Best Second Passport for Pakistanis in the UAE (2026): Citizenship Rules and Safer Options

Pakistani passport holders in the UAE face long Schengen and UK visa processes, so a second passport looks attractive. The catch is Pakistani law. This guide explains the dual nationality rule, which popular programmes fall outside it and how a European residence permit gives most of the travel benefit without the risk.

Best Second Passport Options for Pakistanis in the UAE, Ranked

What Pakistani law says about dual nationality

Under the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, a Pakistani citizen who takes another nationality keeps Pakistani citizenship only if that country is on the government’s dual nationality list. In 2025 the National Assembly committee approved an amendment covering 22 countries: the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland, New Zealand, Finland, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Bahrain, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Luxembourg.

Confirm the current list with the Ministry of Interior or NADRA before you apply anywhere, because the list has changed before.

Which second passports are a problem

• Caribbean passports (St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica): not on the list reported in 2025.
• Turkey: not on the list; a draft agreement was reported as under review in 2025. See Turkish citizenship by investment for Pakistanis.
• Argentina: not on the list.
• Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Malta: not on the list, so citizenship there would also be a problem, but their residence permits are not.

If a programme is not on the list, taking its citizenship can mean losing Pakistani citizenship, with knock on effects for property, inheritance and travel to Pakistan.

Why European residency works for Pakistani citizens

A residence permit is permission to live in a country, not a nationality, so the dual nationality rule does not apply. A residence card from a Schengen country lets you visit the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180. You keep travelling to Pakistan and the UAE on your Pakistani passport as before. You still need UK and US visas.

What to check before you invest

• Source of funds. Keep bank statements, salary letters, business accounts and property sale papers ready. Funds held in the UAE are usually the simplest to document.
• Security checks. All programmes screen applicants. A clean travel and visa history helps.
• Fingerprint trips. Greece and Hungary need you to travel there in person. Pakistani passport holders need a visa for that trip, which we arrange from Dubai.
• Long term plans. If you want a passport later, Italy is the route that fits Pakistan’s list best, but it needs real residence in Italy.

How Visa Doctor helps

Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone). We are not a government authorised agent for any programme and we do not sell property or fund units. We check your nationality position and documents, explain real costs, arrange the visas you need for fingerprint trips and connect you with an independent lawyer or licensed agent. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and last check

Checked on 5 November 2026. Sources: reporting on the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill by Gulf News and The Express Tribune; the Greek government procedures portal; the Hungarian immigration authority; the Investor Visa for Italy platform; Residency Malta. This is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.