VAT Recovery in the United Arab Emirates for Foreign Businesses – Deadline of August 31
Foreign businesses not established in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can reclaim the VAT incurred on their business expenses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Subject to certain eligibility conditions, VAT recovery in the UAE represents a valuable opportunity for companies operating in or dealing with the Gulf region. With a standard VAT rate of 5% applied to most goods and services in the Emirates, reclaiming this VAT can lead to significant cash flow improvements and increased investment capacity for foreign businesses.
UAE VAT Refund for Foreign Business Visitors
The UAE VAT refund scheme is available to businesses that are:
- Established outside the GCC,
- Not registered for VAT in the UAE, and
- Not conducting taxable supplies within the UAE.
To qualify, the applicant must be VAT-registered in its country of establishment (outside the GCC), and that country must provide reciprocal VAT refund access to UAE-based companies under comparable conditions.
Claims can only be submitted once a year, covering a 12-month calendar period, and must reach a minimum refundable amount of AED 2,000.
August 31 Deadline : Plan Your UAE VAT Reclaim in Advance
The deadline to submit the 2024 VAT refund application in the UAE is August 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The application process requires:
- An online submission via the Federal Tax Authority’s platform;
- Supporting documents, some of which must be translated into English or Arabic and certified by the UAE Embassy in the applicant’s country;
- Hard copy documents to be physically sent to the UAE Federal Tax Authority before the deadline.
Due to the complexity and processing times, we strongly recommend starting the VAT refund preparation at least two months before the deadline to avoid delays or rejections.
Don’t Miss Out on VAT Recovery Opportunities in the Emirates
Reclaiming VAT in the UAE is not just an administrative formality – it’s a financial opportunity. Recovering 5% on eligible expenses such as hotel stays, exhibition fees, and professional services can result in a substantial refund for many companies attending trade shows, doing business development, or conducting operations in the region.
At BtoBnice, we support businesses throughout the UAE VAT recovery process:
- Tax invoices audit and compliance review
- Collection and verification of supporting documentation
- Submission of the electronic refund application
- Sending certified hard-copy documents to the Federal Tax Authority
- Full follow-up until the VAT refund is received
📧 Contact our international VAT experts at contact@btobnice.com to ensure your company meets the August 31 deadline and maximises its VAT refund in the UAE.
