The UAE has emerged as a melting pot for diverse businesses, attracting entrepreneurs and enterprises from all corners of the world.
The dynamic hub’s strategic location, business-friendly policies and modern infrastructure have fostered an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
In addition, the UAE’s open economy and free zones offer numerous incentives, including 100 per cent foreign ownership, tax exemptions and streamlined regulations, making it an ideal destination for international companies seeking to establish a presence in the Middle East.
World's most powerful passports – in pictures
It is no surprise that in this increasingly interconnected and globalised world, businesses and entrepreneurs in the UAE are constantly seeking to expand their reach and seize international opportunities.
One way of doing this is using the UAE’s position as a travel hub to visit other countries for conferences and further networking.
Unfortunately, not all passports carry the same level of strength.
For those with passports that need to obtain a visa to certain countries, the traditional application process can present significant hurdles that hinder the mobility and growth potential of people and their companies, leading to time-consuming delays and additional costs.
This is where obtaining a second passport can be a game-changer, offering businesspeople in the UAE greater freedom of movement and enhancing their company’s global branding.
Here are a few more reasons why getting a second passport can help to bring you and your business to new heights.
Global mobility and business opportunities
Global mobility is the cornerstone of modern businesses. Entrepreneurs and business leaders are constantly on the lookout for potential markets, partnerships and investment opportunities across borders.
A second passport can significantly enhance their ability to travel seamlessly to foreign countries, opening up new horizons and expanding business networks beyond domestic borders.
With greater mobility, entrepreneurs can attend international conferences, negotiate deals and explore untapped markets, ultimately leading to increased business growth and success.
Overcoming visa hurdles
The traditional visa application process can be lengthy, uncertain and burdensome, often requiring people to undergo rigorous background checks and provide extensive documentation.
Delays in visa approvals can lead to missed business opportunities, affecting a company's reputation and hindering its expansion plans.
Having a second passport can alleviate these challenges by providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to numerous countries.
This newfound freedom can save valuable time and resources, enabling businesspeople to focus on their core objectives and seize opportunities promptly.
Strengthening global branding
In the global business landscape, reputation and branding are critical.
A second passport from a country known for its strong international standing can positively affect a business's image.
It reflects that the businessperson is a global citizen with ties to multiple jurisdictions, fostering trust among potential partners and clients worldwide.
As businesses increasingly operate across borders, having strong global branding is an invaluable asset that can lead to increased credibility and, consequently, more opportunities.
Diversification and risk management
In an unpredictable geopolitical climate, having a second passport can act as a form of insurance against unforeseen risks.
It provides a safety net in case of political instability, economic downturns or sudden changes in visa regulations in the home country.
Diversifying citizenship can offer entrepreneurs and their families greater security and flexibility, ensuring that their businesses can continue to thrive regardless of external challenges.
Access to favourable business jurisdictions
Some countries offer unique business advantages, such as favourable tax regimes, business-friendly regulations and access to global financial markets.
By obtaining a second passport from one of these jurisdictions, entrepreneurs can tap into these benefits and optimise their business operations.
Moreover, having a presence in several countries can facilitate cross-border transactions and help businesses to avoid excessive bureaucracy and red tape in certain regions.
Cultivating a global mindset
In 2023, the business landscape demands adaptability, agility and a global mindset.
Furthermore, having a global mindset is crucial in the current business landscape and a second passport can create a powerful synergistic effect, leading to exponential growth and international success.
However, it is crucial to note that the process of obtaining a second passport is subject to various legal and regulatory considerations.
Engaging with experienced immigration professionals and legal advisers is vital to navigate the complexities involved and ensure a smooth and lawful transition.
With careful planning and the right strategies, a second passport can become a catalyst for unparalleled opportunities.
Veronica Cotdemiey is chief executive of Citizenship Invest
Maestro
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Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
LAST 16
SEEDS
Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Valencia, Juventus
PLUS
Real Madrid, Tottenham, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Chelsea
