UAE Expats May Lose Travel Use of Second Passports

Thousands of expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many of them Indian nationals, are now watching their dream fall apart. These are not poor or desperate migrants. They are successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and families who spent a lot of money—sometimes over $100,000—on a second passport. These passports promised them security, freedom to travel, and a backup plan if things ever went wrong.

But now, everything is changing. The passports that once opened doors are at risk of becoming useless.

Why People Bought Second Passports

For years, countries like Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Egypt, and Cambodia offered a deal: if you invest a certain amount of money in their country, they’ll give you citizenship. This is known as Citizenship by Investment, or CBI.

Many people living in the UAE chose this route. It gave them the ability to travel without needing a visa to places like Europe or the United Kingdom. It also served as a safety net for their families—a “Plan B” in case of emergencies.

The Warning That Changed Everything

On June 14, a quiet but serious memo came from Washington. It didn’t make big headlines, but it had a massive impact.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned 36 countries offering CBI programs to improve their systems immediately. The U.S. gave them 60 days to either tighten their background checks and start revealing who they are giving passports to—or else face consequences. One major threat? Losing visa-free access to the United States and possibly other major countries.

The UK has already shown support, and the European Union is preparing new laws that could cancel visa-free travel to Schengen countries for any country with weak passport rules. These changes are expected by September, and if they pass, the value of CBI passports could suddenly collapse.

Why the UAE Is Deeply Affected

The UAE is home to a huge number of expatriates—about 90% of its population. Many of these expats used the CBI route to get second citizenships. Estimates say over 10,000 applications for second passports came from people living in the UAE, many of them including full families—spouses and children. That means nearly 30,000 people could be affected.

A large number of them are Indians. Since India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, many of these individuals had to give up their Indian passports in order to obtain a second one from a CBI country.

In 2023 alone, more than 4,300 Indians gave up their Indian citizenship—mostly to obtain Caribbean passports. Their goal was simple: travel easily in Europe while continuing to live and work in the Gulf.

Now, they may lose both mobility and security.

Why Is the Crackdown Happening Now?

This is not just about immigration control. It’s about trust and security.

A 2023 report by the European Commission raised concerns that some countries were handing out passports without properly checking people’s backgrounds. It claimed that criminals or even foreign spies could easily use these passports to move freely.

Countries like Cambodia and Egypt were also called out in the U.S. memo. Their fast-growing CBI programs have been accused of lacking transparency and proper checks.

Western governments now fear that these passport schemes are being used not just for travel or taxes but possibly for illegal activities, including money laundering, crime, and political influence operations.

People Who Paid Big Money Now Left With Questions

Many who bought CBI passports feel cheated. They spent their savings, believing these documents would offer them long-term freedom and mobility. Now, they are left confused and afraid.

Sam Bayat, a well-known legal expert in Dubai, explained, “People invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into these programs thinking it would give them global freedom. Now, they’re not even sure if their passports will be accepted at the airport.”

His legal office is receiving hundreds of calls from worried clients. People want to know if their passports are still valid, whether they can travel, or if they’ll be stopped at immigration.

As of now, there are no clear answers. Just a 60-day clock that is ticking fast.

Some Are Already Looking for Safer Alternatives

With all the uncertainty, many expats in the UAE are now searching for more secure options.

Some are turning to countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—places that have strict but clear immigration systems based on skills and qualifications.

Others are considering the UAE’s own Golden Visa, which is valid for 10 years. While it doesn’t offer the same visa-free travel benefits, it provides something even more important right now—stability.

What Will Happen to the Countries Selling Passports?

For countries like Dominica or Saint Kitts and Nevis, selling passports is not just a small business—it’s a major source of income.

In fact, for some of these nations, CBI revenue makes up more than 50% of their entire budget. That money is used to build hospitals, roads, and schools and pay government workers.

If they lose visa-free access to Europe or the U.S., their passport programs could become worthless. This would have a huge economic and diplomatic impact.

Governments in these countries are now rushing to fix the damage. They’re hiring compliance experts, updating rules, and promising to be more transparent. But experts warn—the trust is already broken, and it may take more than quick changes to fix it.