The United Arab Emirates has significantly reduced the time required for tourists to receive value-added tax (VAT) refunds, cutting the process from about nine days to just one business day. This improvement comes with the introduction of an artificial intelligence-powered platform by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), designed to streamline and automate tax refund claims through a mobile application.
The new system is currently active at Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport. It allows eligible tourists to complete refund requests digitally, eliminating the need for in-person verification in cases where purchased items do not require inspection.
To begin the process, visitors download Planet’s mobile application, the approved operator of the UAE’s Tourist Tax Refund Scheme. Tourists register by scanning their face and uploading images of their passport and bank card. Upon departing the UAE, travelers scan a dynamic QR code displayed at tourist tax refund service points within the airports. This initiates the refund process directly on the app.
The integrated platform assesses each transaction to determine if inspection is necessary. Purchases that do not require inspection can be processed entirely within the app, allowing tourists to select their preferred refund method and finalize their claim quickly. If inspection is required, the app provides specific instructions to guide the visitor through the additional steps.
For transactions subject to inspection, the system directs tourists to Planet’s AI-enabled smart gates, which use facial recognition technology for identity verification. As travelers pass through these gates, their identities and transaction details are automatically confirmed, granting access to designated self-service kiosks. This technology obviates the need for repeated manual identification procedures, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
The platform also employs automated matching of invoicing and travel data to boost verification accuracy, reducing the need for manual review by FTA staff. Additionally, the system offers a multilingual interface that adjusts language settings according to the user’s nationality. Beyond expediting processing times, the AI capabilities help detect unusual transaction patterns, supporting tax compliance efforts and safeguarding public funds while simplifying the refund experience.