A job offer in Dubai usually arrives with a school deposit attached. You pay to hold a place months before you land, and if the offer changes or the role ends early, the first question is whether that money comes back.
The answer is mostly yes, provided you follow the KHDA rules on timing and put everything in writing. Here is what applies to each payment, and what to do if you are leaving the country mid-year.
The three up-front payments and their caps
| Fee | Cap | Refundable when |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 500 | Your child is not offered a place, or the school did not tell you beforehand that no space was available |
| Registration deposit (new pupils) | 10% of annual tuition | The school receives your written withdrawal at least 60 calendar days before the start date |
| Re-registration deposit (continuing pupils) | 5% of tuition or AED 500, whichever is lower | The school receives your written withdrawal at least 60 calendar days before the next academic year |
The application fee stays with the school if a place is offered and you turn it down. The registration deposit can only be collected once you have formally accepted an offer, and both deposits must be deducted from tuition, never charged on top.
Re-registration timing is fixed too: September-start schools cannot collect the deposit before 1 May, and April-start schools not before 1 February. Miss the school's deadline and the place is not guaranteed, but the school cannot come back for the deposit later either.
Still choosing? The Dubai schools guide for expat parents covers curricula, waitlists and budget.
The 60-day rule and the fee-increase window
Two dates decide whether a deposit comes back in full.
Sixty calendar days' written notice. The school must receive your written withdrawal at least 60 calendar days before the start date, or before the next academic year for continuing pupils. Count back from the first day of term and send your notice before that point.
Ten days after a fee increase. If an approved fee increase is announced after you have paid, you have 10 calendar days from the announcement to withdraw for a full refund. Tuition is frozen for 2026-27, so this is unlikely to arise this year; the 2026-27 school rules guide has the detail.
In every case the refund runs from the date the school receives your formal written request. Requests cannot be backdated, and keeping your child at home does not stop the fees.
Mid-year withdrawal charges
Leaving during the year is where families lose the most, because the charge depends on how long your child attended in the current term.
| Attendance in the term | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Two weeks or less | One month's fees |
| More than two weeks, up to one month | Two months' fees |
| More than one month | The full term's fees, no refund |
The clock runs from the first day of term to the date your written withdrawal reaches the school. If a job ends, send that notice the same week, even if your child stays in class a little longer. Waiting until the last day of attendance can push you into the next band.
What happens if a school closes
If a school is closed or suspended by the authorities, parents are compensated for the period the service was unavailable: a credit note valid for six months, a credit transferred to a sibling at the same school, or a full refund. If teaching continues through approved distance learning, fees remain payable.
Mandatory service fees paid before the year begins are refundable, and book fees only if your child leaves before the year starts. Transport, activities and trips follow the written terms of each service agreement, so read those before you sign.
Leaving the UAE mid-year: a short checklist
Redundancy or a contract ending rarely lines up with the school calendar. Do these in order.
- Send written notice the day you decide. The date the school receives your formal request is the only date that counts. An email to the registrar is enough; a phone call is not.
- Ask for the refund calculation in writing. A breakdown showing the attendance band applied and the deposit being returned.
- Keep every receipt. Application fee, deposits, term fees, transport and books. You will need them if the numbers do not match.
- Request the transfer certificate at the same time. It is far easier to obtain while you are still in the country.
- Line the dates up with your visa. The visa cancellation grace period sets how long the family can stay once employment ends, and the termination compensation guide covers what you are owed on the way out.
Key takeaway
Your written withdrawal date decides everything: 60 calendar days before term for a full deposit refund, and the attendance band for mid-year charges. The caps are AED 500 for applications, 10% of tuition for registration and 5% or AED 500 for re-registration, and none is lost if you give notice in time.
FAQ
Is a school registration deposit refundable in Dubai?
Yes, if the school receives your written withdrawal at least 60 calendar days before the start date. Miss that window and the school can keep the deposit, capped at 10% of annual tuition.
How much notice do I need to withdraw from a school in Dubai?
Sixty calendar days' written notice before the start date, for both new registrations and re-registrations. The notice must be in writing and cannot be backdated.
What is the KHDA refund policy for mid-year withdrawal?
The charge depends on attendance in the current term: two weeks or less costs one month's fees, up to one month costs two months' fees, and more than one month means the full term's fees are retained.
Can I get a refund if my school announces a fee increase?
If an approved increase is announced after you have paid, you have 10 calendar days to withdraw for a full refund of the affected deposits and fees.
What happens to my fees if a Dubai school closes?
You are compensated for the period the school could not provide the service, through a six-month credit note, a sibling transfer or a full refund. Fees still apply if teaching continues by approved distance learning.
