logo
episode-header-image
Sep 7
17m 28s

Trump card: what are golden visas?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

As US President Donald Trump tries to lure wealthy foreigners with a $5m Gold Card residency visa, we explore the growing global marketplace of so-called golden passports and visas.

Do the super-rich use them as a tax plan, an insurance plan, or something else? And should jet-setters with deep pockets be able to skip the queue?

If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, you can email us at businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Josh Martin

(Picture: US President Donald Trump holds the $5 million dollar Gold Card as he speaks to reporters while in flight on board Air Force One, en route to Miami, Florida on the 3rd of April 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Today
The cocoa conundrum
<p>Can Europe be weaned off cheap chocolate? EU efforts to block cocoa linked to deforestation were due to come into force at the end of this year – but have faced multiple delays. Another vote is due to take place soon. Some parties are pushing for further delay and modification ... Show More
20m 42s
Yesterday
Is this the end for South East Asia's scam centres?
<p>It’s one of the biggest human trafficking operations of modern times. Scam centres across South East Asia have been making hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s estimated, conning people into fake crypto-currency investment schemes. </p><p>But now these centres could ... Show More
18m 29s
Nov 24
Monetising Machu Picchu
<p>Peru is home to Machu Picchu - the ancient Inca city in the Andes mountains. </p><p>It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The popular tourist destination attracts millions of visitors, making it very lucrative for the government, local a ... Show More
17m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 25
$100,000 for a visa
With its announcement that an H-1B visa will now cost $100,000, the Trump administration is proving it's willing to wreak havoc on American industry in exchange for a flashy headline. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bulla ... Show More
26m 19s
May 2025
US Announces More Than $243 Billion in Deals With Qatar
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The White House said President Donald Trump had secured deals totaling more than $243.5 billion with Qatar, laying the groundwork for a bigger $1.2 trillion economic pledge with the tiny Gulf country.“The landma ... Show More
37m 1s
Jan 2025
Your guide to Trump’s Europe envoys
Diplomatic credentials? Optional. Deep pockets and loyalty to Trump? Essential. As Donald Trump rolls out his picks for U.S. ambassador posts in Europe — think fast-food executives, Broadway producers, billionaire donors and family insiders — one thing is clear: this isn’t tradit ... Show More
33m 32s
Jul 2025
Trump plans to hit Brazil with 50% tariffs
The US president, Donald Trump, has made public the tariffs he intends to slap on imports from another group of countries, including Brazil, from the start of August. The chipmaker Nvidia has become the first company in the world to reach a market value of $4tn on Wednesday. Davi ... Show More
48m 41s
May 2025
Qatar Force One
<p>President Trump is in the Middle East on the first major international trip of his second term. At the same time, a firestorm has erupted over his plan to accept a $400 million luxury airplane from the Qatari government.</p><p>Today, Maggie Haberman, a White House corresponden ... Show More
23m 10s
Sep 24
Who Loses—and Maybe Wins—From Trump’s New H-1B Fee
On this episode of Trumponomics, host Stephanie Flanders explores US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, which industries will lose the most from this new expense for foreign workers and a potential long-term silver lining for ... Show More
24m 4s
Sep 2024
Ep. 2042 - How Trump Can DESTROY Kamala In Debate: 9 Things Trump MUST Do and 3 He CAN’T
We examine the keys to Donald Trump defeating Kamala Harris in the most consequential debate in modern presidential history; Trump lays out his economic plans for his second term; and we examine the rising claims of Russian disinformation put out by the media and the Biden White ... Show More
1h 7m
Oct 13
119. Has Trump’s Madman Diplomacy Worked?
Will Donald Trump have the patience to see the Gaza ceasefire through? Why is Trump urging a pardon for Netanyahu? How is Trump using tariffs to control the markets? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more. Become a Founding Member: Go de ... Show More
57m 32s