Dubai VAT Refund Guide for Tourists: Eligibility & Process

As a tourist, you can actually claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) you pay on your purchases. It's a small but meaningful way for the UAE to thank its visitors. These refunds have made a noticeable difference, especially if you're shopping for gifts, luxury items, clothes, or electronics. 

It's straightforward: You get the extra tax you paid returned to you when you leave the country. You can do it at the airport itself. There are dedicated counters and self-service kiosks at major airports, making it easy to claim your refund before boarding your flight.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through:

• How the VAT refund system works for a tourist
• What does a tourist need to be eligible
• How can you claim your VAT refund smoothly
• Steps to recover VAT
• Tourist Refund Scheme

Who Qualifies for a VAT Refund in Dubai?

In Dubai (and the rest of the UAE), the following tourists can reclaim the VAT they’ve paid on goods they’re taking home:

• Is at least 18 years old
• They are a non-resident visitor
• Buys goods worth a minimum of AED 250 (including VAT) in a single transaction from a store that is a part of the “Tax Refund for Tourists” scheme
• Holds a valid travel document (passport)
• Takes the goods with them when they leave the UAE (within 90 days of purchase)
• Presents the original tax invoices with the official “tax‑free” tags, plus their passport and credit card, at a Planet Tax Free counter or kiosk at the airport, seaport or land border

You cannot claim a refund on anything consumed (even partially) in the UAE, or on goods you don’t actually export when you depart.

When you validate your purchases on exit, you’ll recover 85 per cent of the VAT paid (the remaining 15 per cent is a processing fee, including AED 4.80 per tag). You can get your refund in cash/UAE dirhams or have it credited back to your card.

If you’re just visiting Dubai and stocking up on souvenirs, electronics or designer gear, it’s the tourist scheme you’ll use.

Tourist Refund Scheme in the UAE

The Tourist Refund Scheme is a government-backed system that allows international visitors to claim back the 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) they pay on eligible purchases made during their stay in the UAE. The FTA launched it in late 2018 to make shopping more attractive for tourists and align with global practices.

The system is 100% digital and is operated exclusively by Planet Tax Free, which manages the end-to-end process on behalf of the FTA. Most major retailers and shopping outlets across the UAE are part of the scheme.

How to Claim VAT Refund in the UAE for Tourists: VAT Refund Process in Dubai

Follow the steps to get your refund:

1. When shopping, tourists can ask for a tax-free purchase if they spend at least AED 250 in one transaction.
2. The store will scan the tourist’s passport and issue a digital tax-free tag linked to the invoice.
3. These purchases must be validated at the point of departure, whether airports, land borders, or seaports, within 90 days of the purchase.
4. At the validation counter or self-service kiosk, tourists submit their receipts, passports, and credit cards and may be asked to show the goods.
5. Once verified, they can receive 85% of the VAT back, with AED 4.80 deducted per tax-free tag as a processing fee.
6. The refund can be collected in cash (AED) or refunded to a credit card.

What is the Eligibility for the Dubai VAT Refund?

To qualify for a VAT refund as a tourist in the UAE, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You should be a non resident tourist. 
2. You are at least 18 years old.
3. The store from which you are making the purchase, must be registered under the "Tax Refund for Tourists" scheme operated by Planet Tax Free. Most major retail outlets are part of this network.
4. Minimum spend per purchase is AED 250 (including VAT).
5. You must request a tax-free tag at the time of purchase
6. You must export the goods within 90 days of the transaction date.
7. Goods must not be consumed or used in the UAE at departure.
8. Before leaving the country (by air, land, or sea), you need to present:

• The original receipts with tax-free tags
• Your passport
• The actual goods
• A credit card (even if you choose to get the refund in cash)

Once validated, you can choose to receive your refund in cash (in AED) or credited back to your card. Keep in mind that you’ll receive 85% of the VAT paid, as AED 4.80 per tag is deducted as a processing fee.

Conclusion

Even a little goes a long way. If you're visiting Dubai for a vacation or trip then the Tourist Refund Scheme can genuinely save you a decent amount, especially if you're shopping for big-ticket items like electronics, luxury goods, jewellery, souvenirs, etc. 5% refund might seem like a small sum on individual purchases, but it adds up quickly. 

With just a little planning and awareness, you can claim back a good chunk of that money before you leave the country.