Being an expert in passport renewal services is less boring than it sounds. David Alwadish, the Founder and CEO of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, certainly knows his way around a DS-82 and DS-11. More tantalizing to the public imagination, he knows how billionaires make their way around the world with ruthless efficiency.
Historically, corporations managed visas and travel compliance for executives. Today, billionaire families increasingly manage passports, visas, residency rights, citizenships, security assessments, geopolitical risk, private aviation logistics, and contingency plans the same way corporations manage multinational employees.
“Billionaires, even multi-millionaires, and millionaires usually have handlers,” Alwadish said. “Handlers make sure that they use companies like us to handle travel logistics. They don’t care what they pay as long as all goes well. We know when our clients are very high level VIPs from the dynamics of their handlers. Their teams are a bit more on edge, sometimes seemingly more dedicated to their employers than to their family. They call with an urge of excitement.
“They’re not new secretaries or personal assistants. These are committed agents and they understand exactly what has to happen and that failure is not an option. That comes through immediately.”
So, what are the tricks that the ultra-wealthy — and their handlers — use to jet-set around the globe at the drop of a hat? Alwadish laid out a few.
They Are Willing To Pay More For Greater Certainty
This is the idea behind “failure is not an option.” When those who can afford to buy concierge passport services do so to arrange travel for their entire family, they’re buying certainty more than speed. Speed matters, but wealthy clients mainly want confidence that the passport, visa, entry rules, and timing are correct. A delayed document can disrupt a business deal, wedding, yacht charter, medical trip, or international event.
“I had a lady come into our office; her husband was the chairman of the board of a major skincare company,” he said. “She asked for our same day passport service, and she didn’t care what the cost was. She spent over $900. I only had one slot a day for a rush passport, and she got it.”
The passport concierge, then, essentially offers an insurance policy.
They Have Citizenship In Multiple Countries
Among ultra-wealthy families, maintaining citizenship in multiple countries is increasingly common. Many maintain multiple citizenships, residencies, or Plan B mobility options for flexibility, tax planning, security, education, and easier access to more destinations. This is another travel insurance policy of sorts.
When fabulously wealthy people sense political or social turmoil in the U.S. or abroad, they actually purchase citizenship from another country. If the wealthy want to look outside the U.S. entirely, certain foreign governments are happy to grant citizenship for investment or cash, for example, in the Caribbean or EU.
“One successful entrepreneur I know spends exactly six months and a day at his estate in Dorado, Puerto Rico, before returning to Connecticut,” Alwadish said. “By establishing residency there, he legally slashes his tax rate to just 3%. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, residents don’t vote in presidential elections, but for the wealthy, the massive tax breaks make it worth it. This island loophole is just one strategy.”
Private Aviation Over Traditional Customs Lines
Ultimately, many among the ultra-wealthy prefer to bypass the standard commercial travel experience entirely. Whenever possible, they avoid traditional Customs lines and security checkpoints by utilizing private aviation and corporate jets. One might occasionally spot a billionaire in commercial first class, but private travel has largely become the standard for this demographic.
Alwadish gave the example of Teterboro Airport, a smaller regional airport in New Jersey, where each general aviation facility (Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Jet Aviation, etc.) all have their own Customs entry facilities.
“Private aircraft flying into that airport have the luxury of their plane taxiing up to the private Customs facility,” he said. “A government Customs officer walks up to the plane to greet the passenger(s), and inspect the plane if necessary. The aircraft door cannot open until a Customs officer arrives. Once checked in, passengers are driven a very short distance to the terminal facility where their limo and driver are waiting.
“Traveling internationally in private jet aircraft is the true luxury of the rich and famous.”
They Know The Small Rules
Travel abroad often enough, and you will learn which countries require passports to be valid 3 to 6 months beyond the trip’s return date. First-time international fliers should research the passport validity requirement of the country you’re traveling to; this requirement ensures that visitors have a valid passport for the duration of their intended stay as well as a buffer period in case of unexpected delays or extensions due to emergencies or other reasons.
As small rules go, this is a common one, but there are more.
“if your passport has torn up pages, water damage, dog bites, or even a missing cover, it may be considered invalid,” Alwadish said. “It is important to inspect a passport for any signs of wear and tear and renew it if necessary, to avoid further issues.”