Table of Contents
- Thousands in the UAE Caught in Second Passport Uncertainty
- What Triggered the Crisis?
- Real Impact on UAE Residents
- What Should You Do Now?
- Our Stand: Trust, Not Just Transactions
Second Passport Crisis: Why Integrity and Trust Now Define Global Mobility
Thousands in the UAE Caught in Second Passport Uncertainty
In recent weeks, global headlines have spotlighted a growing crisis: Thousands of UAE residents who obtained second passports through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes now face unprecedented uncertainty.
These passports — often acquired from countries like Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Cambodia, and Egypt — were marketed as fast-tracked gateways to visa-free travel, tax benefits, and long-term security. However, changing geopolitical dynamics are now reshaping the landscape of investment migration.
What Triggered the Crisis?
On June 14, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a memorandum, giving 36 countries just 60 days (until August 13, 2025) to implement robust due diligence, security vetting, and data-sharing protocols — or risk being removed from U.S. visa waiver programs.
Simultaneously, the European Union is considering suspending visa-free Schengen access for countries whose CBI schemes lack transparency and integrity.
This comes in response to growing concerns over:
• Lax due diligence in “golden passport” schemes
• National security threats posed by opaque citizenship sales
• Absence of genuine residency or integration requirements
Real Impact on UAE Residents
The UAE is home to a vast population of expatriates — especially from India, Pakistan, and across the Middle East — many of whom turned to second citizenship as a route to global flexibility.
But now, tens of thousands of these passport holders are facing sudden limitations:
• Indian nationals, who had to renounce their Indian passports, may find themselves stuck with a passport that no longer offers promised mobility.
• Many families sold property or invested life savings into securing second passports, believing it would secure their children’s future.
“We took this step thinking we were securing our future. Now everything feels up in the air,” shared a Dubai-based Indian expat who acquired a Saint Lucia passport in 2022.
The U.S. and EU are not attacking investment migration as a concept — but they are sending a loud message: Only those who uphold strong governance, screening, and public trust will remain in the global mobility network.
What Should You Do Now?
At Abroad Routes, we’re actively supporting affected individuals and families to explore safer and sustainable alternatives.
Here are our recommendations:
🔹 Explore the UAE’s Golden Visa
The UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa offers a credible and secure residency route — backed by clear eligibility and government transparency.
🔹 Shift to Points-Based Permanent Residency
Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand offer merit-based immigration programs focused on your qualifications, skills, and long-term contribution.
🔹 Avoid Shortcuts and Focus on Long-Term Stability
If you’re considering investment migration, prioritize countries with real residency requirements, integration processes, and public accountability.
Our Stand: Trust, Not Just Transactions
At Abroad Routes, we believe that migration is a life-changing journey — not a transaction. We guide clients toward transparent, compliant, and future-ready options that protect your global access and legacy.
“A second passport is not a right — it’s a privilege based on trust and integrity.”
If you’re affected by the current developments or want to reassess your second passport or residency plans, speak to our advisors today.
