Part 1 — What Changed in 2025–2026
Second passports from the Caribbean and the Pacific remain popular, but their value now depends heavily on travel access, and that access has been narrowing:
- The United Kingdom imposed a visa requirement on St Lucian nationals on 5 March 2026, citing concerns about the country's citizenship-by-investment programme. Dominica and Vanuatu had already lost visa-free access to the UK in 2023.
- The EU suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu passport holders.
- In December 2025, the European Commission warned that operating a citizenship-by-investment programme can by itself justify suspending a country's visa-free access to the Schengen area.
- In late 2025, the United States tightened visa processing for nationals of several Caribbean citizenship-by-investment countries.
- In April 2025, the EU Court of Justice ruled that Malta's citizenship-by-investment programme breached EU law, closing the last route to an EU passport through investment.
The practical lesson: a passport is a backup and a mobility tool, but the residence permit is what lets you live, open bank accounts and build a business. Plan both together.
Part 2 — Where We Focus: Residency
While we advise across many jurisdictions, these are the residency routes we handle most often — and where we have our own offices or deep local experience.
Malaysia and Labuan
Malaysia offers several routes for foreigners: the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme for long-term residence, restructured in 2024 into tiered options, and the DE Rantau pass for digital nomads and remote workers. For entrepreneurs, a Labuan company with real substance can sponsor work permits for expatriate directors and staff — combining a 3% tax regime for trading activity with a practical route to living in Malaysia. Our administration office is in Labuan.
Latvia
Latvia grants residence permits to non-EU investors who put capital into a Latvian company. Since 15 September 2026 the real estate and bank deposit routes have closed and the business-investment permit has been shortened to two years, renewable. A Latvian residence permit gives you the right to live in an EU and Schengen state, with a path to permanent residence. Latvia also offers residence through employment and a start-up route, and pairs well with a Latvian company or licensed business.
Estonia
Estonia has no golden visa, and e-Residency — the digital identity that lets you run an Estonian company online — is not a residence permit. Residence comes through entrepreneurship, Estonia's start-up visa, employment or its digital nomad visa. For founders already running an Estonian company, these are the natural routes.
Lithuania
Lithuania grants temporary residence permits to entrepreneurs and investors who set up and run a Lithuanian business, as well as through its start-up visa and employment routes. It suits founders building a company in Lithuania's fintech sector.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers permanent residency by investment from EUR 300,000, along with residence through employment, the digital nomad visa, the EU Blue Card and a start-up visa. Cyprus is an EU member, though not in the Schengen area. Many international groups use Cyprus residence alongside a Cyprus company.
Mauritius
Mauritius offers residence through an Occupation Permit for professionals and investors — the professional category requires a minimum monthly salary of MUR 50,000 — through the Premium Visa for remote workers, and through property purchase in approved schemes. Mauritius has no capital gains tax or inheritance tax, and our representative office is in Port Louis.
Which route fits your family and business?
Tell us your nationality, where you want to live and whether you'll run a company. We'll suggest the residency route, a passport option if it makes sense, and how they fit with your structure.
Part 3 — Second Passports We Arrange
St Kitts and Nevis
The world's oldest citizenship-by-investment programme, from a USD 250,000 contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution fund. It remains the Caribbean passport with the strongest travel access, though the EU is reviewing all citizenship-by-investment countries. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
St Lucia
From a USD 240,000 contribution to the National Economic Fund, covering a main applicant and up to three dependants, or a refundable government bond route. Since 5 March 2026, St Lucian passport holders need a visa to visit the United Kingdom. St Lucia citizenship.
Vanuatu
The fastest programme, with processing typically in 2–3 months. Visa-free travel to the EU has been suspended and the UK requires a visa, so Vanuatu suits applicants who value speed and a backup passport over European travel access. Vanuatu citizenship.
Other popular options
We can also advise on or introduce other programmes, including Grenada — popular because its citizens can apply for the US E-2 investor visa — and the UAE Golden Visa, a 10-year renewable residence for property investors and entrepreneurs.
Part 4 — Passport or Residency: How to Choose
- If you need to live, work and bank somewhere stable: start with residency — Latvia, Cyprus, Lithuania or Estonia for the EU; Malaysia or Mauritius for Asia and Africa.
- If you need a backup travel document quickly: a Caribbean or Pacific passport, chosen for the travel access you actually need.
- If you run an international business: pair residency with a company in the same country — it makes banking, tax residence and substance far simpler.
- Check travel access at the time you apply. It is changing faster than ever.
Part 5 — Tax Residence Is Separate
A new passport does not change where you pay tax. Tax residence usually depends on where you live and spend your time, and many countries tax on residence rather than citizenship. Plan residency, tax residence and company structure together, and take tax advice in both your current and your new country.
Frequently asked questions
Among the programmes we arrange, Vanuatu and St Lucia have the lowest entry points, but both have lost visa-free access to the UK, and Vanuatu has lost it to the EU. The cheapest passport is not always the most useful one; check the travel access you need first.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice. Programme rules, investment amounts and visa-free access change frequently. Verify current requirements with the relevant authority before applying. Last updated: 13 October 2026.