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How to Get Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

Author 1
Written By Fayas Ismail,
Published on September 29, 2026
How to Get Tax Residency Certificate in UAE

A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) in the UAE is an official certificate issued by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) that can help eligible individuals and companies establish their UAE tax residency, particularly when seeking benefits under a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between the UAE and another country.

If you are searching for how to get Tax Residency Certificate in UAE, the application is submitted electronically through the FTA's EmaraTax platform. The required documents and eligibility conditions depend on whether you are applying as a natural person or a legal person and whether the certificate is required for treaty or other purposes.

What Is a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?

A UAE Tax Residency Certificate is a document issued by the FTA upon request. It can be used to support a person's or company's claim of UAE tax residency and, where applicable, to seek benefits under a DTA.

The FTA allows both natural persons and legal persons to apply for a Tax Residency Certificate. A TRC is different from a trade licence, Emirates ID, or tax registration certificate because it specifically relates to tax residency for the requested period and purpose.

Who Can Apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?

The eligibility requirements depend on the applicant.

1. Individuals

Individuals living or working in the UAE may apply for a TRC if they satisfy the applicable UAE tax-residency requirements for the requested period.

For treaty purposes, the FTA states that a natural person must have been a UAE resident for at least 183 days during the relevant financial year. Different criteria can apply for certificates requested for domestic purposes.

2. Companies

Companies and other legal persons can also apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate.

For a legal person applying for a certificate for tax-agreement purposes, the FTA states that the applicant must have been established in the UAE for at least one year. The FTA's Tax Resident and TRC guide also states that newly incorporated companies that have not yet filed a Corporate Tax Return must be established for 12 months before being eligible to apply for a TRC.

This is particularly relevant for businesses that want to use a UAE TRC when dealing with international tax matters.

How to Get Tax Residency Certificate in UAE?

The application process is completed online through EmaraTax.

Step 1: Create or Log In to Your EmaraTax Account

Visit the FTA's EmaraTax platform and log in using your existing credentials. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one.

The FTA confirms that the Tax Residency functionality is available through the “Other Services” section of EmaraTax.

Step 2: Select Tax Residency Certificate

After logging into your EmaraTax account:

Other Services → Tax Residency Certificate

You can then start the TRC application.

Step 3: Select the Applicant

You will need to identify whether the application is for:

  • A natural person
  • A legal person

For a company application, the relevant Corporate Tax TRN can be selected where applicable. The FTA guide notes that providing a TRN can reduce application fees and allow some information to be populated automatically.

Step 4: Select the Purpose of the Certificate

The application generally requires you to identify whether the TRC is required for:

  • Double Taxation Agreement purposes
  • Other purposes

If the certificate is being requested for DTA purposes, the relevant foreign country may need to be selected in the application.

Step 5: Enter the Required Information

Complete the requested information carefully. This can include details relating to:

  • Applicant information
  • UAE tax registration
  • Financial year
  • Residency information
  • Country for which the certificate is required
  • Supporting documentation

The exact requirements can vary depending on the applicant and purpose of the TRC.

Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are an important part of the application.

Depending on the applicant and circumstances, documents may include evidence relating to UAE residency, income, banking, business activities, and other information requested by the FTA.

For example, the FTA's TRC documentation includes requirements such as bank statements and other supporting evidence depending on the type and purpose of the application.

Step 7: Pay the Applicable Fees

After completing the application, the applicable FTA fees need to be paid.

The FTA currently lists the following TRC fees:

Applicant

Certificate Fee

Submission Fee

Registered natural person

AED 500

AED 50

Non-registered natural person

AED 1,000

AED 50

Registered legal person

AED 500

AED 50

Non-registered legal person

AED 1,750

AED 50

A printed certificate can incur an additional AED 250 fee.

Step 8: Wait for FTA Review

Once the application and payment have been submitted, the FTA reviews the application.

The FTA FAQ currently states that it will take within five working days to review the application. Processing can depend on whether the application is complete and whether additional information is required.

Once issued, the electronic certificate can be downloaded through the relevant FTA system.

Documents Required for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate

The required documents depend on whether the applicant is an individual or company.

For Individuals

Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may include:

  • Emirates ID
  • Passport
  • UAE residence information
  • UAE entry and exit records
  • Proof of residence
  • Bank statements
  • Income or salary evidence
  • Property or tenancy documents
  • Other country-specific documents

The FTA's TRC manual identifies documents such as UAE residence evidence, immigration reports, local bank statements and country-specific documents for relevant applications.

For Companies

A company may need to provide documents supporting its UAE establishment and tax-residency position, depending on the application.

These may include:

  • Trade licence or incorporation documents
  • Corporate Tax information
  • Memorandum or establishment documents
  • Financial records
  • Bank statements
  • Business-related supporting documents
  • Authorisation documents
  • Other documents requested by the FTA

Companies should make sure that the information in the application is consistent with their official records.

Why Do You Need a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?

A TRC can be important for businesses and individuals with international financial or tax connections.

Common reasons include:

Claiming DTA Benefits

The UAE has entered into Double Taxation Agreements with numerous countries. A TRC can be used as supporting evidence when seeking applicable treaty benefits.

However, having a UAE TRC does not automatically guarantee that a particular treaty benefit will apply. The relevant DTA and the rules of the other country must also be considered.

Supporting International Tax Planning

Businesses operating across multiple countries may need to establish their tax residency when reviewing cross-border transactions and tax obligations.

Supporting Foreign Tax Authority Requests

A foreign tax authority, bank, business partner or other institution may request evidence of tax residency depending on the circumstances.

Is a Tax Residency Certificate the Same as a UAE Trade Licence?

No.

A trade licence demonstrates that a business is licensed to conduct permitted activities in the UAE. A Tax Residency Certificate is issued by the FTA and serves a different purpose related to tax residency.

Therefore, having a UAE trade licence does not mean that the business automatically has a TRC for every purpose.

Can a Free Zone Company Get a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?

A UAE free-zone company may be able to apply for a TRC if it satisfies the applicable requirements.

However, companies should distinguish between being established or resident under UAE rules and being entitled to a particular benefit under a foreign country's DTA.

The relevant facts, financial period, supporting documents and treaty requirements should be reviewed before submitting the application.

Can a New Company Immediately Get a UAE TRC?

Not necessarily.

For a legal person seeking a TRC for tax-agreement purposes, the FTA states that the applicant must have been established in the UAE for at least one year. The FTA guide also specifically addresses newly incorporated companies that have not yet filed a Corporate Tax Return.

Therefore, newly established businesses should check their eligibility before submitting an application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a UAE TRC

A TRC application can face delays or issues if the supporting information is incomplete or inconsistent.

Common mistakes include:

  • Selecting the wrong applicant type
  • Choosing the wrong financial year
  • Uploading incomplete documents
  • Providing inconsistent company information
  • Using incorrect personal details
  • Failing to provide required bank statements
  • Selecting the wrong purpose for the certificate
  • Applying before satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements

Reviewing the application carefully before submission can help reduce avoidable issues.

How Young and Right Can Help With UAE Tax Residency Matters

Understanding how to get Tax Residency Certificate in UAE is important, but international tax requirements can become more complicated when a company or individual has income, assets or business activities in multiple countries.

Young and Right provides tax and international tax-related advisory support for UAE businesses. Its international tax services include areas such as cross-border transaction analysis, international tax planning, tax reporting and filing assistance, transfer pricing compliance and tax compliance management.

Businesses can seek professional guidance to understand the documentation required, review their tax position and prepare for UAE tax-related requirements before submitting a TRC application.


Akshaya Ashok
Reviewed By
Fahadh Ismail

FAQ

You can apply online through the FTA's EmaraTax platform. Log in or create an account, select Other Services → Tax Residency Certificate, choose the relevant applicant and purpose, provide the required information and documents, pay the applicable fees, and wait for the FTA to review the application.
The FTA currently states that it will take within five working days to review the application. The actual process may depend on the completeness of the application and whether further information is requested.
For a registered legal person, the listed fees are AED 50 for submission and AED 500 for the certificate. For a non-registered legal person, the certificate fee is AED 1,750 plus the AED 50 submission fee. A printed certificate can cost an additional AED 250.
Yes. Legal persons can apply for a UAE TRC. For tax-agreement purposes, the FTA states that a legal person must have been established in the UAE for at least one year.
No. A TRC is evidence issued by the UAE FTA, but eligibility for a particular DTA benefit depends on the applicable treaty and the requirements of the relevant foreign jurisdiction.

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