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Sheldon Labuschagne on Global Positioning through Travel and Migration
Introduction:
Sheldon Labuschagne, CEO of Knightsbridge Group, leads an award-winning firm renowned for its comprehensive legal, fiduciary, immigration, and accounting services. Established in Dubai in 2010 and with a global footprint spanning London, Switzerland, Monaco, and the UAE, Knightsbridge Group specializes in wealth structuring, protection, legacy planning, and succession. For high-net-worth individuals whose lives are as global as their portfolios, Knightsbridge Group offers an unparalleled blend of strategic international planning and bespoke lifestyle integration.
We delve into Sheldon’s insights on the evolving motivations of the global elite, where international travel often intertwines with crucial decisions about residency, citizenship, and the secure future of their legacy.
Sheldon, tell us a little about yourself, sharing some pivotal childhood moments that you believe shaped your career and lifestyle choices?
I am the eldest of five children, and I believe that role shaped me into a natural leader from a very young age. It instilled in me a sense of responsibility, accountability, and the importance of setting an example — qualities that have carried through into both my career and my lifestyle choices.
Growing up in South Africa exposed me to an incredible level of cultural diversity that is rare to find elsewhere. From early on, I learned to appreciate different perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking, which gave me a global outlook and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
I have also been fortunate to have access to strong education and a supportive network, both of which laid the foundation for my professional journey. In addition, the opportunity to travel extensively throughout my life broadened my horizons even further, allowing me to see possibilities beyond my immediate environment and inspiring me to think internationally in my career decisions.
What has been your travel inspiration over the years and what inspired your decision to later relocate to Dubai where you now lead Knightsbridge Group as CEO?
The mindset of high-net-worth individuals around global mobility has shifted significantly in recent years. What was once seen as a luxury or optional diversification has now become an essential part of their long-term strategy. Whether driven purely by business expansion, legacy planning for family, or a combination of both, the reality is that the world has become more interconnected than ever — in many ways, a single global village.
While maintaining a strong local footprint remains important in many cases, there is now a clear recognition that balance is key. Our clients consistently seek both mobility and local expertise — the ability to move seamlessly across borders while still building meaningful presence in the markets that matter most to them. This balance is what allows them to protect their families, grow their businesses, and stay agile in an increasingly dynamic global environment.
Your line of businesses awards you the opportunity to connect with global citizens, most leveraging movement for expansion of their business and personal footprint. Reeling in your perspective on the evolution of today’s global citizen, how do you believe the motivation for high-net-worth individuals to pursue global mobility has evolved in recent years?
I have always believed that without travel, one’s ability to expand their thinking is limited. Travel exposes you to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, and it has played a central role in shaping both my outlook and my career.
Early on, I was fortunate to spend time with a terrific firm in South Africa, which opened the door for me to work across the African continent. That experience taught me the importance of adaptability and the value of building connections in diverse environments. My career later took me to Europe, where I gained further exposure to international markets and broadened my professional perspective even more.
Ultimately, relocating to Dubai was a natural next step. It has become a true global hub and provides the perfect base for the work we do at Knightsbridge Group. From here, we are able to assist clients from a wide variety of nationalities and operate seamlessly across several continents. Dubai’s unique position allows us to combine local expertise with global reach, which is central to the success of our firm.
We’ve seen an upsurge of more and more jurisdictions promoting second citizenship and for many individuals hailing from Africa, Europe and parts of Asia, this is a big ticket goal.Can you take us through the basics of acquiring second citizenship and its benefits. What are the key drivers you're observing today that go beyond traditional tax incentives?
That’s a great question. While tax efficiency certainly still plays a role in the decision-making process, it is no longer the singular driver behind why our clients pursue second citizenship or alternative residence. The most important point to understand is that this is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Each individual or family’s needs are different, and selecting the right program is often more critical than the actual acquisition itself.
The landscape is broad. On one end, there are the traditional citizenship-by-investment routes in the Caribbean, which remain popular for their speed and accessibility. On the other, we are seeing the emergence of outlier options such as Nauru, which offer new pathways for those seeking something beyond the mainstream. Similarly, in Europe, individuals can access alternative residence through business expansion models or more traditional investment vehicles. Each option carries its own advantages, but the key lies in aligning the choice with the client’s long-term goals and personal circumstances.
A notable trend we have observed over the past 12–18 months is the move toward building what I like to call citizenship and residence portfolios. Increasingly, clients are not stopping at one additional citizenship or residence, but instead combining multiple options — for example, pairing a Caribbean citizenship with a European residence. This approach gives them greater flexibility, mobility, and security, allowing them to balance business interests with lifestyle aspirations for themselves and their families.
Knightsbridge Group is known for its comprehensive approach in helping its clients with residency-by-investment options in the UAE and globally. Could you elaborate on how your services extend beyond traditional residency or citizenship by investment programs to encompass wealth management, legal advisory, and even luxury concierge services for clients transitioning to a new country?
I believe the answer is in the question itself. A key differentiator for Knightsbridge Group is that we are not simply an investment migration provider — we are a registered and established law firm headquartered in the UAE. While many firms focus exclusively on immigration or citizenship-by-investment services, we rarely see our clients engage with only one of our offerings.
Investment migration forms just one part of what we do. Even within that space, our approach is both broader and more nuanced than most, designed to ensure our clients are truly empowered to make the right decisions for themselves and their families. Beyond this, our corporate services division provides comprehensive support for business establishment and growth; our legal team handles everything from complex structuring to administrative matters; and our account services team ensures clients have a streamlined, efficient financial foundation.
We also offer a carefully curated real estate division and select lifestyle and concierge services to help clients transition smoothly into new jurisdictions. What makes us unique is that, although we operate across several disciplines, we are able to specialise within each. This gives our clients confidence that wherever they engage with us — whether for immigration, legal advisory, wealth management, or relocation support — they are receiving the highest level of expertise.
Travel Essence Magazine takes a brand-by-brand approach to spotlighting brands that curate travel and hospitality experiences for the high income earning traveller. We’d love your opinion on the future of Luxury Travel and Global Mobility. What emerging trends do you foresee in the intersection of luxury travel and high-net-worth migration?
In my view, luxury travel and global mobility are inseparable — one cannot truly exist without the other. Our clients inevitably come to see themselves as global citizens, and this mindset naturally aligns with a lifestyle of luxury travel. The ability to move seamlessly across borders, with ease and comfort, is as much a part of their identity as the destinations they choose to visit.
Looking ahead, I see several emerging trends at the intersection of luxury travel and high-net-worth migration. First, there is a clear rise in citizenship and residence portfolios, where individuals combine mobility rights with curated travel experiences, ensuring maximum flexibility and access worldwide. Second, luxury hospitality is evolving to integrate with investment migration — from branded residences to concierge-led relocation services, the experience of “settling in” is being elevated to the same standard as five-star travel.
Another trend is the demand for seamless, end-to-end experiences. High-net-worth individuals want the assurance that their mobility, wealth management, and lifestyle needs are all addressed under one umbrella, allowing them to move between jurisdictions with the same ease as booking a first-class flight. Finally, sustainability and exclusivity are gaining prominence: clients want not just access to new destinations, but the ability to experience them in ways that are both private and purposeful, blending leisure with legacy.
In short, luxury travel and global mobility are converging to create a new standard of global living — one defined by freedom, flexibility, and curated experiences that match the expectations of today’s global citizen.
Are there new technologies, regulatory shifts, or client demands that will shape the industry in the coming years?
When we look specifically at the investment migration space, there are several shifts on the horizon that will shape the industry in the years ahead. On the government side, new technologies are beginning to redefine the ease of visa-free travel. The UK has already introduced its pre-entry clearance system (ETA), and the European Union is preparing to roll out its own equivalent, ETIAS. While these measures don’t eliminate visa-free access, they do add an additional layer of process that high-net-worth individuals will need to factor into their mobility strategies.
On the client and legal front, we are seeing what I would describe as a gradual standardization across competing nations. A good example is the Caribbean, where governments are moving to centralize their due diligence processes at the processing level. This adds consistency, increases transparency, and ultimately strengthens the credibility of their programs on the global stage.
At the same time, business migration options are gaining traction in Europe. Many countries are using these as a tool to attract entrepreneurs, particularly in regions where the entrepreneurial base is shrinking or ageing. These programs offer clients a dual benefit: the ability to expand their businesses internationally while also securing residence rights for themselves and their families.
Taken together, these regulatory and client-driven shifts point to a future where investment migration will become more standardized, more transparent, and more closely aligned with broader economic development goals — while still offering clients the flexibility they seek.
For many high-net-worth individuals, significant international travel often precedes a decision to relocate or seek alternative residency. How does Knightsbridge Group advise clients, if at all, on using their travel experiences to inform their long-term migration strategies?
That’s an interesting question, and one we consider carefully when advising clients. If we look at the data — and we do so regularly — we’ve seen about an 8–10 percent shift in clients using citizenship or residence-by-investment specifically as a physical immigration tool. This is particularly evident with European residence-by-investment programs or business migration options, which naturally lend themselves to relocation.
However, for the majority of our clients, we still advise viewing these programs primarily as a hedge or what I like to call an “ease magnifier” — a way to create optionality and flexibility rather than a definitive relocation plan. These tools give clients the freedom to adapt to changing circumstances, whether business-related, personal, or geopolitical.
That said, we often recommend balancing a strong citizenship portfolio with at least one option that allows for desirable physical residence if and when it becomes necessary. This way, clients are not just buying into mobility — they are building long-term resilience and ensuring that their travel experiences today can seamlessly inform their future migration strategies.
Are there specific destinations that are particularly popular for this "exploratory" phase?
When it comes to the “exploratory” phase of investment migration, Europe continues to dominate the physical relocation space. This is largely due to the combination of lifestyle appeal and the flexibility offered within European legislation, both on the business and investment fronts.
Countries such as Italy, Spain, Malta, Greece, and Portugal remain at the forefront. Each of these destinations provides unique advantages — whether it’s cultural heritage, quality of life, or strategic access to European markets. What they all share, however, is a degree of flexibility that allows us to tailor the right program to each client’s needs.
Our role is to ensure that, within this diversity of options, clients arrive at the solution that best aligns with their long-term personal and professional goals. Europe’s range of programs gives us the ability to do just that, making it the most popular region for those considering relocation as part of their investment migration strategy.
The hot topic in recent years is the introduction and evolution of “Golden Visas”, which we can all attest to havegained significant traction. From a travel perspective, how do these programs influence international travel patterns and accessibility for high-net-worth individuals? Are there emerging programs or regions that offer unique travel advantages?
The Golden Visa, in its original form, was very much a European concept designed to cater to individuals seeking ease of movement within the bloc. For many years, Portugal led the way in this space, becoming the benchmark program globally. Over the past three years, however, Portugal’s program has undergone several iterations, and we’ve seen the rise of alternatives — particularly in Italy and Malta — which have emerged as strong contenders in the European Golden Visa market.
From a travel perspective, these programs have been instrumental in reshaping international mobility patterns for high-net-worth individuals. They allow clients not only to secure long-term residence rights but also to enjoy the convenience of unhindered access to the Schengen Area. This kind of flexibility has made Europe a focal point for those looking to combine lifestyle, business access, and travel ease.
More recently, the Golden Visa model has gained momentum in the Gulf region. The UAE has experienced remarkable growth and appetite for its Golden Visa, with the majority of applications linked to high-value real estate acquisitions. Neighboring countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, and even Qatar, have begun adapting similar models. This signals a regional trend where mobility, investment, and lifestyle are becoming increasingly intertwined.
In short, Golden Visas are no longer limited to Europe. They are evolving globally, providing clients with unique travel advantages while also opening doors to new hubs of opportunity in regions such as the GCC.
As a prominent base for Knightsbridge Group, what makes Dubai such an attractive hub for high-net-worth individuals seeking both exceptional travel experiences and strategic migration opportunities? How does the city's infrastructure and lifestyle complement your services?
Dubai is truly unique in what it offers both to our firm and to our clients. It provides access to an unmatched base of nationalities, sectors, and clientele, creating a global crossroads that few other cities in the world can replicate. For many of our clients, Dubai becomes more than just a stop on their journey — it evolves into a permanent base from which they can launch their global mobility strategies.
The city’s infrastructure and lifestyle perfectly complement this role. The ease of doing business, combined with tax efficiency and high service standards across both public and private sectors, creates an environment where high-net-worth individuals can thrive. Beyond business, Dubai offers world-class hospitality, connectivity, and lifestyle opportunities, which align seamlessly with the expectations of global citizens.
For Knightsbridge Group, this environment allows us to deliver a full spectrum of services — from investment migration and corporate structuring to legal advisory and lifestyle support — in a city that itself embodies the very concept of global mobility.
Bringing our last questions to you Sheldon. When Sheldon is not harnessing opportunities to create possibilities for the team at Knightsbridge Group as well as your portfolio of clients, what do you do for fun?
I would begin by saying that what drives my passion at Knightsbridge is that I genuinely align with our clients’ needs on a daily basis. Their thirst for travel, both for leisure and business, is something I personally share. In fact, that same global outlook has inspired our own expansion — most recently with the opening of our third international office in Istanbul, which was both an ambitious and necessary step for the firm.
Outside of work and travel, I find fun in simpler pursuits. I enjoy spending time on the golf course, which gives me both focus and relaxation. More recently, I’ve joined the growing number of people hooked on padel, which has been a great way to stay active while enjoying the social side of sport. And on a lighter note, I’ve even been making an effort to broaden my rather limited palate — something that has become a fun personal challenge whenever I’m exploring new destinations.
How do you define "Success" for yourself both professionally and personally?
Honestly, I don’t spend a great deal of time trying to define success in rigid terms. Professionally, I’ve found that success comes not from chasing a single destination but from embracing — and enjoying — the process itself. If you can find fulfilment in the journey, in the challenges and the wins along the way, then success inevitably follows.
On a personal level, I try to keep it simple. For me, success is having peace of mind more often than not. If I can strike a balance where I feel content, grounded, and aligned with the life I want to live, then that, to me, is true success.
If you were given the option of packing a bag today and embark on a month-long adventure to Africa, which 4 countries would you choose to spend each week in and why?
What a brilliant question. I have such fondness for the continent and, as a South African, I carry a strong desire to see even more of Africa. Narrowing it down to just four countries, I would start with the obvious choice — South Africa. Even though I’ve travelled extensively across the country, there are still so many stones left unturned, and I would relish the chance to explore those overlooked corners in more depth.
Second on my list would be Morocco, a destination that has been on my radar for some time. The tales I continue to hear about the country’s unmatched hospitality and cultural richness make it a place I feel compelled to experience firsthand in the very near future.
Third would be Tanzania. I’ve had several close friends spend extended periods living there, and every one of them has returned with glowing stories of the people, the landscapes, and the pace of life. Their experiences have put it high on my personal list.
Finally, I would choose Botswana. This is another destination that comes highly recommended, especially for its breathtaking wilderness and conservation-focused approach to tourism. The idea of immersing myself in such an untouched natural environment is something I don’t intend on missing for much longer.
Any last words to encourage people to pursue the best version of themselves?
I’m not usually one to impart unsolicited advice or wisdom, because there’s so much nuance to what the “best version” of oneself truly means. It’s deeply personal and looks different for everyone.
That said, I’ll keep it simple. I believe the best version of ourselves is revealed when our words align with our actions. And in my view, that alignment is only truly possible when it’s guided by the right intentions. At the end of the day, whether the outcome is perceived as good or bad, it can almost always be traced back to intention. Get that right, and the rest tends to follow.
Sheldon, tell us a little about yourself, sharing some pivotal childhood moments that you believe shaped your career and lifestyle choices?
I am the eldest of five children, and I believe that role shaped me into a natural leader from a very young age. It instilled in me a sense of responsibility, accountability, and the importance of setting an example — qualities that have carried through into both my career and my lifestyle choices.
Growing up in South Africa exposed me to an incredible level of cultural diversity that is rare to find elsewhere. From early on, I learned to appreciate different perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking, which gave me a global outlook and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
I have also been fortunate to have access to strong education and a supportive network, both of which laid the foundation for my professional journey. In addition, the opportunity to travel extensively throughout my life broadened my horizons even further, allowing me to see possibilities beyond my immediate environment and inspiring me to think internationally in my career decisions.
What has been your travel inspiration over the years and what inspired your decision to later relocate to Dubai where you now lead Knightsbridge Group as CEO?
I have always believed that without travel, one’s ability to expand their thinking is limited. Travel exposes you to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, and it has played a central role in shaping both my outlook and my career.
Early on, I was fortunate to spend time with a terrific firm in South Africa, which opened the door for me to work across the African continent. That experience taught me the importance of adaptability and the value of building connections in diverse environments. My career later took me to Europe, where I gained further exposure to international markets and broadened my professional perspective even more.
Ultimately, relocating to Dubai was a natural next step. It has become a true global hub and provides the perfect base for the work we do at Knightsbridge Group. From here, we are able to assist clients from a wide variety of nationalities and operate seamlessly across several continents. Dubai’s unique position allows us to combine local expertise with global reach, which is central to the success of our firm.
Your line of businesses awards you the opportunity to connect with global citizens, most leveraging movement for expansion of their business and personal footprint. Reeling in your perspective on the evolution of today’s global citizen, how do you believe the motivation for high-net-worth individuals to pursue global mobility has evolved in recent years?
The mindset of high-net-worth individuals around global mobility has shifted significantly in recent years. What was once seen as a luxury or optional diversification has now become an essential part of their long-term strategy. Whether driven purely by business expansion, legacy planning for family, or a combination of both, the reality is that the world has become more interconnected than ever — in many ways, a single global village.
While maintaining a strong local footprint remains important in many cases, there is now a clear recognition that balance is key. Our clients consistently seek both mobility and local expertise — the ability to move seamlessly across borders while still building meaningful presence in the markets that matter most to them. This balance is what allows them to protect their families, grow their businesses, and stay agile in an increasingly dynamic global environment.
We’ve seen an upsurge of more and more jurisdictions promoting second citizenship and for many individuals hailing from Africa, Europe and parts of Asia, this is a big ticket goal. Can you take us through the basics of acquiring second citizenship and its benefits. What are the key drivers you're observing today that go beyond traditional tax incentives?
That’s a great question. While tax efficiency certainly still plays a role in the decision-making process, it is no longer the singular driver behind why our clients pursue second citizenship or alternative residence. The most important point to understand is that this is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Each individual or family’s needs are different, and selecting the right program is often more critical than the actual acquisition itself.
The landscape is broad. On one end, there are the traditional citizenship-by-investment routes in the Caribbean, which remain popular for their speed and accessibility. On the other, we are seeing the emergence of outlier options such as Nauru, which offer new pathways for those seeking something beyond the mainstream. Similarly, in Europe, individuals can access alternative residence through business expansion models or more traditional investment vehicles. Each option carries its own advantages, but the key lies in aligning the choice with the client’s long-term goals and personal circumstances.
A notable trend we have observed over the past 12–18 months is the move toward building what I like to call citizenship and residence portfolios. Increasingly, clients are not stopping at one additional citizenship or residence, but instead combining multiple options — for example, pairing a Caribbean citizenship with a European residence. This approach gives them greater flexibility, mobility, and security, allowing them to balance business interests with lifestyle aspirations for themselves and their families.
Knightsbridge Group is known for its comprehensive approach in helping its clients with residency-by-investment options in the UAE and globally. Could you elaborate on how your services extend beyond traditional residency or citizenship by investment programs to encompass wealth management, legal advisory, and even luxury concierge services for clients transitioning to a new country?
I believe the answer is in the question itself. A key differentiator for Knightsbridge Group is that we are not simply an investment migration provider — we are a registered and established law firm headquartered in the UAE. While many firms focus exclusively on immigration or citizenship-by-investment services, we rarely see our clients engage with only one of our offerings.
Investment migration forms just one part of what we do. Even within that space, our approach is both broader and more nuanced than most, designed to ensure our clients are truly empowered to make the right decisions for themselves and their families. Beyond this, our corporate services division provides comprehensive support for business establishment and growth; our legal team handles everything from complex structuring to administrative matters; and our account services team ensures clients have a streamlined, efficient financial foundation.
We also offer a carefully curated real estate division and select lifestyle and concierge services to help clients transition smoothly into new jurisdictions. What makes us unique is that, although we operate across several disciplines, we are able to specialise within each. This gives our clients confidence that wherever they engage with us — whether for immigration, legal advisory, wealth management, or relocation support — they are receiving the highest level of expertise.
Travel Essence Magazine takes a brand-by-brand approach to spotlighting brands that curate travel and hospitality experiences for the high income earning traveller. We’d love your opinion on the future of Luxury Travel and Global Mobility. What emerging trends do you foresee in the intersection of luxury travel and high-net-worth migration?
In my view, luxury travel and global mobility are inseparable — one cannot truly exist without the other. Our clients inevitably come to see themselves as global citizens, and this mindset naturally aligns with a lifestyle of luxury travel. The ability to move seamlessly across borders, with ease and comfort, is as much a part of their identity as the destinations they choose to visit.
Looking ahead, I see several emerging trends at the intersection of luxury travel and high-net-worth migration. First, there is a clear rise in citizenship and residence portfolios, where individuals combine mobility rights with curated travel experiences, ensuring maximum flexibility and access worldwide. Second, luxury hospitality is evolving to integrate with investment migration — from branded residences to concierge-led relocation services, the experience of “settling in” is being elevated to the same standard as five-star travel.
Another trend is the demand for seamless, end-to-end experiences. High-net-worth individuals want the assurance that their mobility, wealth management, and lifestyle needs are all addressed under one umbrella, allowing them to move between jurisdictions with the same ease as booking a first-class flight. Finally, sustainability and exclusivity are gaining prominence: clients want not just access to new destinations, but the ability to experience them in ways that are both private and purposeful, blending leisure with legacy.
In short, luxury travel and global mobility are converging to create a new standard of global living — one defined by freedom, flexibility, and curated experiences that match the expectations of today’s global citizen.
