This official document presents the administrative rules for the UAE Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme, reflecting progressive updates from Federal Tax Authority (FTA) Decision No. 2 of 2018 through to Decision No. 11 of 2026. It establishes validation procedures for retailers (for both physical and verified electronic purchases) and sets the minimum tax-inclusive spend at AED 250. Goods must be exported within 90 days of supply and explicitly exclude motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, and consumed items. The regulation sets an administrative fee of 13% of the VAT amount alongside a fixed fee of AED 3.6 per claim, while capping daily cash refunds at AED 35,000 per tourist.
This is not an Official Translation:
Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme
Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 2 of 2018 - Issued 6 Nov 2018 - (Effective 6 Nov 2018)
Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 9 of 2023 - Issued 19 July 2023 - (Effective 12 July 2023)
Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 2 of 2024 - Issued 19 Feb 2024 - (Effective 1 Mar 2024)
Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 11 of 2026 – Issued 1 July 2026 (Effective 12 July 2026)
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Tax Authority has decided:
Having reviewed the Constitution;
Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2016 on the Establishment of the Federal Tax Authority, [and its amendments,]
Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax, [and its amendments,]
Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017 on the Executive Regulation of the Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax, [and its amendments,]
Pursuant to the approval of the Board of Directors on the [memo presented on]Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme.
Article 1 - Date of the Scheme Coming into Effect
The date of the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme coming into effect shall be according to the following:
Retailers participating in the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme will initiate providing refund claims to tourists as of 18 November 2018.
The Overseas Tourist may reclaim VAT at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport, as of 18 November 2018.
The Overseas Tourist may reclaim VAT at other UAE International Airports, land ports and sea ports in which the Scheme is applied, as of 16 December 2018.
Article 2 - Purchase Procedures
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