Tourists will be able to claim back 85 per cent their VAT on goods they have purchased in the UAE from Sunday, November 18.
The remaining 15 per cent will be charged in administration fees to Planet, the global operator of the refund system.
On Wednesday, UAE Federal Tax Authority director general Khalid Al Bustani said more than 4,500 companies have registered to the tourist tax refund scheme. He said the figure is expected to rise to 6,000 by the end of the year and could be as high as 10,000 by the end of next year.
“The FTA is keen to contribute to increasing tourism attractiveness, encouraging domestic trade and establishing the UAE as a central trading hub in the region,” Mr Al Bustani said.
Under the new scheme, tourists can claim a tax refund within 90 days of purchase. They can claim up to Dh10,000 in cash while there is no limit on credit card refunds.
“The Dh10,000 cash refund is high compared to what countries across the world offer,” said Mr Al Bustani.
To qualify for the refund, tourists must be at least 18 years old and must intend to leave the UAE within three months of purchase along with the goods they have bought.
VAT is introduced in the UAE this year as part of plans to diversify the country's economy away from oil.
Regulations stipulate that tourists will only be able to claim refunds on goods that have purchased from companies that have signed up to the scheme.
To be eligible for the scheme, companies must first undergo a credit assessment. The reason for this is because they will be the party required to refund the VAT to the UAE government.
Crew members on flights or planes that are leaving the country are not eligible for VAT refunds.
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Read more:
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Goods not included under the refund include motor vehicles, boats or aircraft. Similarly, any goods that have been fully, or partly, consumed in the UAE cannot be refunded.
Tourists can apply for a tax free purchase in participating stores. Once the shop logs their information, and they have provided a valid passport to prove they are not a resident, they will be issued a tax free tag on the back of their receipt and a digital form will be created.
Tourists can then claim their tax refund at the point of exit. At the moment the only valid points of exit are Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Airports.
However, this will be extended to include other ports and airports across the UAE next month.
There is a minimum spend of Dh250 for goods to be eligible for the scheme. There will also be a Dh4.50 charge for each tax free tag that is presented at the point of refund.
The 15 per cent of the transaction that is paid as commission to the tax refund agency, in this case Planet, is common practice in many countries with various agencies charging differing amounts.
Planet currently operates in 58 countries around the world.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
