As you know, the UAE has introduced a value-added tax (VAT) of 5% on January 1, 2018. But the good news for tourists and foreign shoppers is that the local Government has developed the special procedure of tax refund – VAT refund for tourists. Now everyone can make a tax refund in Dubai airport with a simple VAT refund form. The Tax-Free system starts working at the airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from November 18, 2018, and by the middle of December, such a scheme of tax refund will work at all other airports, seaports, and ground border crossing points.
So, what is required from a tourist to use this new tax refund scheme – value added tax (VAT) refund in the UAE? In order to use this new tax refund service for tourists in Dubai, you have to bring cash receipts from stores ( from those being registered in the united VAT refund system of the UAE). Almost 5 thousand sales points across the country have already joined the system. You must also provide your passport and a bank card. This data is necessary to confirm that you are a tourist and you are in the country for less than 90 days with a tourist, not a resident visa. Then it remains to choose the form in which you want to receive your money: cash or a bank account. That's all. Enjoy your shopping tax-free in the UAE.
