The Passport King: Armand Arton on Freedom, Family, and Global Citizenship

As 2026 kicks off, Armand Arton, CEO and founder of Arton Capital, shares his vision of a world where mobility transcends borders, passports, and limitations. With a career spanning decades, Arton has become a key advisor to governments and entrepreneurs alike, helping shape policies that facilitate global movement while empowering individuals to live life on their own terms.

Born in Bulgaria to Armenian parents, Arton’s early life was marked by the complex realities of geopolitics. “Traveling in the 80s with a communist passport was challenging,” he recalls. “By the age of 10, I had already crossed Europe five years in a row, applying for countless visas. It left an impression—I understood early on that the place you’re born in is the biggest lottery of life. That shaped my mission: to help people overcome the limitations imposed by nationality.”

Arton Capital’s work focuses on citizenship, residency, and the tools that allow individuals to move freely across the globe. Over the last 20 years, the profile of clients has evolved. “Originally, most clients came from countries with limited mobility—China, the Middle East, Arab nations. Today, about 70% are from G7 or G20 countries, who already have strong passports but want more freedom to live and work internationally.”

Central to Arton’s approach is the Passport Index, a digital tool the company created a decade ago. It tracks the global mobility ranking of passports, providing transparency and insights into where citizens can travel without visas. “We work closely with governments,” he explains. “When the UAE realized in 2015 how crucial the value of a passport was, we helped monitor and improve its global mobility. Today, Emirati citizens can access over 90% of the world without a visa.”

With the rise of global wealth migration, Arton’s work extends beyond individuals to advising governments on attracting the right families and entrepreneurs. “Countries like the U.S., UAE, and even post-COVID Dubai are actively creating programs to attract successful global citizens. Real estate, bank deposits, entrepreneurship—all become tools for governments to attract talent and investment.”

Yet, Arton emphasizes balance and careful strategy. “Residency is a commodity; citizenship is a controlled, valuable asset. Countries have become more restrictive because passports carry geopolitical and economic weight. It’s about supply and demand.”

For Arton, personal experience is inseparable from his professional philosophy. Having lived in Europe, Africa, Canada, and now Dubai, he embodies the concept of global citizenship. He and his family—his German wife and their adopted child from Ethiopia—live by the principle of mobility and adaptability. “I want my children to experience the world, not stay in one country for more than five years. It’s the best gift a parent can give: exposure to different cultures and realities beyond comfort zones.”

Arton’s definition of success blends professional achievement with personal fulfillment. “Winning means influencing a president, helping a client navigate bureaucracies, or simply being present with my family. Success isn’t just about money—it’s about impact and relationships.”

Looking ahead, Arton is focused on digital transformation in global mobility. “Even if visa-free travel becomes widespread, countries will want to control movement. Passport Index is evolving into a super app—a one-stop solution for every travel authorization. Think of it like a PayPal for border crossings.”

Arton’s vision is ambitious: by 2040, he aims to facilitate borderless travel for a billion people, combining technology, policy, and human empathy. “My mission isn’t just business; it’s shaping a world where nationality doesn’t define opportunity. That’s the legacy I hope to leave.”

In a world increasingly defined by borders and restrictions, Armand Arton is building bridges—one passport, one policy, and one global citizen at a time.