The UAE has always been a launchpad for global business, and 2025 is proving to be one of its most transformative years yet. This blog covers:

• Freezones 2025: A Friendlier Playbook for Businesses
• UAE Visa System in Free Zones: Shorter Terms, Smoother Process
• The Investor Takeaway: Why It’s a Win
• How UAQ Free Trade Zone Is Well Positioned in This New Landscape
• The Bottom Line

Freezones 2025: A Friendlier Playbook for Businesses

In September 2025, the UAE Ministry of Finance released Ministerial Decisions No. 229 and 230, establishing a more defined framework for corporate tax treatment within free zones. The new regulations define how qualifying activities, pricing arrangements, and economic substance are assessed, simplifying the process and introducing powerful advantages designed to support investors, entrepreneurs, and global businesses.

Here’s what’s new:

• Clearer tax rules: The UAE’s Ministry of Finance has clarified which freezone businesses qualify for 0% corporate tax.
• Flexible licenses: Many free zones like UAQ FTZ now allow multiple business activities under one license.
• Faster approvals: Paperwork and amendment requests are being streamlined across zones.
• Property rights: Some free zones, including UAQ FTZ, signed agreements with the Dubai Land Department, letting their companies buy property in Dubai.

UAE Visa System in Free Zones: Shorter Terms, Smoother Process

Visas have also seen a refresh — designed for better control and convenience. Here’s what’s changing:

• Two-year visa validity: Work and residence visas issued by free zones will now last for two years instead of three.
• Temporary pause on transfers: Moving an employee from one freezone to another now requires a new application.
• More options for founders and freelancers: Investor, startup, and remote work visas are being simplified and extended.

In short, the UAE visa system is being fine-tuned for transparency — fewer loopholes, faster renewals, and more accountability.

The Investor Takeaway: Why It’s a Win

• Zero Tax Benefits Are Now Protected for Serious Businesses: Clearer rules around Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) reduce risk and increase investor confidence.
• Smarter Licensing Means Stronger Market Positioning: More precise licensing improves credibility with banks and compliance reputation.
• Visa Reform Is Opening Doors for Talent and Business Mobility: Structured and flexible visa pathways enable smoother team expansion and global recruitment.
• Financial Reporting Standards Build Investor Trust: Businesses now benefit from stronger credibility, better access to global banking, and eligibility for financing and tenders.
• Economic Substance Requirements Mean a Stronger Ecosystem: Ensures genuine operations, attracting real businesses and innovation-first sectors.

How UAQ Free Trade Zone Is Well Positioned in This New Landscape

UAQ FTZ stands out because it combines compliance-readiness with accessibility:

• Lower cost of entry compared to larger zones
• Visa options suitable for both solo founders and growing teams
• Flexible licensing for e-commerce, tech, consulting, trading, and logistics
• Infrastructure options ranging from flexi-desk to industrial space
• Support aligned with the new QFZP framework
• Offers a legitimate business set up in a UAE-designated free zone

The Bottom Line

The UAE isn’t becoming restrictive; it’s becoming smarter. 2025 marks the beginning of a more structured, investor-backed, globally aligned freezone environment where companies that operate genuinely and strategically are rewarded with:

• 0% tax eligibility
• Global business presence
• Operational flexibility
• Strong regulatory certainty
• Access to one of the fastest-growing trade hubs in the world

If you’ve been waiting for the “right moment” to set up in the UAE — this is it.