Avoid School Deposit Losses: Discover UAE Rules Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah
Thousands of expatriate parents in the UAE, including Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino families, are facing re-registration deposit deadlines for their children’s schooling. However, refund policies for these deposits vary significantly by emirate, as highlighted in data shared by the education directory Talem on September 17–18, 2026.
- Dubai offers refund protection with a 60-day written notice.
- Abu Dhabi and Sharjah lack standardized refund policies.
- Failing to follow rules can result in losses of AED 2,000 to AED 8,000 per child.
Dubai School Deposit Rules
In Dubai, regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the re-registration deposit is capped at 5% of annual tuition or AED 500, whichever is higher. This amount must be deducted from the following year’s tuition rather than being an extra fee.
For schools starting in September, deposits cannot be collected before the end of spring break, and the deadline cannot be earlier than May 1. For April-start schools, the deadline cannot be before February 1. Crucially, parents who provide written notice at least 60 calendar days before the new academic year begins are entitled to a refund. If notice is provided within the 60-day window, the school may retain the funds.
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Deposit Rules
In Abu Dhabi, regulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the deposit is typically capped at 5% of fees and can be collected up to four months before the academic year starts. Unlike Dubai, there is no standardized 60-day written-notice refund requirement, and schools may keep the deposit if a child does not return.
In Sharjah, under the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), the deposit is 5% of tuition, capped at AED 1,000 in many instances, such as GEMS group policies which specify 5% or AED 1,000, whichever is lower. These deposits can be collected within four months of the school year, with no automatic refund policy if a child fails to enroll. In Ras Al Khaimah, the deposit is 5% or AED 500, whichever is higher, with a refund eligibility window requiring written notice two weeks before the new year.
Important Advice for Parents
This discrepancy is critical for families navigating potential relocation or departure from the UAE, as failing to adhere to these rules can result in losses between AED 2,000 and AED 8,000 per child. Furthermore, deposits paid under one regulator's jurisdiction are not transferable to another, complicating cross-emirate moves. While the KHDA has implemented a tuition freeze for Dubai private schools for the 2026–27 period, similar protections do not necessarily apply in other emirates.
Parents are advised to secure written confirmation from schools regarding deposit amounts, deduction dates from term one fees, and specific deadlines for withdrawal refunds. Experts emphasize distinguishing between application fees—which are non-deductible and capped at AED 500 in Dubai—and registration or re-registration deposits. Verbal agreements are not considered binding, and parents are encouraged to retain all digital communication regarding these financial obligations.