UAE VAT refund for tourists: UAE Cabinet approves VAT refund for tourists

UAE VAT refund for tourists:The system will be implemented beginning the fourth quarter of 2018 in cooperation with an international specialised company in tax recovery services

Dubai: Tourists visiting the UAE will be able to claim a refund on the 5% value added tax (VAT) they pay whilst visiting the country, the UAE cabinet announced on Wednesday. The system is set to go live in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will apply to purchases made on goods at “participating retailers.” The cabinet said that the move was intended to support the growth of tourism.

The refund system will only be eligible to those travelling to the UAE from outside Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.