The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced that businesses must complete Corporate Tax registration within 90 days from the Date of Incorporation / MOA. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced that businesses must complete Corporate Tax registration within 90 days from the Date of Incorporation / MOA.

Eligibility Criteria for Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Published on: 10 Jan 2024 | Last Update: 26 Feb 2026
Eligibility Criteria for Tax Residency Certificate in UAE
Akshaya Ashok

Written by : Akshaya Ashok

Zacharias Mathew

Reviewer : Zacharias Mathew

A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) is an official document issued by tax authorities to certify an individual or a company’s tax status in a particular authority.This certificate serves as official documentation proving your tax residency status within the UAE, and can be crucial for claiming benefits under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) the UAE has with other countries. Obtaining a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE is especially important if you want to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income in both the UAE and your home country. 

In the UAE, there are primarily two kinds of TRCs:

  • Tax treaty TRC : An official document issued by a country's tax authority to confirm an individual's or entity's status as a tax resident in that particular country for a specific period.
  • Domestic TRC : Primarily used within the UAE.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Tax Residency Certificate

The requirements for qualifying for a Tax Residency Certificate vary for people and corporations, as does the requirement for either a Domestic or a Tax Treaty TRC.The Application Criteria for TRC differ slightly between these two types. Here are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a TRC in the United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Tax Residency as an Individual in UAE

To obtain a Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE, the applicant must fulfill certain conditions:

Tax Treaty TRC

To be eligible for a Tax Treaty TRC, the following requirements must be met:

  • Residence visa : Individual to hold a valid UAE residence visa.
  • Emirates ID :  A copy of the Emirates ID is required to verify the individual’s identity.
  • Annual Lease Agreement : A certified copy of the residential lease agreement or tenancy contract, to establish proof of residence.
  • Bank Statements : statements for the last six months that have been bank stamped.
  • Income Proof : such as an income or wage certificate
  • Entry and Exit Report : issued as proof of presence in the nation for more than 183 days, either by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship or a local, capable government agency.

Domestic TRC

For Domestic TRCs are subject to more flexible day-counting criteria:

Entry and Exit Report : issued by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship or a local competent government entity, verifying

  • exceeding 183 days of in-country day-counting. OR
  • For an individual to obtain an MoF Tax Residency Certificate to benefit from DTAAs, the general rule is to meet the 183-day residency requirement within the calendar year. Any alternative '90-day' or 'center of vital interests' tests are typically found within the specific DTAA itself, not as a separate domestic TRC type.
  • If the duration of stay in the country is less than 90 days, it is necessary to provide proof of both the regular or primary place of residence and the centre of one's personal and financial interests in the country.

Once these requirements are met, the individual can proceed with the TRC application to the Federal Tax Authority, which will further consolidate their tax position in the UAE. Remember, the TRC is a key document for individuals looking to benefit from the UAE’s tax agreements and to avoid double taxation.

 

Tax Residency as a Business in UAE

To obtain a Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE, the applicant must fulfill certain conditions:

Treaty TRC

Companies that have been established in the UAE for at least 12-months are eligible to apply for a Tax Treaty TRC. the following requirements must be met:

  • Valid Trade License .
  • Establishment contract : Certified copy of the establishment contract is required.
  • Shareholders and Manager Information : e.g. passports, Emirates IDs, and residence visas.
  • Financial Statements : Audited Financial Statements of past 12 months period.
  • Bank Statements : bank stamped statements for the previous six months.
  • Lease agreement : A certified copy of the lease agreement or tenancy contract, to establish local substance.
  • Tax Forms : From the nation where the certificate must be presented, if applicable.

 

Domestic TRC

If their company meets the following simplified requirements and has been operating in the UAE for at least a year, they are eligible to apply for a Domestic TRC:

  • Valid Trade License
  • Shareholders and Manager Information : e.g. passports, Emirates IDs, and residence visas.

The TRC serves as a key document for legal entities to establish their tax domicile and to benefit from the UAE’s tax agreements, thereby avoiding double taxation on their income. It’s important for entities to obey these guidelines to successfully obtain the TRC. remain ineligible for TRCs, an entity's eligibility is now primarily determined by its tax residency status under the UAE Corporate Tax Law and its ability to demonstrate adequate substance within the UAE. Offshore companies that demonstrate genuine substance may be eligible to apply.

 

Why Choose Reyson Badger for obtaining a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE?

Do you want to easily obtain your Tax Residency Certificate in the United Arab Emirates ? You only need to look at Reyson Badger ! To help you complete the procedure quickly and effectively, our knowledgeable staff specializes in offering smooth options for getting your Tax Residency Certificate.

At Reyson Badger, Customer satisfaction is our top priority. With our customized approach, you will get specialized help at every stage.Our knowledgeable staff makes things easier by quickly obtaining the required paperwork and certificates to guarantee that the TRC procedure is completed on schedule.

 

Here are the required documents needed to apply for a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Here are the step-by-step procedure on how to apply for a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Here is duration and cost for getting a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Here are the benefits for getting a Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Here are the TRC eligible countries in UAE

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