The UAE’s Digital Tourist VAT Refund System has grown to cover 19,340 registered retail outlets as of the end of June 2026, up 5.9% from 18,260 outlets at the same point last year, the Federal Tax Authority confirmed.
The FTA added 449 outlets to the network in the first six months of 2026, bringing the cumulative total of new connections over the past two and a half years to 2,983. The number of self-service kiosks available to tourists rose from 93 to 100 over the same 12-month period, a 7.5% annual increase, with 23 kiosks added across the two-and-a-half-year window. The kiosks are installed at shopping centres, hotels, and departure points across the country.
FTA Director General Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla described the system as the most advanced of its kind globally. “Within minutes, tourists can complete their transactions, receive a digital invoice and submit it directly through the system before leaving the UAE,” he said, adding that kiosk coverage at departure points and hotels allows visitors to complete the refund process quickly without assistance.
The authority said nationals from five countries accounted for the largest share of refund claimants so far in 2026: India, Russia, Turkey, China and the United States.
On the product side, the Noon e-commerce platform has been integrated into the system, allowing tourists to claim VAT refunds on eligible online purchases made during their time in the UAE. The FTA described this as a global first. The move is part of a broader plan, developed in partnership with approved system operator Planet, to bring more online retailers and platforms into the scheme.
Planet’s associated smart application has also been updated this year to support 12 languages, up from one, and now displays the official UAE dirham symbol.
