Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 4 November 2026 · 9 minute read
A second passport is no longer a luxury for the very rich. For a lot of families living in the UAE and across the GCC, it is the most practical fix for visa queues, travel limits and having no real Plan B.
This guide covers every legal route, what each one really costs in 2026, and the changes you need to know about before you spend a dirham.
Why GCC residents are getting second passports
Most expats in the Gulf live on residence visas tied to a job or a business. That works until it doesn't. The common reasons we hear:
- Travel friction. Many nationalities need a visa for Schengen, the UK or the US. That means appointments, bank statements and the risk of refusal every single trip.
- A Plan B for the family. Residency in the UAE ends when the visa ends. A second citizenship is permanent and passes to your children.
- Business access. Some passports open banking, company formation or investor visas, such as the US E-2, that your current one does not.
- Retirement options. A second citizenship or EU residency gives you somewhere to go when you leave the Gulf.
The three ways to get a second passport
1. Citizenship by investment (passport in months)
You make a government-approved donation or investment and receive citizenship, usually within 3 to 6 months. There is no requirement to live in the country.
| Country | Starting cost | Typical time | Visa-free destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| São Tomé and Príncipe | $90,000 | About 5 months | 93 (mostly visa on arrival) |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | 2 to 3 months | About 92 |
| Dominica | $200,000 | 3 to 6 months | 145 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | $230,000 | 4 to 6 months | 154 |
| Grenada | $235,000 | 2 to 5 months | 147 |
| St Lucia | $240,000 | 4 to 6 months | 147 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | 3 to 4 months | 155 |
| Turkey | $400,000 | 6 to 12 months | 114 |
Starting costs exclude government, due diligence and professional fees, which usually add $20,000 to $60,000 depending on family size. See our full breakdown of the cheapest citizenship by investment programmes.
2. Residency by investment (EU passport in years)
Golden visas in Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and others give you EU residency quickly. The passport comes later, through normal naturalisation, and that now takes 5 to 10 years with real time spent in the country. Read golden visa vs citizenship by investment to see which one fits.
3. Ancestry or marriage
If a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal or several other countries, you may already qualify for citizenship by descent. It is worth checking before you pay for anything.
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What changed in 2026
This year has been the busiest for rule changes in a decade. The big ones:
- The EU has asked the five Caribbean programmes to close by June 2028. The five governments were given until 12 November 2026 to respond. Today their passports still give visa-free Schengen access. Our 2028 deadline explainer covers what that means.
- The US restricted visas for Antigua and Dominica nationals from 1 January 2026, citing their citizenship programmes.
- The UK now requires visas for Dominica, Vanuatu and, since March 2026, St Lucia passport holders.
- Portugal doubled its citizenship timeline to 10 years for most nationalities. Here is the detail.
None of this means second passports have stopped working. It means the choice of country matters more than ever.
How to choose
Start with what you need the passport to do, then work back to the country:
- Need Schengen and UK access now? St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Antigua still offer both.
- Need the lowest cost? São Tomé and Príncipe or Vanuatu, but accept weaker travel access.
- Want to live in Europe? A golden visa, and plan for a long road to the passport.
- Want to do business in the US? Grenada or Turkey, both of which give access to the US E-2 investor visa.
The process, step by step
- Eligibility check. Your nationality, criminal record and source of funds decide which programmes will accept you.
- Documents. Passports, birth and marriage certificates, police clearances, medicals and proof of where your money came from. Use our citizenship by investment document checklist.
- Due diligence. Government checks take most of the processing time. Caribbean programmes now also require an interview.
- Approval in principle. You make the investment or donation only once you are approved.
- Oath and passport. Certificates and passports are issued, often within weeks of payment.
The bottom line
A second passport is a long-term asset for your family, so pick it on what it will do for you in five and ten years, not just on price. The cheapest option is rarely the best value if it does not get you where you need to go.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a second passport without living in the country?
Yes. Caribbean programmes, Vanuatu, São Tomé and Príncipe and Turkey grant citizenship with no requirement to move there. EU routes are different: you get residency first and must actually live there to qualify for the passport later.
What is the fastest way to get a second passport?
Vanuatu and São Tomé and Príncipe can take around 2 to 5 months. The Caribbean programmes typically take 3 to 6 months, and St Kitts and Nevis offers a fast-track option.
Is buying a second passport legal?
Yes. Citizenship by investment is written into the national law of each country that offers it. You pass government due diligence checks, make an approved investment or donation, and receive the same citizenship as anyone else.
Will I lose my current citizenship?
That depends on your home country, not the new one. India, China and some others do not allow dual citizenship, so check your own country's rules before you apply.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Programme rules change often, so confirm the current position before you act.