UAE Guide: What is the Provision of VAT refund for Business visitors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

VAT in UAE November 15, 2019

Provision of VAT refund for Business visitors in UAE

Dubai has witnessed the successful implementation of VAT in Dubai, UAE. It is new to both the government as well as citizens and its implementation has undergone several amendments. VAT refund is one of the important factors in Dubai VAT Law. Since 18^th November 2018, FTA has issued several clarifications for claiming VAT Refunds for Business visitors to the Dubai.

The business visitors can claim VAT refund in Dubai, UAE on some services but not all countries are eligible for claiming VAT refund. Tourists are eligible for claiming 85% of the VAT incurred, the remaining 15% being the administration charges. They can claim back their VAT refund within 90 days of such purchases or payments made.

Procedure in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, UAE
The refund procedure has to be initiated electronically. Tourists can then claim their tax refunds at the point of exit. Tourists will receive their refunds through a special device placed at the departure airport, port, or border by submitting the tax invoices of their purchases from the outlets registered in the Scheme, along with copies of their passport and credit card. Once these documents are submitted, tourists can either recover the VAT in cash or have it transferred to their credit card.

Eligibility for claiming such VAT refunds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, UAE:
(1) Tourists must be of 18 years old or more.
(2) Has to leave the Dubai within three months of purchase along with the goods they have bought.
(3) Goods must be purchased from companies that have signed up to the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists’
(4) Goods are not excluded from the Refund Scheme of the FTA.

Refunds cannot be claim under following situations:
(1) Goods that have been fully, or partly, consumed in the Dubai cannot be refunded.
(2) Crew members on flights or planes that are leaving the country are not eligible for VAT refunds.

The list of Countries allowed and not allowed for claiming VAT refunds from GCC/UAE are tabulated below:

VAT refundable- Eligible	VAT Refundable- Not Eligible
Austria Belgium Bosnia & Herzegovina Canada Denmark Finland France Iceland Ireland Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Netherlands Montenegro Norway Sweden Switzerland UK	Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Germany Greece Hungary Italy Latvia Lithuania Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain

This will boost the economy, as tourist will buy from such retails stores that have been registered under this scheme. It will be benefit for both the supplier and consumer, as the consumer will also be able to claim VAT refunds on their purchases.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Insights Section or Contact Us.

1. Top FTA VAT Return Filing Services in Dubai Abu Dhabi UAE

2. List of VAT Consultants in Dubai, UAE

3. When will UAE implement Corporate Tax?

4. UAE Guide: VAT Return Filing Services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE

5. UAE Guide: VAT Fines Services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE

6. UAE Guide: How to Appeal Vat Penalties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and UAE?

7. UAE Guide: VAT Consultant in Abu Dhabi

8. UAE Guide: Top VAT Consultant in Dubai (2023)

9. UAE Guide: Role, Responsibilities, Eligibility and Skills of VAT Consultant

10. UAE Guide: Which Documents are Required to Register for VAT Return?

11. UAE Guide: VAT Registration