If you obtain a second passport through a citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) or paper‑residence program, the visa‑free travel you’re used to with a U.S., Canadian, UK, Australian, New Zealand or EU passport will not automatically transfer. Many of the “tier B” passports that are cheap and fast to acquire come with a markedly smaller list of visa‑free destinations. Knowing which countries become harder to reach can be crucial if you ever need to rely solely on that second passport.
Passports that are typically lost
Most CBI and paper‑residence schemes do not preserve visa‑free access to the following English‑speaking, high‑mobility countries:
- Canada
- United States
- New Zealand
- Australia
(You can still travel to these places with a U.S. or other “tier A” passport, but you would lose that option if you relinquish your original citizenship.)
Countries that remain difficult to enter
Even with a new passport, many destinations still require a visa or a residence permit. Below is a practical rundown of the most common hurdles and the work‑arounds that are available.
| Country | Typical visa‑free access with tier B passports | How to gain entry (if not visa‑free) |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | No visa‑free access for most tier B passports | Obtain a Thai visa (≈ $35‑$60, often a day’s processing). The Thai “Elite” visa or an investment‑linked residence can bypass the regular visa. |
| Japan | Restricted | Turkish or Maltese passports (both CBI) allow visa‑free entry. Otherwise a standard visa is required. |
| Mexico | No visa‑free access for most tier B passports | Apply for an e‑visa (online) – airlines may be hesitant to accept it. A residence permit (e.g., property purchase) is a more reliable route. |
| Paraguay | Very restrictive | Turkish or Maltese passports grant entry. Otherwise a permanent residence permit (bank deposit or investment) is needed. |
| Morocco | No visa‑free access for most tier B passports | Turkish or Maltese passports work; otherwise a visa or residence permit is required. |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Limited | Montenegro (CBI) passport provides visa‑free access. Otherwise obtain a residence permit (real‑estate purchase, company formation, professional licensing). |
| South Africa | Recently removed visa‑free entry for many western passports (including New Zealand) | Antigua (CBI) passport offers visa‑free access. Otherwise a visa is needed; note potential tax implications of residence permits. |
| Serbia (improving) | Historically restrictive, now opening to Caribbean CBI passports | Armenian citizenship (by descent) or other CBI passports can now enter visa‑free; otherwise a visa or residence permit applies. |
Other notable visa‑free gains from tier B passports
- Russia – many Caribbean CBI passports (e.g., St. Lucia, Antigua) grant visa‑free entry.
- China – Grenada’s CBI passport and Armenia (by descent) allow visa‑free travel.
- South America – Passports from Antigua, St. Lucia, or other Caribbean programs can provide visa‑free access to countries such as Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and sometimes South Africa.
Practical considerations
- Keep a fallback passport – If you anticipate needing to travel to the “lost” countries (Canada, U.S., NZ, Australia), retaining your original citizenship is the safest hedge.
- Residence permits as a backup – For destinations where a visa‑free entry is unavailable, many countries offer relatively straightforward residence routes (property purchase, bank deposit, business establishment). These can be used for longer stays or repeated visits.
- Choose passports with reciprocal agreements – Turkish, Maltese, and Antiguan passports tend to have the broadest visa‑free networks among the cheaper CBI options.
- Assess travel frequency – If you are unlikely to visit the restricted countries often, the loss of visa‑free access may be acceptable in exchange for the benefits of a second citizenship (tax planning, mobility, safety).
- Future tax and expat pressure – Western governments are increasingly tightening tax reporting and residency requirements. A tier B passport can become a primary travel document if your home country imposes higher taxes or stricter exit controls.
Bottom line
Second passports obtained through investment or paper‑residence schemes expand your options but also shrink the list of countries you can enter without a visa. The most common losses are the major English‑speaking nations (Canada, U.S., New Zealand, Australia). Additional hurdles exist for Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, Morocco, the UAE, South Africa, and Serbia. By selecting passports with broader reciprocal agreements (Turkey, Malta, Antigua) and by securing residence permits where needed, you can mitigate most of these limitations while still enjoying the strategic advantages of a second citizenship.
