Antigua and Barbuda could lose visa-free access to the Schengen Area by the end of 2026 due to the European Union’s concerns about its citizenship-by-investment program, said Prime Minister Gaston Brown. According to him, Brussels has warned of a possible revocation of visa privileges if the EU’s security concerns regarding the program are not addressed.
This refers to the Citizenship by Investment Program—a scheme under which foreign investors can obtain citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through a fee or investment. For purchasers of such passports, mobility remains the key commercial benefit: the country’s passport currently allows for short-term visa-free entry into the Schengen Area.
Brown made it clear, however, that the government does not intend to shut down the citizenship-by-investment program, even under pressure from the EU. For Antigua and Barbuda, it remains an important source of non-tax revenue and a tool for financing development. The authorities hope to convince the European side that additional electronic travel monitoring could serve as an alternative to a full-fledged visa regime.
Pressure on Caribbean programs has intensified following the reform of the EU’s visa mechanism. In October 2025, the European Parliament supported an update to the rules that allows for the faster suspension of visa-free travel for countries that pose security risks or violate the conditions of visa liberalization. “Golden passport” schemes effectively fall into a separate category of such risks.
In its eighth report on the visa suspension mechanism, the European Commission explicitly stated that citizenship-by-investment programs in visa-free countries pose a “non-zero risk” to the Schengen Area. Although countries in the Eastern Caribbean have already raised the minimum investment threshold to $200,000 and tightened applicant screening, Brussels considers the situation problematic.
This is a warning sign for the investment migration market. Vanuatu has already become the first country to lose visa-free access to the EU due to “golden passports”: the European Union permanently revoked the visa-free travel agreement with this Pacific nation in December 2024, following a previous suspension of the arrangement in 2022.
Antigua and Barbuda has already faced similar pressure from the United States. In early 2026, Washington suspended visa services for the country’s citizens, citing concerns that the citizenship-by-investment program could be exploited by criminal organizations to gain access to the U.S.
If the EU does indeed impose visa requirements, the value of an Antigua and Barbuda passport for foreign investors will plummet. For small island economies in the Caribbean, this could mean not only a drop in demand for CBI programs but also a reevaluation of the entire model of attracting capital through the sale of citizenship.
For investors, the conclusion is becoming increasingly clear: a “golden passport” without sustainable visa-free access to the EU is transforming from a tool for mobility into a much riskier asset. European policy is gradually shifting from tolerance of investment citizenship to direct control and the possible revocation of visa benefits.
Antigua and Barbuda, EU, golden passport, INVESTMENT, VISA-FREE TRAVEL
Thailand is considering reducing the visa-free stay period from 60 to 30 days for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and 91 other countries, according to local media reports. The initiative is explained by the desire to close loopholes in the visa regime and reduce cases of abuse, including when visa-free entry is used for non-tourist purposes.
Under current rules, citizens of 93 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, with the possibility of extending their stay. This regime has been extended and has been in effect since July 15, 2024.
The Thai authorities have publicly stated that there have been cases of abuse of visa concessions and that the relevant committee must evaluate the measures and possible adjustments. As of February 11, 2026, there is no official decision on the transfer of visa-free travel to 30 days in the government announcement.
If the period is indeed reduced to 30 days for the entire list, this will also affect Ukrainian citizens.
Source: https://open4business.com.ua/tayiland-mozhe-posylyty-pravyla-bezvizovogo-perebuvannya/
Vietnam has significantly expanded its visa-free regime, adding 12 European countries to the list of countries whose citizens can stay in the country for up to 45 days without a visa. This is valid from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028, and covers EU countries such as Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, and others that have joined the existing list, which includes France, Japan, the UK, and others.
This has signaled a revival in the resort real estate market: tourists with long visa-free periods and high incomes have become actively interested in buying villas, apartments, and condo hotels, especially in tourist areas. The Vietnam Association of Real Estate Agents (VARS) notes an increase in demand and a steady recovery in the sector.
The foreign population in the country is small but diverse:
Real estate purchase prices (per square meter):
Rental prices (per month):
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has abolished the visa-free travel with Russia from July 1, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
“We are finally breaking ties with Russia. To counter the unprecedented threats to national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, the government, in pursuance of the order of the President of Ukraine, has just decided to terminate the visa-free agreement with the Russian Federation,” Shmyhal said on the Telegram channel on Friday.
According to him, from July 1, 2022, Russians will not be able to enter Ukraine without obtaining a visa.
