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Get Business Visitor VAT Refunds in the UAE, Even if Your Country Isn't on the List

Did you know you can claim back Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on business expenses during your visit to the UAE? This is a great benefit for businesses, but there's a catch: only countries with a reciprocal agreement with the UAE qualify for these refunds.

This article will guide you through the process of requesting the UAE to add your home country to the approved list for business visitor VAT refunds.

What You'll Need

• A registered business in a country outside the UAE (ideally with a trade agreement with the UAE)
• Proof of your business registration (documents may vary by country)
• The approved trade agreement document between your country and the UAE (if applicable)
• An EmaraTax account (you can sign up online if you don't have one)

Steps to Take

Log in to EmaraTax. You can use your login credentials, UAE Pass, or sign up for a new account if needed.

Select "Special Refunds" from the user type options.

Click on "Proceed" to initiate the special refund process.

Access the Business Visitor Refund Dashboard. Here you can see past refund requests.

Start a New Refund Request.

Review the refund instructions and guidelines. Make sure you understand the requirements before proceeding.

Indicate your country of business registration.

If your country isn't listed:

• Select "Other".
• Click to choose the country where your business is registered.
• Upload a copy of the approved trade agreement document between your country and the UAE.

Click "Submit" to send your request to the FTA. You'll receive an application number for tracking purposes.

Download an acknowledgement copy of your application submission for your records.

Important Notes