Affluent Americans are exploring golden visa programmes that allow foreign citizenship or residency through substantial investments. The reason? The imminent arrival of Donald Trump as the US President. Henley & Partners, a pioneer in citizenship-by-investment, noted a 400 per cent spike in inquiries from US citizens during election week, CNN reported.

Dominic Volek, head of private clients at Henley & Partners, described the trend as a strategy for “optionality.” He said it was similar to “an insurance policy,” with most applicants seeking backup plans rather than permanent relocation.

Arton Capital, another consultancy, observed a fivefold increase in inquiries the day after the election result. CEO Armand Arton remarked, “A very small percentage of these people are actually relocating, but they all want to have the option as a Plan B.”

For those seeking golden visas, European countries are the most popular destinations. Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Programme stands out for its affordability and quick path to EU citizenship. With a minimum investment of €250,000 in cultural heritage, applicants can secure residency and, after five years, apply for citizenship.

The ultra-wealthy often favour Malta and Austria. Malta offers immediate citizenship for a €600,000 non-refundable payment, with additional investments in real estate and charitable donations. Austria requires investments of at least €3.5 million, typically in local businesses, in exchange for citizenship.

Historically, golden visa programmes attracted individuals from politically unstable countries, but US demand surged during the pandemic as travel restrictions affected wealthy families, according to Mr Volek. 

While the golden visa trend is driven by the wealthy, many ordinary Americans are also considering a move abroad. For many, the motivation is not luxury but safety. Flannery Foster, an American living in Spain, helps others navigate the process of moving overseas. “I’ve been talking to people (whose) lives are at risk,” she said, pointing to women, Black individuals, and families with LGBTQ+ members.

These individuals often want to keep their US citizenship. Ms Foster explained, “There is a sense that, ‘I’m leaving because I have to, and I want to make sure that my vote still counts.’”

Social media discussions about relocating have also gained momentum, especially among those unable to afford golden visas. A YouTube video titled “Countries for Americans Who Want to Leave the US” has over half a million views, with many commenting on their plans to live abroad.

Eight cruise ship passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were left stranded on an African island after their Norwegian Cruise line ship departed without them, New York Post reported. A couple from South Carolina, said they are stuck on the Central African island of Sao Tome with four other American and two Australian passengers after the captain of the ship allegedly refused to let them reboard. 

The eight passengers left behind have now been struggling for days to catch up with their ship. 

”We have never had an experience like this before,” said one of the abandoned passengers.

Notably, the passengers were late getting back to the ship on March 27, according to a statement from Norwegian Cruise Line.

”Eight guests who were on the island on their own or with a private tour missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. local time,” the statement said.

”While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.”

The stranded South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell said there was an issue with their tour on the island, and the guide failed to return them to the ship on time on Friday. However, when they arrived at the port, the ship was still anchored, and the island’s Coast Guard assisted them in getting back onboard via a boat. However, the captain of the ship allegedly declined to let them reenter the vessel and they were left there without their possessions, money, or vital medications.

The couple told CNN affiliate WPDE that the passengers spent 15 hours travelling through six countries to try to rejoin their ship on Sunday in Gambia.

The Campbells also said that several members of the group are elderly, another is a paraplegic and one woman is pregnant. They said one member of the group had been without his heart medication for five days and had become ill.

The passengers are now heading to a port in Senegal, where the cruise is set to dock on Tuesday.

”We looked at some type of van transportation for eight people, the quadriplegic woman included, driving from here. We have to cross the ferry to get into Senegal,” Jay Campbell told WPDE.

”We just learned from the gentleman that the ferry hadn’t been working, but he said, ‘No problem if the ferry is not working, we will get another little boat and then pick up a car on the other side. And then once we get on the other side of Senegal, it’s another four-hour drive,” he added.