UAE VAT refunds for business visitors: who qualifies and who doesn’t

Full article - UAE VAT Refunds for Business Visitors: What Eligible Global Companies Should Know

Many international businesses assume UAE VAT paid on hotels, conferences, and events can be reclaimed. In reality, the UAE Business Visitor VAT Refund Scheme is narrow, technical, and driven by reciprocity rules that exclude large parts of the global market.

Key points businesses often miss:

• The scheme is only available to non-resident businesses with no UAE VAT registration
• A minimum AED 2,000 claim applies per calendar year
• Reciprocity is decisive, not spend size
• U.S. businesses are generally excluded due to the absence of a federal VAT refund mechanism
• Applications must be filed between 1 March and 31 August of the following year via EmaraTax

For eligible enterprises, the scheme can recover meaningful VAT. For others, UAE VAT should be treated as a permanent cost and priced accordingly.

At vat.claims, we focus on clarity before claims, helping businesses understand where recovery is genuinely possible and where it is not.

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Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Regulations and fees can change; always verify details directly with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism before applying.