Recorded on March 2nd 2026
This week’s episode starts off quite unlike one we have experienced before in the 10 years of this podcast series!
We speak again with our guest, Sam Bayat, who joins us from Dubai, a city that, just merely hours ago, was under missile alerts and explosions. Sam talks about his experience of a weekend of regional conflicts, and the city’s poise in the face of a disaster.
But the question, of course, comes up: in today’s world, when does a second passport stop being a luxury and become a necessity?
We talk about the UAE’s golden visa, how the Government of Dubai managed to maintain order and the implications of this situation for investor confidence in the region. How is Sam’s second office in Tehran managing? Which countries are open for Iranian people? Sam stresses the point that if you only have a passport of one country, you’re always at the mercy of things beyond your control.
This is a first-person account of the Gulf’s conflict, and a direct discussion about the implications of passport diversification in 2026.
“My message to clients in general is don’t act out of panic and also don’t wait for everything to resolve by itself. Explore both solid regional residency programs, for example, the UAE Golden Visa, and where possible a second citizenship that is actually accessible to you. And of course, if you do apply for second citizenship, this is not a betrayal of your country of origin but to protect your family until the situation becomes better.”
— Sam Bayat
Sam Bayat
In 1993, Mr. Sam Bayat established a boutique law practice in Dubai to promote Canada as a preferred destination for investment and migration. The firm, initially known as “Canadian Legal Services,” marked the first Canadian law firm in the GCC. In 2007, the firm name was changed to Bayat Legal Services. Today, Bayat Group boasts a global presence. The primary areas of expertise encompass corporate migration, economic citizenship, investments, and tax planning. Mr. Bayat has also served as the former president of the Canadian Bar Association’s International Section in Quebec.
In addition, check out our previous podcasts with Sam Bayat here!