UAE VAT Reclaim Service for International Businesses | Antravia AE

Helping Global Businesses Recover VAT from UAE Expenses

Foreign companies attending trade fairs, exhibitions, or conducting supplier business in the United Arab Emirates often pay 5% VAT on hotels, marketing services, or professional fees but many of these businesses never reclaim what they’re owed.

To address this, Antravia has launched a specialised UAE VAT Reclaim Service, supporting international companies in recovering VAT charged on legitimate business expenses under the Federal Tax Authority’s (FTA) Business Visitor Refund Scheme. The service helps non-UAE companies recover VAT that would otherwise be lost, improving cash flow and financial efficiency for businesses visiting the UAE for commercial activities.

Who can Reclaim UAE VAT

Businesses that are not established or VAT-registered in the UAE, and that do not make taxable supplies within the UAE, can apply for refunds if their home country offers reciprocal VAT refund rights to UAE companies.

This includes most OECD countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.

Eligible claimants typically include:

• Companies attending UAE exhibitions, trade fairs, or conferences

• Businesses purchasing professional or consulting services from UAE suppliers

• Hotels, DMCs, and travel agencies contracting local partners for events or operations

• Technology and service providers meeting clients in the UAE

UAE VAT Reclaim - What you can recover

Refunds are available on a wide range of business expenses:

• Hotel stays for staff attending meetings or events

• Exhibition and event organiser fees

• Marketing, advertising, and PR services provided by UAE agencies

• Legal, accounting, and professional consulting

• Transport, freight, and logistics linked to business activities

Expenses that are personal in nature, such as meals, entertainment, or services linked to local sales, are excluded.

UAE VAT Reclaim at a Glance

Under the FTA’s Business Visitor Refund Scheme:

• The standard VAT rate in the UAE is 5%, introduced in 2018.

• Refunds apply to foreign businesses not established or registered in the UAE that operate in reciprocal countries.

• Common refundable costs include hotels, exhibitions, logistics, consultancy, and professional services.

• Exclusions include personal expenses, local supplies, and entertainment costs.

• Claims are filed annually, with refund windows typically opening 1 March to 31 August for the prior calendar year.

• Applications are submitted online through the Federal Tax Authority portal at https://eservices.tax.gov.ae.

• Required documentation includes original VAT invoices, supplier TRNs (Tax Registration Numbers), proof of payment, and a business license or VAT certificate from the applicant’s home country.

• Refunds are processed within approximately four to eight months and paid to foreign bank accounts in AED or the equivalent currency.

• The governing authority is the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), which oversees all indirect tax matters in the UAE.

How Antravia helps

Antravia’s UAE VAT Reclaim service simplifies this process from start to finish:

• Eligibility screening for reciprocity and expense type

• Document collection and review to ensure compliance with FTA standards

• Online submission via the FTA portal

• Clarification handling and follow-up during the review period

• Refund tracking and reconciliation into your accounting system

Our finance team works directly with clients’ accounting departments to ensure accuracy, transparency, and full documentation for audit readiness.

Why VAT Reclaim matters for International Businesses

For global companies, UAE VAT refunds can represent thousands in recoverable costs each year. Reclaiming VAT improves working capital, reduces the cost of business travel, and demonstrates strong financial control to auditors and investors. Many foreign entities mistakenly assume VAT cannot be recovered or that the process is not worth the effort. In practice, the UAE refund scheme is structured, clearly defined, and achievable with the right documentation and expert guidance.

Start your Refund with Antravia

Antravia provides cross-border accounting and VAT compliance support for businesses visiting or operating in the United Arab Emirates. Our new VAT Reclaim Service ensures businesses recover the tax they are entitled to while staying fully compliant with local regulations.

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Are you a UAE Business paying VAT Abroad?

Are you a UAE Business paying VAT Abroad?

If your company is based in the UAE and pays VAT on hotels, supplier invoices, or trade-fair costs in the UK, EU, or other international markets, you may also be eligible for foreign VAT refunds under reciprocal schemes.

Antravia’s dedicated platform Tax.Travel provides detailed guidance on reclaiming VAT from Europe, the UK, and beyond, helping UAE businesses recover international costs and improve cash flow across borders.

Antravia supports international businesses across travel, hospitality, and professional services with accounting, VAT, and cross-border compliance solutions. The UAE VAT Reclaim Service is part of Antravia’s broader commitment to helping global firms recover costs and manage international tax efficiently.