106 UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE
INVESTOR STORY
" I WAS FINALLY FREE TO DO WHAT I WANTED "
BY SALMAN SIDDIQUI , STAFF WRITER
Russian native Gleb Igolkin got approved for a passport in St . Kitts and Nevis in three months and now works as a global entrepreneur .
Imagine you were born in Russia with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur who could work anywhere around the world using a powerful passport . But such ambitions hit a snag when you are confronted with the reality that your home country ’ s documents won ’ t get you far , especially with international sanctions and politics that have nothing to do with you personally . Gleb Igolkin is one such man who overcame such difficulties in his life by successfully applying for a second passport from St . Kitts and Nevis , enabling him to work as a global entrepreneur . This is his story , which could help investors from all over the world like him who want to ensure a brighter and a more prosperous future for themselves and their families .
Could you please introduce yourself ?
I was born in Leningrad , USSR , in 1977 . My father is a sailor and my mom is a graphic designer . I grew up in a simple family , but I was lucky to graduate from a very good language school ; that was really uncommon in the Soviet Union , and it gave me a possibility to start working in an international travel company after graduating from St . Petersburg State University . That was nearly 25 years ago and shortly after getting that job , I started my first company – Pride Tour Operator – a VIP tour operator , specializing in custom tours all around the globe .
Why did you feel the need to acquire another passport ?
When you are a Russian citizen , it ’ s really difficult to be an international entrepreneur . You can ’ t open a bank account and you need a visa anywhere you go . The situation is getting worse with international sanctions and continuous confrontation of Russian government vs . the Western block . I decided to apply for my second passport a decade ago when things just started to fall apart , and it was more like a comfort zone thing . Now , with all economic and COVID restrictions , I would apply for my whole family in the blink of an eye . That ’ s the only possibility to travel and live a comfortable life for many nationalities at the moment .