With Dubai schools set to reopen on August 31, parents are wrapping up last-minute preparations for the new academic year. Beyond the usual uniforms and school supplies, getting a handle on the school fee rules can save families from some unwelcome surprises down the line.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has clear rules covering private school fees across Dubai, including caps on application fees, registration deposits, re-registration payments, and when parents are entitled to refunds.
Knowing these rules matters even more when a child is switching schools, or when parents are putting down deposits to hold a spot. The timing of payments and withdrawal notices can genuinely change how much money a family gets back.
Dubai School fees capped at Dh500 for Application
Dubai private schools can charge a maximum application fee of Dh500 when parents apply for a place. That said, the school does not always get to keep this fee, and there are situations where it needs to be refunded.
Parents are entitled to a refund if their child is not offered a place after the school’s assessment. A refund is also required if the school did not tell parents, before they paid, that there was no available place or that the child would be placed on a waiting list.
That said, parents cannot claim a refund simply because they change their mind and decide not to accept a place after getting an offer. And a non-refundable application fee also cannot be deducted from the child’s tuition fees later on.
Registration deposit can be up to 10 percent as per KHDA Rules
Schools can ask parents for a registration deposit of up to 10 percent of the annual tuition fee. Importantly, this is not meant to be an extra cost layered on top of the school fees.
Once the child actually starts school, this registration deposit needs to be deducted from the tuition fees. It is worth keeping a record of what you paid and double-checking that it shows up correctly in the final fee calculation.
Schools can only ask for this deposit after a formal offer has been made and accepted, and it can also be refundable if parents give the required notice under KHDA’s 60-day rule.
Re-registration deposit has a lower limit
For students already enrolled at a school, a re-registration deposit can be collected to lock in a place for the following academic year. This one is capped at 5 per cent of tuition fees or Dh500, whichever is lower.
This payment needs to be deducted from the child’s tuition fees for the next academic year, and it is specifically the payment schools use to secure an existing student’s spot going forward.
There are also rules around when schools can actually collect this re-registration deposit. For schools starting their academic year in September, the payment can only be collected after the spring break, and not before May 1.
For schools following an April start, the re-registration deposit cannot be collected before February 1. If parents miss paying within that window, the child’s place might not be guaranteed.
Schools cannot collect missed re-registration deposits later
KHDA’s rules also protect parents in cases where a school forgets or fails to request a re-registration deposit during the permitted window. If the school does not ask for the payment within that specified timeframe, it cannot just turn around and demand it later.
This is a good reminder that deadlines cut both ways, applying to schools just as much as families. It is worth holding onto copies of any school communication related to re-registration and fee payments.
That said, if a parent misses the deadline on their end, the school might not be required to hold the child’s place for the next academic year. Families planning to stay at the same school should keep a close eye on official notices.
The 60-day notice rule for school fee refunds
One of the most important deadlines for Dubai parents to know is the 60-day notice rule. Written notice generally needs to go in at least 60 calendar days before the child’s start date in order to get the registration deposit back in full.
The same principle applies to re-registration deposits, where parents need to give notice at least 60 days before the next academic year begins. It is worth making withdrawal requests formally in writing rather than just relying on a phone call or conversation.
What matters here is the date the school actually receives the formal withdrawal request, so hang onto proof of submission, especially if a refund or deposit is on the line.
Parents get 10 days after an approved fee increase
Another useful protection kicks in when a school announces a KHDA-approved fee increase after parents have already paid. In that case, parents have 10 calendar days to withdraw their child and still qualify for a full refund of applicable deposits or fees.
That short window means families need to move quickly once they hear about an approved increase. Wait past those 10 days, and it could cost you your eligibility for that refund.
Make sure any withdrawal request goes in formally and within that specified period, and keep hold of emails, letters, and payment records in case there is ever a dispute.
How Dubai school fee refunds are calculated
Refunds get calculated based on the date the school receives the formal written withdrawal request, not the child’s last day of actually attending. Withdrawal requests also cannot be backdated under this policy.
Simply keeping a child home from school does not end their enrolment on its own. Fees can keep applying as long as the child stays officially enrolled.
If the academic year has already started, how much the school can keep depends on how long the child has attended. That is exactly why the timing of a withdrawal request matters so much.
Refund rules based on attendance period
If a child attends school for two weeks or less, the school can charge one month’s fees, which means parents might not get back the full amount they paid even if the child leaves shortly after starting.
For attendance of more than two weeks but up to one month, the school can retain two months’ fees. This calculation ties to the applicable withdrawal rules, not just a simple day count of physical attendance.
If the child has attended for more than one month, no refund is due, and the full term’s fees apply. Anyone considering a school transfer should check the financial impact carefully before formally enrolling and then withdrawing.
What happens when a child leaves before school starts?
When a child withdraws before the academic year begins, school fees are generally refundable. That said, the registration deposit may still be retained if the parent did not give the required 60 days’ notice.
This makes timing especially important for families who change plans over the summer. Check when the school actually received your written notice, rather than just going by the date you personally decided to leave.
Getting written confirmation from the school can also help you keep track of the official withdrawal date and whatever refund might be due.
What happens if a Dubai school closes?
KHDA’s rules also cover situations where a school cannot provide education because of a suspension or a government-mandated closure. In these cases, parents need to be compensated for the period the education service was unavailable.
That compensation can take a few different forms, including a credit note valid for six months, a credit that can be transferred to a sibling at the same school, or a full refund.
That said, parents cannot automatically expect a fee reduction just because they choose not to use a service that remains available. If education continues through KHDA-approved distance learning or another approved arrangement, school fees still apply.
Rules for books, transport and activities
School fees are not the only cost parents need to think about. KHDA’s rules also cover other services like books, school transport, activities, and trips.
Mandatory service fees paid before the academic year begins are refundable. This draws an important line between compulsory charges and services that parents choose to opt into separately.
Optional services, including school transport, activities, and trips, are governed by the terms agreed in writing at the time the service was booked, so it is worth reviewing the specific conditions before paying for any of these.
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Book fees have separate refund rules
Book fees also get treated a bit differently from other school-related charges. These are refundable if the child leaves before the school year begins.
Parents thinking about a school transfer should check whether book charges have already been paid, and whether the withdrawal happens before the academic year kicks off.
Holding onto receipts and written confirmation of payments makes it a lot easier to track what is refundable and what falls under separate school service terms.