Ministerial Decision No.84 (2025): What UAE Free Zone Companies Need to Know — And How Bizvisor Helps You Stay Compliant

📌 Introduction

In a major move affecting thousands of Free Zone businesses across the UAE, the Ministry has issued Decision No. 84 of 2025, introducing stricter audit and financial compliance requirements under the UAE Corporate Tax framework.

For startups and SMEs operating under Free Zone licenses, this decision isn’t just a bureaucratic update — it’s a shift in how your business will be evaluated for tax exemptions and long-term viability.

At Bizvisor, we work closely with entrepreneurs and small businesses to navigate these changes smoothly, ensuring you remain eligible for 0% corporate tax, fully audit-ready, and protected from non-compliance penalties. Whether you’re in DMCC, Sharjah Free Zone, Ajman, or any other jurisdiction, this guide breaks down what Decision No. 84 means for your business — and how to stay ahead of it with Bizvisor as your compliance partner.

📜 What Is Ministerial Decision No.84 of 2025?

Issued under the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law on Corporate Tax, Ministerial Decision No.84 clarifies and tightens the financial reporting obligations for businesses operating within Free Zones. This decision is part of a broader effort to align UAE business practices with international transparency and tax compliance standards.

Key Highlights:

• All Free Zone Persons are now required to prepare and maintain audited financial statements in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)

• These financials must be retained for a minimum of seven years

• Non-compliance may disqualify your business from 0% tax benefits or trigger penalties

• Businesses must submit these records upon request by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)

This is especially critical for companies seeking or maintaining Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status to remain eligible for 0% corporate tax.

👥 Who Does This Impact?

The short answer: almost every Free Zone business.

Business Type	Before Decision 84	Now (Post Decision 84)
Free Zone startups with low profit	Audits optional or not enforced	Mandatory IFRS-based audits
QFZP-claiming companies	Required audited financials	Stricter documentation checks enforced
Holding/SPV companies in DMCC	Simplified setup with low oversight	Must maintain proper records and audit reports
Businesses below AED 375,000 profit	Exempt from tax	Still must comply with documentation & audit

Whether you’re just launching in a Free Zone or have been operating for years, your license renewal, banking access, and tax exemption status could now be at risk without the right financial structure.

🚨 Why This Is a Big Deal for Free Zone Businesses

If you’re a founder or SME operating in the UAE, here’s why this matters:

1. Corporate Tax Compliance
Maintaining QFZP status is the only way to retain 0% corporate tax within Free Zones. Without IFRS-compliant audits, your eligibility may be revoked.

2. Business Continuity & Renewal
Many Free Zones are now tying license renewal and investor visa eligibility to updated financial documentation.

3. Bank Relationships
Banks in the UAE are increasingly requesting audited statements during account openings or credit applications. This decision adds legal backing to that requirement.

4. Due Diligence in Future Transactions
Planning to raise capital, bring on investors, or sell your company? Clean, compliant financials are now non-negotiable.

📊 What You Need to Do Immediately

Here’s a step-by-step checklist Bizvisor recommends to stay compliant:

Financial Preparation

• Hire a registered auditor with IFRS experience in UAE Free Zones

• Shift internal bookkeeping to IFRS-compliant software

• Prepare historical financials if audits were skipped in previous years

Document Management

• Store all relevant business records for minimum 7 years

• Back up invoices, contracts, license renewals, and tax filings digitally

Evaluate Your Entity Structure

• Are you eligible for QFZP? (If you serve outside the UAE, you might be)

• Are you using a holding or SPV company in DMCC? Ensure it’s structured right

• Operating across zones or with Mainland clients? You may need a hybrid license setup

Need help reviewing this? Book a free advisory session with Bizvisor

🔐 How Bizvisor Helps You Stay Compliant

At Bizvisor, we support startups and small businesses not just at setup — but through every compliance stage. Here’s how we help:

Entity Structuring & Audit Readiness

• Free Zone license selection based on tax optimization and audit flexibility

• Guidance on QFZP status eligibility and documentation

• Pre-audit checks, financial partner connections, and ongoing advisory

Bookkeeping & Records Support

• Helping clients move to cloud-based accounting that aligns with FTA standards

• Document management templates and tools

• Reminders for license renewals and audit deadlines

Ongoing Compliance Support

• Annual reviews and tax advisory

• Collaboration with certified auditors and FTA-registered professionals

• Free Zone business setup services with built-in compliance pathways

Explore our full range of Free Zone support:

• Sharjah Free Zone

• Ajman Free Zone

• Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone

• Umm Al Quwain Free Zone

• Fujairah Free Zone

🧠 Final Thoughts

Ministerial Decision No.84 is not just legal housekeeping. It’s a signal that the UAE is maturing into a more transparent, globally-aligned economy — and every business needs to evolve with it.

Whether you’re just getting started or restructuring for growth, staying compliant with the latest regulations can make or break your access to benefits like 0% tax, investor confidence, and even bank support.

At Bizvisor, we don’t just help you register a business. We help you build it to last.

📞 Need help reviewing your audit readiness or Free Zone license?
Schedule a free consultation with our experts today.