If you are visiting the UAE, you can reclaim a significant part of the 5 percent VAT you pay on shopping when you leave the country. The process is fast and largely digital, which means you can get your refund at the airport in minutes if you prepare correctly. This guide explains how to claim VAT refund in the UAE for tourists in 2026, what to bring, the exact steps at the kiosk, how fees are calculated, and practical tips learned from frequent travelers and retailers supported by ADS Auditors.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | What to know |
| VAT rate | 5 percent |
| Minimum spend per receipt | AED 250 from a participating retailer |
| Who qualifies | Tourists who are not residents of GCC VAT-implementing states |
| Eligible purchases | Physical goods for personal use, carried in your luggage on departure |
| Not eligible | Services such as hotels and dining, motor vehicles and certain restricted goods |
| Deadline | Validate your tax-free purchases when departing, within 90 days from purchase |
| Where to claim | Self-service kiosks and counters at UAE airports, seaports, and land borders |
| Refund methods | Cash or credit card, cash subject to operator limits |
| Fees and calculation | 85 percent of VAT paid is refundable, minus a small fixed fee per tax-free form |
Sources: Federal Tax Authority, Tourist Refund Scheme and the scheme operator Planet Tax Free.
How to claim VAT refund in the UAE for tourists, step by step
- Shop at participating stores: Ask for a Tax Free purchase when paying. Show your passport so the retailer links the receipt to the Tourist Refund Scheme. Ensure each receipt is at least AED 250 and that the store displays the Tax Free logo.
- Collect your documents: You will receive a digital or printed Tax Free tag associated with your receipt. Keep the original receipt and the goods together. Do not check these items into hold luggage if you may be asked to present them.
- Head to a refund kiosk when departing: Arrive a little earlier than usual. Look for Tax Free kiosks before check-in or after security depending on the airport layout. Have your passport, boarding pass, receipts, and goods ready.
- Validate your purchase: Scan your passport or the Tax Free tag. Follow on-screen instructions, then be ready to show the goods and receipts to a customs or operator agent if requested. The system will confirm your eligible refund.
- Choose how to get paid: Select cash or card. Card refunds are usually more convenient and avoid cash caps, while cash is immediate but subject to an operator limit. Card refunds may take a few banking days to appear.
How your refund is calculated
Under the UAE Tourist Refund Scheme, the payable refund equals 85 percent of the VAT on eligible purchases, minus a small fixed fee charged per Tax Free form. Example:
- You buy a watch for AED 4,200 including VAT. The VAT inside this price is AED 200.
- Refund equals 85 percent of AED 200, minus a small fixed fee.
- 85 percent of AED 200 is AED 170. After the operator’s fixed fee per form, your net refund is slightly lower.
Practical tip: Consolidate eligible items into fewer transactions at the same participating retailer so you reduce the number of Tax Free forms and the per-form fixed fees.
Common mistakes that lead to delays or refusal
- Shopping at non-participating stores: Only retailers enrolled in the scheme can issue Tax Free receipts. Look for the logo and ask at the checkout.
- Splitting purchases below AED 250: Each receipt must meet the minimum. Combining items into one purchase helps.
- Checking goods into hold luggage: Keep items with you for potential inspection at the kiosk.
- Exceeding the 90-day window: Purchases must be validated on a departure that occurs within 90 days of the transaction date.
- Claiming for services: Hotel stays, restaurant bills, and car rental are not eligible under the tourist scheme.
Real traveler scenarios and lessons learned
- High-value item, smooth validation: Sarah bought a designer bag and jewelry totaling AED 9,500 from a participating mall boutique, issued on two Tax Free forms. She validated both forms at DXB, chose card refund, and avoided the cash cap. Lesson, for higher spends, card refund is simpler and often faster end to end.
- Mixed receipts, only some eligible: A family bought gifts across three shops. Two receipts were under AED 250, one was from a store not in the scheme. Only one receipt qualified. Lesson, consolidate your shopping at participating stores and meet the minimum per receipt.
- Last-minute rush, missed inspection: A traveler arrived late, went straight to the gate, and could not present goods when asked. Refunds was denied. Lesson, arrive earlier than usual and keep goods accessible until you complete validation.
How the UAE process compares to other destinations
- Digital by default: The UAE uses a centralized electronic system operated at kiosks, which reduces paperwork compared to many countries where forms are stamped and later mailed.
- Faster completion: Validation typically takes a few minutes if your documents and goods are ready. In some destinations, queues and manual checks lead to a longer wait.
- Transparent calculation: The 85 percent rule and fixed per-form fee make it easy to estimate what you will receive before you head to the airport.
If you are planning a vat refund in Dubai airport experience during a busy travel period, arrive early and use card refund to minimize wait time at the cash counter.
2025 insights for a smoother claim
- Keep digital copies: Store photos of your Tax Free tags and receipts on your phone in case a paper copy is misplaced.
- Use contactless boarding passes and e-gates, but still carry your physical passport since the kiosk uses passport validation.
- If you are traveling through multiple UAE airports on the same journey, validate at your final exit point. The goods must leave the country with you.
For retailers and hospitality leaders
Tourist VAT refunds influence where visitors choose to shop. To issue Tax Free receipts, your business must be VAT registered and enrolled with the scheme operator. ADS Auditors supports UAE retailers and hospitality brands with VAT Registration Services in Dubai, onboarding to the Tourist Refund Scheme, and ongoing compliance.In addition to this, ADS Auditors provide services related to VAT Refunds in Dubai along with guidance on documentation and schedule for businesses that are not residents and wish to get back VAT from UAE on their qualified business expenses through the foreign business refund process..
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need at the kiosk?
Your passport, boarding pass, the Tax Free receipt or tag, and the goods you purchased. Be ready for a quick inspection.
Can I claim VAT back on hotel bills and dining?
No. Services such as accommodation and restaurants are not eligible under the tourist refund scheme. The refund applies to goods carried in your luggage when you depart.
Do I have to claim at the same airport I arrived at?
No. Claim at the point where you physically exit the UAE, which can be an airport, seaport, or land border.
Is there a minimum purchase?
Yes. Each receipt must be at least AED 250 from a participating retailer to qualify.
How long does a card refund take?
The validation is immediate, however the funds may take a few banking days to appear depending on your card issuer.
What if I forget to validate within 90 days?
The purchase becomes ineligible. Always plan to validate during the trip when you depart the UAE within the 90-day window.
Need guidance or a quick double-check before you fly?
Talk to the staff at ADS Auditors if you are a traveler with a complicated schedule or a UAE merchant looking to increase Tax Free sales. In order to save time and maintain compliance, our advisors assist travelers, brands, and finance teams in clearly navigating VAT regulations. Start the conversation at ADS Auditors.