The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has launched a new digital payment system for expatriate students in public schools who lack Emirates IDs or official documentation. The system enables online tuition fee payments through the Ministry’s official website using student ID numbers, replacing traditional bank deposits and transfers. The initiative supports the UAE’s broader push toward digital identity solutions, which has included the recent streamlining of Emirates ID renewal processes for citizens.
The payment process operates through the Ministry of Education’s portal, accessed via the “Important Links” section on www.moe.gov.ae. Parents or guardians select “Payment of Tuition Fees” and log in using UAE Pass with their registered mobile number. The UAE Pass, which recently expanded its reach when Lleida.net became its first private service provider, serves as the UAE’s national digital identity and signature solution. The system allows users to choose “Pay for Another Person,” input the student’s ID number, verify the tuition amount, and complete the transaction online.
Upon completion of payment, the system generates an electronic receipt immediately, displaying it on screen and sending it to the registered phone number. The Ministry has designated this portal as the exclusive authorized channel for tuition fee payments, discontinuing acceptance of bank deposits except through approved charitable organizations.
The initiative is part of the Ministry’s comprehensive digitization strategy, designed to enhance the efficiency and security of financial transactions for expatriate families without Emirates ID documentation. The changes complement recent security improvements across the UAE’s financial sector, including the Central Bank’s mandate to phase out SMS-based authentication by 2026. The Ministry has communicated these changes to government school administrations through an official circular.
The new system supports the UAE’s broader digital transformation objectives, working alongside other government initiatives such as the Digital Wallet by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. These efforts are part of a larger ecosystem of digital services that includes the Tamm digital platform, which serves as a comprehensive hub for government services in Abu Dhabi.
Sources: Gulf News, MOHRE, ProPakistani
