Thousands of residents of UAE who invested in another passport, ban visas as the US, the UK tightened the CBI rules. world News

For many migrants in the UAE, receiving a second passport through citizenship by investment (CBI) programs has become a popular path for global mobility, providing visa-free access to major destinations such as UK, Schengen region and other countries. Unlike its domestic countries, where the ban on visas or passports can limit the global movement, UAE residents benefit from the rules that allow dual citizenship, which makes it easier for CBI options in countries such as Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Cambodia and Egypt. These countries provide route for citizenship in exchange for heavy financial investments. However, recent developments have put a shadow on these investments, many people have been abandoned in a state of uncertainty as the global landscape for CBI programs changes dramatically.
Adjacent storm: US and EU Crackdown on CBI programs
On 14 June, a memorandum was signed by US State Secretary Marco Rubio, which set a 60-day time limit for 36 countries, including several CBI programs, which were to meet rigorous veterinarians and information-sharing standards. These standards are designed to address concerns on safety risks and integrity of programs. The deadline ending on August 13, 2025, brings a threat to visa ban for nations that fail to comply. Similarly, the European Union is progressing with the law to suspend the visa-free Schengen access to countries that have weak monitoring, expected to implement a law by September. For many migrants in the UAE, this may mean losing access to one of the main benefits of CBI passports- in many countries. Local media outlets were explained as Sam Bet, founder of Dubai -based Bayet Legal Services Gulf News: “This is an ideal storm, and many passport holders did not see it coming.” Put in international investment migration, Beyatt further emphasized the situation: “People invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in citizenship programs, assuming that it was his ticket for global freedom. Now, they are facing sudden restrictions that can make those passports practically useless. ,
UAE: A hotspot for CBI applications
The effect of these changes is most clear in the United Arab Emirates, where the migrants form about 90% of the population. Beeyat estimates that more than 10,000 applications have been filed from the region in recent years, suggesting that about 30,000 persons may be affected by these new sanctions. This number is based on the notion that each application consists of several family members, making the potential decline sufficient. Among those weakest people are Indian citizens in UAE. Since India does not allow dual citizenship, many individuals acquired other passports, they had to renounce their Indian nationality. In 2023, Henley & Partners’ Private money migration report It was highlighted that 4,300 rich Indians abandoned their citizenship, with several options for CBI programs in Caribbean or other areas while living in the Gulf. An Indian expat, who acquired a St. Lucia Passport in 2022, reported Gulf News: “We said thinking that we are securing our future. Now it seems that everything is up in the air. I am following the developments and hope that it does not come at a point where we are left without real options.” For many people, this is not just a policy change, it is a personal crisis. Says Bayat, “It is a personal crisis for those families who sold property or immersed their second passport to secure their second passport, it is a personal crisis. They may feel betrayal, especially those who abandoned their nationalities. ,
Local agencies under pressure: End of an era?
Local agencies in the Gulf marketed these CBI programs as a low risk, with high-in-inf-investment pressure. Beyat suggests that many of these firms, who built their business models to facilitate the Caribbean passport acquisition, cannot escape the decline. “This may be the end of the road for dozens of firms who built their businesses on the Caribbean passport,” he warns. A 2023 European Commission report expressed concern for Lux to issue “Golden Passport” from several Caribbean states. According to the report, these countries have issued a large number of passports with weak veating procedures, which have attracted the attention of both the US and the European Union. But issues are not limited to Caribbean. The US memorandum also targets Cambodia and Egypt, indicating that the problem is now global. In its light, Beyat argues that “cosmetic changes” in CBI programs would not be sufficient. He asks for “a phased, reliability-first model” to restore confidence in these schemes, warning that CBI programs are being seen as “safety threats” rather than a legitimate development equipment, without meaningful improvement.
Growing changes towards safe options
As the CBI programs face growing investigation, many affected persons are starting to detect more secure and reliable options. For example, UAE’s 10 -year Golden Visa has gained popularity as a stable long -term option. Reed Group Immigration Services Managing Director Red Kamal Ayub points to this change: “We are making a significant change in the citizenship-by-investment scenario. The shift away from off-the-chest passport procurement indicates a step towards more durable and legitimate routes. , The Ayub’s firm has established a help desk to assist the results from these changes, as the rules around the CBI programs develop. He highlights the reliability of programs such as the UAE Golden Visa, which focuses on long -term residence and integration rather than only paying for citizenship. Similarly, numerals-based immigration systems are becoming increasingly popular in countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as nation prioritize the merit and long-term contribution on applicants. Bayat said that the idea of investment migration is not subject to the attack itself, but how it has been misused. He claims: “Citizenship is a sovereign right, but it borres responsibilities for both the issuing state and individual. The message of the US and the European Union is loud and clear – adaptation or closure.”
Bet for CBI countries: Economic and political influence
For those countries who rely too much on the revenue generated from CBI programs, bets may not be high. Nations such as St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica use important infrastructure, income from citizenship sales to fund schools and healthcare. An American visa ban or Schengen suspension will not only destroy their economies, but will also be likely to confuse their population, which cannot fully understand the reasons behind the changes.Emphasizing the need for greater transparency and accountability in CBI programs, Beyet enhanced the situation: “Visa-free access to the UK or Schengen is not a birthright rights; It is a privilege based on the trust. And this belief is rapidly disappearing for countries that continue to operate opaque or external CBI models.” He further says, “Commonwealth relations or previous diplomatic goodwill countries will not protect from enforcement if their citizenship programs fail to meet the modern standards of integrity.,