How to Get a Domestic Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE (The Right Way)

If you’ve been thinking about moving to Dubai and reducing your global tax burden, then you’ve probably heard this before: “You only need to spend 90 days in the UAE to become a tax resident.”

And yes — it’s true.

But there’s a catch: doing it properly.

A lot of people think just being in the UAE for 90 days automatically makes them tax residents and that everything will work out just fine. While it’s not entirely wrong, there’s more to it than just booking flights and counting calendar days.

At GenZone, we’ve helped hundreds of individuals (including our own team members) obtain UAE Domestic Tax Residency Certificates — and today, we’re breaking down the how, the why, and what to avoid.

Let’s get right into it.

First, What Is a Tax Residency Certificate?

A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) — also called a Domestic Tax Residency Certificate — is a government-issued document by the UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

It confirms that you are considered a tax resident of the United Arab Emirates for a specific calendar year.

This certificate is useful if:

You’re being taxed in your home country and want to claim UAE residency status.
You want to show ties to the UAE for compliance or banking purposes.
You’re doing international business and need proof of where your tax obligations lie.

It’s not mandatory. The UAE doesn’t require it unless you specifically need to prove your tax residency to someone else — like a foreign government or bank.

But if you’re going all-in on Dubai as your new home base, it’s a valuable “receipt” that says, “Hey, I live and pay taxes here (or don’t, because it’s Dubai!).”

Is It Really Just 90 Days?

Yes — but let’s clarify that.

To be eligible for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate as an individual, you must:

Spend at least 90 days in the UAE during the relevant calendar year.
Have a valid UAE residency visa.
Show proof of UAE-based income or business, housing, and banking.

It’s not just about stepping off a plane and sipping karak for 3 months. You need to show substance — that you actually live in the UAE.

So yes, 90 days is the magic number — but how you spend those 90 days matters.

At GenZone, we always recommend aiming for at least 183 days if possible, as that threshold is widely recognized around the world for tax residency. But for the UAE’s own TRC? 90 days will do.

Is It Difficult to Get?

Not if you know what you’re doing.

We’ve seen rumors and TikToks saying it’s hard or people are getting rejected. And honestly, it can be tricky if you try to DIY the application without the right paperwork or strategy.

Most issues come from:

Poorly set-up companies
Incomplete documentation
Low-compliance free zones
Lack of UAE bank activity or proof of housing

But if you do things the right way — which we’ll explain here — the process is actually very straightforward.

We’ve even done it for GenZone’s own co-founder, who now holds an official tax certificate for 2023. So yes, we’re not just consultants — we walk the walk ourselves.

Here’s What You Need to Apply

To apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate as an individual, you’ll need to gather the following documents:

Copy of your passport
Copy of your Emirates ID
Copy of your valid UAE residence visa
UAE entry-exit report (showing 90+ days in the country)
Tenancy contract or title deed (showing you reside in the UAE)
Proof of income (salary certificate, business ownership, or local earnings)
Bank statements (from a UAE bank — 6 months minimum)
Utility bill (to match your UAE residence)
A letter stating your purpose for requesting the certificate

We prepare all of this for our clients — and we get everything done through certified chartered accountants with 10+ years of experience in the UAE. Some of them are ex-Big 4, so they know their stuff inside and out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now here’s where most people go wrong:

1. Trying to DIY Without Understanding the System

The TRC process involves multiple UAE government departments, compliance checks, and often Arabic documentation. If you’re not familiar with how to navigate this, your application might get rejected — not because you’re ineligible, but because of poor paperwork.

2. Low-Compliance Free Zones

A lot of people go for the cheapest free zone option — and then wonder why their visas or bank accounts are rejected later.

The truth is: not all free zones are created equal.

Some are known for lax checks and fast-tracked licenses. Sounds good, right? Until your visa gets flagged, or your bank rejects your application due to that zone’s reputation.

At GenZone, we avoid these completely. We stick to Dubai-based, high-compliance zones only.

3. Insufficient Bank Activity

If your bank account in the UAE is basically inactive, that can be a red flag. The authorities want to see real life — rent payments, groceries, utility bills, client payments — not just one deposit and silence.

4. “Gaming” the System

Flying in and out just to “clock hours” — two days here, three days there — doesn’t look good. Immigration can see your travel patterns. If it looks like you’re just trying to qualify on paper without living here, you risk rejection.

Bottom line: actually live here. Build ties. Use your bank account. Get a place. Build a rhythm. Then apply.

Is the Certificate Enough to Prove I’m a Tax Resident?

That depends on your home country.

The UAE TRC is a strong document, issued by the Federal Tax Authority, and it’s accepted in most international jurisdictions. But some aggressive tax authorities (like Canada, the UK, or Germany) may ask for more than just one paper.

So what else can you use?

Entry/exit reports showing your stay
Local utility bills
Tenancy contracts
Business licenses
Proof of UAE income
Bank activity and transaction history

In tax terms, this is known as “center of life” evidence — showing your life is based in the UAE, not elsewhere.

This is why we always advise clients to actually live here, even if it’s just 4-6 months a year. It strengthens your case massively, especially with foreign tax authorities.

How Long Does It Take to Get?

On average, expect 4 to 6 weeks from the time your application is submitted to receiving your certificate.

If you’re applying through GenZone, we’ll walk you through the prep, collect all the documents, and handle the submission with our CA partners.

Is It Mandatory?

Nope. You don’t need to apply for it unless a government, tax authority, or foreign institution specifically asks for it.

But if you’re planning to:

Prove you’re not a tax resident elsewhere
Open certain offshore bank accounts
Claim UAE residency benefits abroad

…then it’s worth getting.

Just keep in mind: getting a TRC doesn’t mean you now pay tax in the UAE — because the UAE has zero personal income tax anyway.

Why Clients Work with GenZone for TRCs

We don’t just tell you what to do — we actually do it for you.

We’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners get their TRCs successfully.
We know which free zones and business structures work best for tax residency.
We work with experienced, certified accountants to make sure nothing is missed.
And we help you structure your UAE presence from start to finish.

Our goal isn’t to help you “trick the system.” Our goal is to help you move here properly, become a legitimate UAE resident, and reduce your global tax burden legally.

Final Tips Before You Apply

Start Early – Don’t wait until December to try to prove 90 days. Spread your stay across the year.
Keep Records – Save your rent contracts, utility bills, bank statements, travel history.
Avoid Low-Compliance Zones – What saves you $1,000 today might cost you your visa later.
Work With Pros – Seriously, don’t DIY this one. We’ve seen it go wrong too many times.

Ready to Become a UAE Tax Resident?

At GenZone, we help you:

Set up your business in the right free zone
Obtain a valid residency visa
Open a UAE bank account
Spend 90+ days living here
Apply for and receive your UAE Domestic Tax Residency Certificate

If you’re ready to make the move, click the link below to book a free call with our expert team.

And if you’re still exploring? Watch our detailed video guide on moving to the UAE right here.

Let’s get your tax life sorted — the GenZone way.