Can you claim VAT on travel extrasin the UAE?
Last reviewed
- Can you recover the VAT?
- Depends
- VAT charged
- Varies
- Corporate tax
- Deductible
Recoverable on UAE travel extras like insurance. Foreign VAT can't be claimed here.
When you can claim the VATand when it's blocked
You can claim
- Recover UAE VAT on business-related travel extras such as travel insurance and agency fees.
- Government visa fees are outside scope.
- Foreign VAT can't go on a UAE return.
You can't claim
- Personal or leisure items are blocked.
Worked examplesand why they land that way
- Recoverable
Travel insurance for a business trip
Travel insurance bought in the UAE for a business trip carries 5% that you can recover.
- No VAT to recover
Saudi VAT on a Riyadh meal
Not claimable in the UAE.
Foreign VAT can't go on a UAE return, so there's nothing to claim here. The meal is still a business cost for corporate tax.
What to keepand what to watch
Documents you need
Tax invoice.
Corporate tax
Deductible. Deductible for business travel.
GL account: Travel: other
Common mistakes
Putting foreign VAT on the UAE return.
Questions peopleask about this
Is there VAT on visa fees for business trips?
No. Government visa fees are outside the scope of VAT.
Can foreign VAT go on a UAE return?
No. Only UAE VAT can be claimed on a UAE return.
What about leisure extras on a business trip?
Personal or leisure items are blocked.
Relatedexpenses
- Airline expense No VAT to recover
- Hotels and lodging Depends
- VISA and residency payments Depends