Kevin O’Leary, known as ‘Mr. Wonderful,' is a well-known Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and television personality best known for his role on the hit TV show Shark Tank. O’Leary has built a reputation for his sharp business acumen and straightforward approach, so perhaps unsurprisingly, he also holds three passports: Canadian, Irish, and UAE.
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Kevin O’Leary was born in Canada, automatically making him a Canadian citizen. This is called birthright citizenship and is common in countries like Canada and the United States.
O’Leary also holds Irish citizenship, which he acquired through descent. If you have parents or grandparents from Ireland, you can apply for Irish citizenship. In some cases, even great-grandparents’ Irish roots can make you eligible. Other EU countries like Croatia also offer this.
Last year, O’Leary shared that he also has UAE citizenship, making it his third passport. According to Nomad Capitalist, the UAE gives citizenship by exception to people they believe will benefit their economy.
This method is reserved for a select few, often based on their contributions and potential to enhance the UAE's standing. And if you frequent O’Leary’s social media, you know he’s always talking about the UAE and investing in different ventures there, making him an informal ambassador for the country. It seems like a win-win situation for both parties at this point.
Other countries, like Malaysia and Qatar, do similar things by giving citizenship to athletes, celebrities, and investors to boost their economies and social standing.
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Benefits
O’Leary’s different citizenships open up many opportunities for him around the world. He can enjoy unique benefits from each country with Canadian, Irish, and Emirati passports.
Canadian citizenship grants him the right to live and work in Canada, access to Canadian social services, and travel freely to many countries with agreements with Canada.
With an Irish passport, O’Leary can travel freely to all 27 EU countries without a visa for personal vacations and business trips. Hopping on a plane and visiting places like France, Germany, Italy, or Spain without the hassle of applying for entry permits made things much easier for him.
An Irish passport also gives him the right to live and work in any EU country. He can do so without special permission if he decides to move to Paris, set up a base in Berlin, or spend a few months in Lisbon.
The EU is also a massive market with almost 450 million people. Operating within this market without restrictions means Kevin can easily expand his business ventures, establish partnerships, and tap into new customer bases across the continent. Plus, the EU has a unified set of business regulations, simplifying the business process in multiple countries.
One of the biggest advantages of Emirati citizenship is the low tax environment. The UAE has minimal income taxes, which means more of Kevin O’Leary’s earnings stay in his pocket. This tax-friendly setup substantially benefits anyone involved in business or investment.
The UAE is also known for its pro-business policies, such as free trade zones with 100% foreign ownership, no customs duties, and full repatriation of profits. In Kevin’s case, this means fewer regulatory hurdles and a more straightforward path to business success.
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