As private schools across the UAE initiate re-registration for the 2026-27 academic year, expatriate families are facing varying financial regulations depending on the emirate. These policies, overseen by local regulators like the KHDA in Dubai, ADEK in Abu Dhabi, and SPEA in Sharjah, create distinct outcomes for families seeking tuition refunds. Expat families face different rules across emirates as schools start re-registration for 2026-27.
- KHDA in Dubai caps deposits at 5 percent or AED 500, with a tuition freeze mandated by Sheikh Hamdan.
- ADEK in Abu Dhabi caps registration at 5 percent and allows collection four months prior.
- Sharjah schools cap fees at 5 percent or AED 1,000, while Ras Al Khaimah policies vary.
In Dubai, under the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), re-registration deposits are capped at 5% of annual tuition or AED 500, whichever is higher. New-student deposits reach up to 10%. These amounts must be deducted from tuition, not treated as extra fees. Schools starting in September cannot collect re-registration deposits before May 1. Parents are entitled to a full refund if written notice is provided at least 60 calendar days before the academic year begins. Additionally, an application fee is capped at AED 500, which cannot be applied toward tuition. Sheikh Hamdan has also mandated a tuition freeze for the 2026-27 period.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) caps registration fees at 5% of approved annual tuition. Schools may collect these up to four months before the academic year. For new students, a full refund is available if notice is given at least two weeks before the start of the year. However, for returning students who fail to return, the school is permitted to retain the deposit. Tuition refunds after the term begins follow a sliding scale, ranging from the retention of the 5% fee for withdrawals in the first week to the loss of a full term's fees after six weeks. While schools cannot block exams for unpaid fees, they may withhold certificates and transfer papers.
Policies in other emirates differ further. Sharjah schools typically cap fees at 5% or AED 1,000, and many retain the deposit if a student fails to return. In Ras Al Khaimah, policies vary, with some schools offering refunds with two weeks' notice, while others treat deposits as non-refundable. Families are advised to verify policies directly with schools and local authorities, as the financial impact of these rules—particularly for families with multiple children in schools charging AED 20,000–60,000—can be substantial.
