in. If it carried a transport or payment balance, check with the relevant operator about protecting the balance.
Can I get a replacement if I am on a study break or suspended?
This depends on the university. If your enrolment is still active (for example, an approved leave of absence), most offices will still issue a replacement. If your enrolment has been withdrawn, you may need to be re-enrolled first. Check with the registrar.
Does the replacement card have a new card number?
Your student ID number (the number that identifies you in the university’s records) stays the same — only the physical card is new. Any chip serial numbers or access credentials linked to the old card are replaced.
The Bottom Line
Replacing a lost student ID in the UAE is a straightforward administrative task: report the loss and get the old card deactivated, submit the replacement request on the student portal, pay the fee (typically AED 50–150), and collect the new card within about a week. The one step you should never skip is the deactivation — it protects your library account, building access, and any linked balances. Keep a photo of your new card somewhere safe, and the whole process will be even smoother if it ever happens again.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.