The idea of a “Plan B” in global mobility is being redefined in 2026. What was once a high-cost, single-programme decision is increasingly becoming a more calculated, cost-efficient strategy built across multiple jurisdictions.
We are seeing a clear shift: high-net-worth individuals are no longer chasing the most prestigious option - they are more focused on achieving maximum flexibility and creating opportunities for themselves and their families.
What this means in practice is that clients are structuring mobility in layers – combining programmes across jurisdictions to balance immediate access with longer-term positioning.
The single-solution mindset is giving way to something more deliberate and more effective.
Why Clients Are Thinking Differently
What we’re seeing is a sharper focus on value — clients want more from their investment, and they’re restructuring their strategies accordingly. Increasingly, they are moving away from the single-programme approach, recognising that a combination of programmes can better address their needs, deliver stronger outcomes, and provide the diversification their situation demands.
The external environment is reinforcing this shift. The geopolitical landscape is moving in ways that are difficult to predict, and the immigration industry is feeling it directly. In our experience, programmes evolve rapidly — costs change, due diligence requirements tighten, and timelines shift.
But with change comes opportunity. What we’re seeing is that high-net-worth individuals are using this moment to take a more strategic approach — fundamentally rethinking how they structure their Plan Bs and, more importantly, how they position their families for long-term security and optionality.
The New Logic of Global Mobility
A growing number of clients are turning to more accessible citizenship options – jurisdictions such as Vanuatu, Nauru, and São Tomé and Príncipe are gaining attention because they offer relatively low financial thresholds and efficient processing. While these passports do not compete with top-tier travel documents, they serve a very clear purpose: immediate mobility and optionality.
Alongside this, Latvia has emerged as a compelling European residency option. Its lower entry threshold and flexible investment routes distinguish it from more crowded or increasingly restrictive programmes elsewhere in Europe. Importantly, it still provides access to the EU and Schengen Area - which, for many clients, is the core objective for themselves and their families.
In our experience, clients are no longer evaluating these programmes in isolation. What we are seeing is a deliberate move toward combining solutions – securing a second passport through lower-cost jurisdictions such as Vanuatu, Nauru, or São Tomé, while simultaneously obtaining European residency, most notably through Latvia’s Golden Visa framework. This approach allows them to unlock immediate travel freedom while establishing a foothold in Europe.
What is particularly telling is how clients now view citizenship timelines. Latvia’s path to citizenship is relatively long, and historically, this would have been a concern. Today, many clients are indifferent to that timeline. They are not relying on Latvia for a passport - they are using it for access, presence, and diversification.
The second passport delivers immediate travel freedom and a fast, accessible Plan B. The European residency allows stability and regional access. Together, they create a more balanced and cost-effective outcome.
The Bigger Picture
The market is maturing – and clients are evolving with it. What we’re seeing is a clear shift toward smarter, more layered mobility strategies, where a single passport or residency is no longer the end goal, but one piece of a broader, more deliberate plan.
Clients are allocating capital with greater precision than ever before, and their expectations have risen accordingly. They want solutions that are both efficient and flexible – built to adapt as their circumstances evolve, not lock them into a structure that made sense five years ago but may not today.
The rise of the low-cost Plan B is a direct response to this shift. It is not about lowering ambition - it is about refining strategy. Those who recognise this change early will be better positioned to navigate an environment where optionality, speed, and cost control are no longer trade-offs, but expectations.