VT vs VWRA vs IWDA for UAE residents
These three funds give one-fund exposure to shares around the world, but not the same index: VT and VWRA include emerging markets, while IWDA holds developed markets only. For an investor living in the UAE the other differences are cost, domicile, what happens to dividends, and how US tax treats each one.
The funds side by side
| ETF | Domicile | Index | Dividends | Expense ratio | Listing | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | United States | FTSE Global All Cap | Paid out quarterly | 0.06% a year | NYSE Arca, US dollars | 2008 |
| VWRA Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (Acc) | Ireland (UCITS) | FTSE All-World | Reinvested (accumulating) | 0.14% a year | London, US dollars | 2019 |
| IWDA iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) | Ireland (UCITS) | MSCI World (developed markets only) | Reinvested (accumulating) | 0.20% a year | London, US dollars | 2009 |
Expense ratios as reported by our market data, 1 Oct 2026. Figures for VWRA, IWDA come from the Xetra listing of the same fund (same ISIN), which trades in euros.
Returns in US dollars
| ETF | 1 year | 3 years, a year | 5 years, a year | 10 years, a year | Volatility 3Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT | +15.05% | +21.51% | +11.06% | +12.38% | 14.49% |
Total returns with dividends reinvested, to 1 Oct 2026. Returns over 3 years and longer are compounded annual returns. VWRA, IWDA are left out of this table because our data for them is in euros, and a euro return would differ from the US dollar return by the currency move alone. The London US dollar listing tracks the same index, so its return differs mainly by cost and by the lower tax on US dividends inside the fund. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
What differs for an investor living in the UAE
- US estate tax. VT is domiciled in the United States, so its shares count as US assets. For a person who is not a US citizen or resident, US estate tax can apply above US$60,000 of US assets, at rates that rise to 40%. VWRA, IWDA, domiciled in Ireland, are generally not treated as US assets for this tax.
- Tax on US dividends. The UAE has no income tax treaty with the United States, so US dividends paid to a UAE resident usually have 30% withheld. An Irish UCITS fund pays 15% on the US dividends it receives, under the US and Ireland treaty, and these funds reinvest the rest.
- Cost. Compare the expense ratios above; on funds tracking the same index, a lower yearly cost is the most certain difference in what you keep.
- Where you buy. The US funds trade in New York in US dollars; the UCITS funds named here trade in London in US dollars. Check which your broker offers and what it charges for each market.
The outcome depends on your nationality, residence and facts, so confirm your own position with a tax adviser. Sources: IRS, estate tax for nonresidents and US income tax treaties, checked October 2026.
Questions
Do VT, VWRA, IWDA track the same thing?
Not exactly. VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap; VWRA tracks the FTSE All-World; IWDA tracks the MSCI World (developed markets only). Their returns differ for that reason as well as cost.
Why does domicile matter for someone living in the UAE?
A US-domiciled ETF counts as a US asset. For a person who is not a US citizen or resident, US estate tax can apply to US assets above US$60,000, at rates that rise to 40%, and US dividends paid to a UAE resident usually have 30% withheld because the UAE has no income tax treaty with the United States. Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETFs are generally not treated as US assets for estate tax, and the fund pays 15% on its US dividends under the US and Ireland treaty. The outcome depends on your nationality, residence and facts, so confirm your position with a tax adviser.
What does accumulating mean?
An accumulating fund reinvests its dividends inside the fund instead of paying them out, so no dividend reaches your account. A distributing fund pays dividends out, usually every quarter.