Latest news with #ThePassportIndex
Time Business News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Africa's Travel Challenge: The Cost of Limited Passport Power
VANCOUVER, B.C. — In a world increasingly defined by international mobility, digital identity, and cross-border commerce, passport inequality remains one of the most entrenched and overlooked global injustices. While some travellers can hop across continents visa-free, others—especially those from African nations—are burdened by long application queues, heavy documentation requirements, and frequent rejections. Amicus International Consulting has observed a growing number of African clients seeking legal identity transformations, second citizenships, and lawful mobility strategies to bypass this global divide. The firm argues that limited passport power is not just a travel inconvenience—it's a barrier to education, opportunity, asylum, and safety. This press release explores the systemic causes of Africa's passport disadvantage, the political and legal consequences, and how some individuals are finding ethical ways to overcome them. The Passport Index: Africa's Ranking in 2025 In 2025, passport power is more algorithmic than ever, shaped by real-time geopolitical shifts and reciprocal agreements. According to several international mobility indices, the strongest passports in Africa (such as Seychelles and Mauritius) allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 150 countries. However, the average African passport provides access to only 58 countries, most of which are located within Africa or small Caribbean and Pacific states. Sample Passport Power in 2025: Nigerian passport : Access to 46 countries : Access to 46 countries Ghanaian passport : 64 countries : 64 countries Kenyan passport : 71 countries : 71 countries Egyptian passport : 56 countries : 56 countries Sudanese passport : 39 countries : 39 countries Somali passport: 34 countries By contrast: Japanese passport : 194 countries : 194 countries German passport : 191 countries : 191 countries Canadian passport: 189 countries This disparity extends beyond mere numbers—it has real-world consequences for mobility, trade, emergency evacuation, and even legal asylum. Case Study: An Entrepreneur from Lagos Denied Global Access In 2024, a Nigerian tech founder sought to expand operations into Europe and Asia. Despite a thriving app with over 500,000 users, he was denied business visas to Germany, Singapore, and the U.K., each citing vague concerns or unmet documentation standards. Frustrated and delayed by red tape, he contacted Amicus International Consulting. Through ancestral eligibility and a legal route via a Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program, he secured a second passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis. Within months, his business prospects expanded globally, including access to startup accelerators in Estonia and partnerships in Canada. The Colonial Legacy of Passport Inequality Africa's passport challenges are not accidental—they are rooted in colonial history, political instability, and global perceptions of risk. Many Western nations treat African passports as high-risk due to: This creates a vicious cycle: the fewer doors a passport opens, the more difficult it becomes to prove one's legitimacy as a traveller. Even African elites, scholars, and professionals face suspicion. The Human Cost of Limited Mobility The impact of limited passport power is profound: Medical Emergencies : Families cannot travel quickly to secure life-saving care. : Families cannot travel quickly to secure life-saving care. Academic Delay : Students often lose scholarships or research opportunities due to visa delays. : Students often lose scholarships or research opportunities due to visa delays. Business Losses : Entrepreneurs are locked out of international trade events and capital. : Entrepreneurs are locked out of international trade events and capital. Asylum Barriers : Refugees from conflict zones are denied safe routes. : Refugees from conflict zones are denied safe routes. Family Separation: Relatives are blocked from visiting or reuniting due to unclear visa processes. Case Study: Sudanese Doctor Denied Humanitarian Access In 2023, during the height of the Sudan conflict, a young doctor received an invitation to speak at a humanitarian medicine summit in Geneva. Despite securing sponsorship and proof of return, the Swiss authorities denied his visa request. The reason? His Sudanese passport raised red flags under automated consular screening protocols. Amicus collaborated with partners to secure residency in the Caribbean legally, providing safer travel options for future humanitarian missions. Countries Offering African Citizens Legal Second Citizenship Several countries offer second citizenship through ancestry, investment, or residency, providing a legal solution to the injustice of mobility. These include: Saint Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Antigua – CBI programs with visa-free EU access – CBI programs with visa-free EU access Turkey – Real estate investment programs – Real estate investment programs Grenada – Offers access to China and an E-2 visa treaty with the U.S. – Offers access to China and an E-2 visa treaty with the U.S. Ireland and Portugal – Ancestor and residency-based pathways – Ancestor and residency-based pathways Vanuatu – Fast-track processing for business mobility Amicus International Consulting provides expert analysis of eligibility, risk, and regulatory compliance for African clients exploring these options. Legal Alternatives to Overcome Passport Limitations 1. Dual Citizenship Acquisition Using lawful programs for investment or ancestry to obtain a second passport. 2. Residency in Non-Extradition Jurisdictions Residency-by-investment programs in countries less hostile to African travellers offer more flexibility. 3. Name and Nationality Changes In countries where permitted, one can legally change one's name and country of origin to access broader travel rights. 4. Amicus Pre-Travel Vetting A custom risk report that flags which countries are likely to deny visas or impose scrutiny. A Growing Client Base: Africa's Emerging Middle Class Amicus has witnessed a 20% year-over-year increase in consultations from African nationals, especially: Tech entrepreneurs Artists and musicians NGO workers Exiled journalists Wealthy families in conflict zones Diaspora returnees seeking safer routes These individuals often don't seek to abandon their country—they want to move freely, conduct business, access healthcare, and protect their family without prejudice. Case Study: Ghanaian Musician Banned in France A popular Ghanaian performer was scheduled to tour across Europe in early 2025. After performing in Spain, he was denied entry at Charles de Gaulle Airport and banned from the Schengen Zone for three years. The ban stemmed from a visa stamp discrepancy in his passport dating back five years. Amicus successfully assisted him in acquiring Grenadian citizenship, thereby restoring his ability to travel to Europe and protecting his livelihood. Diplomatic and Political Solutions: The Long Road In 2023, the African Union began lobbying for the adoption of continental e-passports and visa-free regional blocs, but implementation has been slow. The challenge is not just issuing better documents—it's changing the global narrative around African travel. Countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, and Mauritius have taken steps to liberalize their visa regimes, setting an example for broader reform. Yet many African passports are still at the mercy of perception, not performance. Digital Surveillance and Border Profiling In 2025, even when a passport is technically valid, it's your metadata, not just your document, that determines border access: Visa algorithms reject applications without human review AI profiles travel behaviour and denies based on associations Facial recognition systems fail on African biometric inputs Over-scrutinized travel routes trigger alerts For African travellers, the result is often a status of being guilty until proven innocent at borders. Amicus International: A Legal Identity Partner for African Clients Amicus International offers: Second citizenship guidance tailored for African clients tailored for African clients Pre-mobility risk assessments to avoid entry refusals to avoid entry refusals Legal relocation and strategic residency options Visa consultation and preparation services Protection for politically exposed persons (PEPs) Clients retain complete control over their identity decisions. Amicus ensures compliance with international law and ethical standards. Conclusion: The Right to Travel Is Not a Luxury For many African citizens, the global passport hierarchy is more than inconvenient—it is a systemic exclusion from the benefits of globalization. Amicus believes that mobility is a human right, and one's place of birth should not dictate it. Through ethical legal identity change, second citizenship, and strategic consulting, African individuals and families can unlock new horizons. The barriers may be invisible, but with the proper support, they are not insurmountable. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
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Business Standard
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
EU bans Malta's golden passport scheme: What's next for rich investors?
Malta's 'golden passports' programme for wealthy investors breaches European Union citizenship rules, the bloc's top court ruled on April 30, 2025, in a case that has drawn international attention at a time when President Donald Trump is pushing to attract affluent foreigners to the United States. The island nation's offer — which granted nationality to investors such as Russian and Middle Eastern tycoons, celebrities and sports figures — has been ruled illegal, the EU Court of Justice said. An EU member state 'cannot grant its nationality – and indeed European citizenship – in exchange for predetermined payments or investments, as this essentially amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction,' the Luxembourg-based court said. Supporting the decision, Rahim Lakhani, CEO of TLG Global, told Business Standard, 'Ethically, the scheme raised issues related to money laundering, corruption, and security risks, especially after revelations that individuals with limited ties to Malta obtained citizenship, potentially compromising the integrity of EU citizenship.' 'EU citizenship should be earned through genuine ties—not purchased,' Lakhani said. TLG Global offers financial advisory, including those related to golden visas. Growing scrutiny across Europe Malta's investor citizenship programme had allowed individuals to acquire citizenship by making a minimum donation of €600,000 ($684,400), purchasing property, and making voluntary contributions. As Malta is an EU member, the passport offers the right to live and work across all 27 member states. Malta's government defended its scheme in a statement, saying it "takes pride in the wealth generated through this framework over recent years, which enabled the establishment of a national fund for investment and savings to address the needs of both present and future generations." It said the programme had generated over €1.4 billion since 2015, supporting social initiatives such as: Public housing projects Sports facilities development Healthcare improvements Applicants also contributed over €10 million in philanthropic donations, the government said. Malta is among a handful of European countries that offered golden passports or visas, particularly popular during the European debt crisis. Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Hungary had launched similar schemes, granting residence or nationality to wealthy applicants in return for investment. However, the European Commission has warned that such programmes pose security and money-laundering risks. The ruling particularly targets schemes in Malta, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, which had offered similar citizenship-by-investment programmes. 'The recent ruling marks a significant and, we argue, a regressive development in the EU's approach to mobility rights and the responsibilities tied to citizenship,' said Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and co-founder of The Passport Index. 'While it directly addresses specific schemes in Malta, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, the decision has broader implications for how member states align their national frameworks with shared EU standards on residency,' Arton told Business Standard. Impact on countries relying on such programmes 'For countries that had relied on such programmes to attract foreign investment—particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery—the ruling may prompt a reconsideration of how best to engage international capital in a manner that balances domestic priorities with evolving regulatory expectations,' said Arton. He added that the distinction between residency and citizenship is likely to receive greater focus. Residency-for-investment schemes, often referred to as golden visas, remain legal under EU law. These schemes provide residency—not immediate citizenship—in return for investments. Examples of available programmes include: Portugal: minimum investment in innovation or cultural funds, moving away from real estate Greece: €250,000 investment in real estate Spain: €500,000 investment in property Other countries offering residency options are Italy, France, Hungary, and Latvia, with varying qualifying routes such as investment funds, business creation, or real estate purchase. Vinay Kumar, Head of Estate and Succession Planning at Client Associates, explained, "For instance, Greece offers residency permits for real estate investments starting at €250,000, and Portugal provides residency through investments in funds or job creation initiatives. These programmes grant residency rights, which can lead to citizenship over time, subject to meeting specific criteria." Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, said, "While the direct route to EU citizenship via 'chequebook schemes' is closing, residency-by-investment remains a strong and legal alternative. Indian HNIs are increasingly shifting to this 'pathway model'—a slower but more legitimate route that aligns with global regulatory shifts." Singh added that this approach allows investors more time to build genuine ties with their chosen destinations. Risks and shifts in investor interest While golden visas remain an option, the appeal of non-EU citizenship-by-investment programmes may grow. Countries like Turkey and several Caribbean nations such as Dominica, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis offer citizenship through investment. However, Lakhani warned, "These programmes lack Schengen benefits and are facing growing scrutiny. EU residency options like Latvia's offer more stability than non-EU citizenship programmes." He added that the EU has pressured Caribbean nations to raise investment thresholds and tighten due diligence to prevent misuse. Shifting preferences among high-net-worth individuals "Findings from our Affluence and Elections Survey conducted around the recent German Federal Election revealed that 11% of surveyed millionaires expressed interest in relocating to the UAE," said Arton. Singh noted that interest among Indian clients is shifting toward Caribbean citizenships, offering visa-free access to over 140 countries. "For Indian investors, especially those looking for global mobility, tax optimisation, and business expansion, these countries now offer a 'Plan B passport' that retains appeal in a post-EU-golden-passport era," Singh said. Future of investment migration According to Kumar, "Governments are increasingly aligning their policies with EU standards to address concerns over security, corruption, and transparency. This includes enhancing due diligence processes, limiting or abolishing citizenship-by-investment programmes, and focusing on residency schemes that require genuine economic contributions and integration." Singh pointed out, "The future of investment migration is evolving from transactional to transformational. Strategic integration—building businesses, contributing to economies, and becoming part of communities—is the way forward." Despite these developments, Kumar said, "Phasing out of investment migration schemes seems far-fetched as these programmes have significant contributions to economies of the countries that run such programmes." US pushes its own residency offer Meanwhile, in the United States, President Donald Trump has been promoting the so-called Trump Gold Card, offering a path to residency and citizenship for investors willing to pay $5 million to the US Treasury. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that more than 1,000 visas were sold in a single day in March through the programme.
