A UAE tax residency certificate is an official document that says you are a tax resident of the UAE, and it is commonly used to claim treaty benefits abroad. The Federal Tax Authority issues it, and a tax partner should confirm that you qualify before you apply.
By Imran Mirza, Founder & CEO, Xillion Group UAE. Born and raised in the UAE, with 18+ years of professional working experience, including nearly seven years at Barclays and ADCB and 12 years in UAE business setup. Last reviewed 29 October 2026.
The certificate is issued by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) on application, usually through EmaraTax. People most often ask about the 183 day test, and the Ministry of Finance also sets other tests, such as a shorter stay with a residence permit and a permanent home or business here. Check the current wording on the Ministry of Finance and FTA sites, and have a tax partner confirm your case. We have not verified the current fee, so cost and timing are quote on request.
Xillion Group UAE is a business setup consultancy. It is not a tax agent or a tax adviser and does not decide tax residence. Tax advice and applications as agent are coordinated through independent licensed external professional partners, who are not Xillion employees. The FTA decides whether to issue a certificate.
Xillion Group UAE is a consultancy. It is not a licensing authority, a bank or a law firm, and approvals are decided by the authority. This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice, and nothing here is a guarantee.
The FTA sets the exact list and can change it. We confirm it with the tax partner before you apply.
| Item | What we can say |
|---|---|
| FTA fee | Published by the FTA. We have not verified the current amount here, so we do not quote one. |
| Our service fee | Quote on request. |
| Timeline | Quote on request. The FTA decides and the time depends on how complete the file is. |
| Guarantee | None. The FTA decides whether to issue a certificate. |
No. A visa lets you live in the UAE. Tax residence is tested separately by rules from the Ministry of Finance. Ask a tax partner.
That is the best known test, but there are other tests. Check the current text and confirm with a tax partner. See our guide on days needed.
Companies can also ask for one under the FTA rules. A tax partner confirms the conditions.
Not by itself. See Golden Visa and ask a tax partner.
No. Only the FTA issues it.
The FTA publishes its own fee. Our service fee is quote on request.
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This page is general. We could not read the FTA site while preparing it, so the current tests, fee and documents must be confirmed on the FTA and Ministry of Finance sites and by a tax partner before publishing or acting.
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