Tourists visiting the UAE can claim only Dh7,000 per day as cash under the VAT refund scheme, but there is no maximum limit set for refunds effected through credit cards, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) clarified.

The new decision regarding the maximum daily amount a tourist can reclaim in cash is in line with the UAE’s overall strategy to reduce reliance on cash in financial transactions, and benefit from the country’s advanced digital and technological infrastructure.

Tourists can submit their tax invoices on purchases made at retail outlets registered within the scheme, along with their passport and credit card. Eligible applicants can recover an unlimited amount of taxes incurred if said amount is transferred to their card, while cash refunds are limited to DhD7,000 per tourist per day, an FTA statement said. From June, tourists could use self-service kiosks across the country to claim back VAT before departing the UAE.

In June, the FTA said it was not setting any limit on the maximum amount that can be recovered if said amount is transferred to the tourist’s credit card. Money requested is transferred to the person’s credit card after the transaction is verified.