Latest news with #GoldCard
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Wealthy families could consider Trump's gold cards over fears about birthright citizenship
More and more wealthy people may turn to President Donald Trump's proposed $5 million Gold Card visa program as birthright citizenship is under threat, a new report claims. Trump issued an executive order earlier this year seeking to end birthright citizenship, which is safeguarded by the U.S. Constitution, for parents who are in the U.S. illegally. A U.S. District Judge has since blocked the order, but the Supreme Court could still hear another case on the issue. Ali Jahangiri, head of the EB5 Lending Alliance, told Newsweek the interest in Gold Cards and EB-5 visas — which can grant permanent residence to certain foreign investors — could skyrocket if birthright citizenship is restricted or removed. "Removing or restricting birthright citizenship would close a loophole used by many foreign nationals and shift demand toward investment-based and merit-based immigration pathways like EB-5 and Gold Cards, which provide more secure, legal, and long-term immigration solutions for wealthy families looking to secure a future for their children in the U.S,' Jahangiri said. The Gold Card costs $5 million, while the EB-5 program grants green cards to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs. It also offers a direct path to permanent residency for the investor, their spouse and any children under 21. The Gold Card program could grant families who 'would have considered birth tourism' another path to legal residency and citizenship, Jahangiri said. 'Birth tourism' refers to the act of traveling to a country to give birth in order to secure U.S. citizenship for the child. The administration launched the Gold Card website in June. The site allows users to enter their contact information so they can be 'notified the moment access opens.' Trump first proposed the idea in February, then touted it again in April as economists warned about the economic impacts of his sweeping tariffs. About 700,000 people were on the waiting list as of last month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told the Financial Times. In March, Lutnick told the All In podcast the administration had sold 1,000 Gold Cards, adding that Trump had estimated that they could sell one million cards in total. The Independent has contacted the White House and Commerce Department for comment on the status of the Gold Card program. Lutnick said the revenue from the cards will help pay down the $36 trillion national debt. Some experts told The Washington Post earlier this month that the program is unlikely to take off, noting legal challenges are likely and Congressional approval could be a barrier. In response, Commerce Department spokesperson Kristen Eichamer told the Post that Lutnick is 'determined to follow through on President Trump's vision to create a Gold Card visa program that will raise unprecedented revenues for the United States.' "There does not appear to be broad or coordinated support within Congress for the program, even among Republicans, due to concerns relating to the viability of the program and its optics," Morgan Bailey, a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek. The Gold Card is also already appearing on the application for Global Entry, a program operated by Customs and Border Protection that allows pre-approved U.S. citizens, green card holders and travelers from some countries to enter a fast lane at the airport. Those who apply for Global Entry using a foreign passport are currently given an option to say that they have 'submitted an application for a Trump Card Visa,' Wired reported in May.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Countries Offering Easy Path to Citizenship for Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Interest is growing among Americans who want to leave the United States and find a new home elsewhere, often seeking countries with fast pathways to citizenship, not just legal status. While President Donald Trump has promised that those able to spend at least $5 million can obtain a pathway to U.S. citizenship through his planned Gold Card visa, other countries, including multiple Caribbean nations, are offering speedy citizenship to those willing to spend a fraction of that amount. Other countries, particularly some in Europe, offer pathways to citizenship through descent to those whose grandparents or parents were born there, while others, such as the U.S., offer pathways through naturalization or spending a qualifying amount of time in the country. One of the organizations that helps Americans with such pathways is International Living. Ted Baumann, the organization's chief of global diversification, told Newsweek that there has been a noticeable shift in recent months. "There are two main groups. The first one, which is actually the smaller group, are those diversifying their wealth outside the U.S. Dollar and outside the U.S. financial system, because they are deeply concerned about its future," Baumann, based in South Africa, said. "The other group are the people who are appalled by what's happening in the United States. I guess you would call them liberals, in American language, but effectively they are people who have modern sensibilities, they think of the world in globalist terms, they're not stuck on the United States as Number One, and they want to get out." Upwards of 20 countries offer fast-track citizenship, including several Caribbean nations, but this process can take anywhere from three months to three years, depending on the specific requirements. Americans may be seeking a second citizenship for various reasons, including dissatisfaction with the current administration, as Baumann has observed a growing number of LGBTQ+ individuals and Jewish people seeking residency outside the U.S. Others are simply seeking better tax advantages and easier global mobility. "The world is a big place, there are plenty of places you can be happy, there are plenty of places you can do well financially and protect your wealth," Baumann said. Younger people are increasingly considering their residency and citizenship options, compared to a few months ago, when it was typically middle-aged or retired individuals who wanted to spend part of the year in the South of France, for example. Citizenship by Descent Some European countries offer citizenship to those with ancestors who originated there, such as Portugal, Ireland and Italy. GovAssist, another organization working in the field, explained in a July 7 article that individuals seeking a second passport in these countries would enjoy greater financial and personal freedom, including the ability to travel visa-free. With a large proportion of Americans having immigrant roots, particularly from European nations many decades ago, Baumann said that several U.S. citizens who have held onto the idea of obtaining a second passport someday in the future are now taking steps to make it happen. Stock image of a visa for Spain tucked inside a passport. Stock image of a visa for Spain tucked inside a passport. Getty Images "What most people want is the right to live somewhere," Baumann said. "That when they decide to get on a plane and fly abroad, they don't have to come back in 90 days. That's the first thing that people are looking for." He added that 90 percent of Americans he speaks with simply want a residency that may or may not eventually lead to citizenship. However, more countries are looking to tighten restrictions on who can get a passport, making citizenship a more urgent goal. Until recently in Italy, Italian Americans who could prove ancestry back to the 1800s could gain citizenship. Now, this is limited to parents and, in some cases, grandparents. Some of these pathways are not as fast as obtaining citizenship through financial means, but Ireland and Poland can process applications in between six and 18 months in some cases. Citizenship by Investment or Donation The other common route to residency or citizenship is through investment or donation, with multiple Caribbean nations offering this pathway with short time frames. Saint Kitts and Nevis, which has one of the longest-running citizenship-by-investment programs, can process applications in as little as four months, following a minimum investment of at least $250,000. Elsewhere, the governments of Moldova and North Macedonia don't require investments, but rather donations between $100,000 and $200,000. For some nations, citizenship by investment has become a lucrative option for governments that do not receive significant income from their citizens. Baumann said the turmoil in the U.S. economy earlier this year, brought about in part by tariff threats from the White House, caused Americans to consider moving themselves or their assets elsewhere. Despite the recovery in May, tariffs are back on the cards. "Now it's going this way again and they're just saying: 'I gotta get off this rollercoaster,'" Baumann said. "It's not just people who don't like Trump; it's people who maybe voted for Trump and maybe recognize that one of the costs of supporting Trump is that it might hurt their wealth, and so they're very quietly moving their own wealth outside the United States." Until recently, International Living received few inquiries about obtaining a Caribbean passport; however, interest has sharply risen in the last few weeks. Not all nations require individuals to reside there. One caveat is how the rest of the world views such passports, as the European Union does not offer visa-free travel to these nations. Whichever route Americans looking to emigrate choose to go down, one thing is clear to Baumann, who has noticed time becoming a critical factor for those who want as quick an exit from the U.S. as possible. "People are freaked out, there's no question about it," Baumann said. "This is not a normal situation."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Robinhood Stock Hit $112 in 2025?
Earlier this month, shares of financial technology company Robinhood Markets (HOOD) crossed the triple-digit mark for the first time, hitting a fresh all-time high and turning heads across Wall Street. The rally stemmed from a calculated leap into the world of tokenized assets. Robinhood introduced tokenized stocks for its European clientele, giving them access to more than 200 U.S. securities, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and even private firms like SpaceX. The move signaled a larger shift in Robinhood's strategy to tap into a high-potential, rapidly growing financial frontier. Shopify Stock is a Bargain - How to Make a 3.2% One-Month Yield with SHOP Tariffs, Inflation and Other Key Things to Watch this Week Stocks Set to Open Lower as Trump Ratchets Up Tariff Threats, U.S. Inflation Data and Big Bank Earnings Awaited Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! The company's shift toward next-gen digital products has created fresh momentum, supported by a wave of price target upgrades. Notably, Bank of America analyst Craig Siegenthaler raised his forecast for trading activity related to equity and options across Robinhood's platform. The upgrade followed a sharp rise in dip-buying by retail investors during the second quarter. In this environment, Robinhood has begun to look less like a disruptor and more like a serious contender. Robinhood stands as one of the most closely watched names in the fintech space. With a market capitalization of $87 billion, it has built a product suite that stretches well beyond commission-free trading. Its offerings now span across Robinhood Crypto, Custody, Wallet, Gold, and the newly launched Gold Card, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for modern investors. Over the past 52-weeks, HOOD has delivered a jaw-dropping 346% return, a performance that has turned it into one of the standout movers in the broader market. In just the last three months alone, the stock has surged 125%, handily outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 17% gain during the same period. HOOD stock currently trades at a forward adjusted earnings multiple of 79 times and a sales multiple of 29 times. These figures sit well above industry averages and reflect the market's strong belief in Robinhood's pricing power and growth trajectory. Robinhood revealed its Q1 2025 earnings on April 30, delivering results that topped Wall Street's expectations. The company's robust performance stemmed from rapid product rollouts and increased engagement from its active trader base. Total net revenue jumped 50% year-over-year (YOY) to $927 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $915.7 million. Breaking it down, transaction-based revenues climbed 77% to $583 million. This was fueled by stronger revenues from options, equities, and cryptocurrencies. Net interest revenue climbed 14% to $290 million. Meanwhile, other revenues surged 54% to $54 million, primarily due to a 90% growth in Robinhood Gold subscriptions, which reached 3.2 million during the quarter. Average revenue per user rose 39% to $145, showcasing growing monetization across the platform. Adjusted EBITDA rose 90% to $470 million, reflecting improved operational leverage. Net income also saw a healthy increase of 114% YOY to $336 million. Meanwhile, EPS grew 106% from the prior-year period to $0.37, beating analyst forecasts of $0.33. The strong results were supported by new features aimed at active traders and the rapid growth in Gold subscriptions, which boosted transaction revenues and wallet share. Looking ahead, Robinhood plans to expand its financial ecosystem with upcoming launches in banking, advisory services, and international markets. Analysts forecast Q2 2025 EPS growth of 38%, reaching $0.29. For the full fiscal year 2025, EPS is expected to grow 14% to $1.25. Projections for fiscal 2026 show continued momentum with the bottom line climbing 22% to $1.53. Analysts have responded to HOOD stock's momentum with a slate of optimistic price targets. Citigroup analyst Christopher Allen has placed the stock at $100, while Barclays analyst Benjamin Budish has a $102 target. Will Nance of Goldman Sachs takes it further at $104, and KeyBanc's Alex Markgraff leads the upper tier with a target of $110. Currently, the stock carries a 'Moderate Buy' rating. Of the 21 analysts covering HOOD, 12 have a 'Strong Buy' rating, two recommend a 'Moderate Buy,' six suggest to 'Hold," and one analyst remains bearish with a 'Strong Sell' rating. The stock is already trading above its average price target. However, the Street-high target comes from Bank of America's Craig Siegenthaler, who forecasts the stock climbing 14% from current levels to $112. With growth expectations anchored in both product innovation and rising user monetization, analysts appear confident that HOOD stock's momentum is far from exhausted. On the date of publication, Aanchal Sugandh did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Time Business News
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Switching Careers into Electrics: A 2025 Guide from First Screwdriver to NVQ Level 3
Redundancies in retail, the rise of hybrid working, and the unstoppable march of green technology have all pushed adults to rethink their job security. One trade keeps surfacing as both future-proof and well-paid: electrical installation. Yet many would-be learners stall at the starting line because they don't know which electrician course to trust, how long each stage truly takes, or where the on-site experience will come from. Elec Training Birmingham has spent the past two years building a 'classroom-to-career' ladder that answers those questions step by step. Below is a fresh, 700-word overview for 2025 entry—ideal reading if you are starting from scratch, part-qualified, or simply curious whether you could earn a Gold Card before the decade's out. Net-zero deadlines – Every EV charger, heat-pump retrofit, and solar-PV array requires certified sparks. – Every EV charger, heat-pump retrofit, and solar-PV array requires certified sparks. Aging workforce – Almost one-third of UK electricians will reach retirement age by 2032, according to JIB data. – Almost one-third of UK electricians will reach retirement age by 2032, according to JIB data. Regulatory complexity – Each new Amendment to BS 7671 creates compliance tasks that can't be automated or shipped offshore. Result: national job boards now list more electrician ads than there are Gold Card holders to fill them, and day rates continue to tick upwards. Elec Training's pathway is modular; start where it suits your experience and diary: Module Duration Outcome Entry Skills Week 5 days Strip & terminate cables, wire two basic circuits Diploma Block 6 weeks (part-time) City & Guilds Level 2 & foundational regs Advanced Design Block 8 weeks (part-time) Level 3 diploma; ready for on-site role Placement & NVQ 8–10 months Evidence for the nvq level 3 electrical logbook AM2E Test 3 days Competence certificate → ECS Gold Card 2 weeks admin Higher pay + site access Learners may skip Entry Week if they already hold basic hand-skills or have worked as a mate. Colleges often deliver the theory then leave learners hunting for the site evidence that the NVQ demands. Elec Training fixes that with two full-time recruiters whose only task is to match students with vetted contractors: 120+ partner firms in domestic, commercial, and renewables niches in domestic, commercial, and renewables niches Average gap between Level 3 finish and first paid shift: 12.4 days 87 percent of 2024 cohort completed NVQ portfolios in under ten months The placement desk remains at your side: if a firm's workload dries up or evidence variety is lacking, you're moved within seven days so logbook progress does not stall. To gain full status you must show competence in twelve categories: safe isolation, containment, first-fix, second-fix, three-phase terminations, test and inspection, fault rectification, and client hand-over. Evidence lives in a cloud app: Photo or video – demonstrate the task Supporting document – test sheet, risk assessment, permit Supervisor e-signature – authenticates the work Weekly mentor nights review uploads, flagging gaps early. Two assessor visits then confirm authenticity. One tiny grammar error in a note is fine; missing safe-isolation pics is not. Exam nerves fall when nothing on the rig looks new. Elec Training's lab mimics the NET assessment bay—same trunking, same timed fault board. Learners rehearse each section until they can finish with ten minutes spare. 2024 pass rate: 91 percent first attempt, 14 points above the national mean. Role Typical Midlands pay (2025) Gold-Card domestic installer £200–£240 day Commercial site electrician £25–£28 hour Solar-PV & battery specialist £46–£52 k salary EV-charger subcontractor £260 per 7 kW unit Add evening call-outs and small works and a motivated sole trader can surpass £60 k by year three. Interest-free instalments over 12 months. over 12 months. Skills Bootcamp grants up to 100 percent for green-tech add-ons (EV, PV, storage). up to 100 percent for green-tech add-ons (EV, PV, storage). Swap cohorts once per module free—handy for shift patterns or childcare changes. 'You need a van first.' False; borrow centre tools & lift-share during placement. 'Amendments force full retakes.' False; CPD session suffices until a new edition drops. 'I'm too old.' Our oldest 2024 graduate was 52 and now mentors apprentices. Book an open-evening tour—try the safe-isolation simulator. Download the pathway PDF for dates & prices. Choose a start date; intakes cap at 14 to guarantee bench time. Secure funding—speak to advisors about grants or instalments. A skills gap plus rising green-tech demand equals genuine opportunity. Pick a structured electrician course, commit to the nvq level 3 electrical evidence plan, and Elec Training Birmingham will steer you from novice to Gold Card holder before some of your peers finish their second year at university. The market needs sparks; the timeline is clear; your circuit to a new career is ready to close. Plug in and power up. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
From Classroom to Gold Card: How Elec Training Birmingham Streamlines the NVQ Journey
The UK still needs thousands of qualified electricians, and most vacancies specify one credential above all others: the nvq level 3 electrical. At Elec Training Birmingham we meet adults every week who finished their Level 2 and 3 diplomas elsewhere yet remain stuck at 'part-qualified' because no one showed them how to complete a site portfolio. This article explains the full pathway, the pitfalls, and the support systems that turn paperwork into a Gold Card—without stalling your income. Employers, insurers, and scheme providers agree on one thing: theory exams alone can't prove competency. The NVQ gathers real evidence—photos, test sheets, safe-isolation videos—showing you have carried out core tasks under site conditions. Finish it and the ECS Gold Card follows, instantly lifting your day rate by 20 percent in many regions. Skip it and you will often be capped at improver wages. Roadblock Typical cause Elec Training solution No qualified supervisor to sign evidence Small firms can't spare one In-house recruitment desk pairs you with vetted contractors who understand the logbook Poor photo quality or missing test data Learner uncertainty Workshop session on 'evidence that passes first time,' including a checklist app Assessor delays Over-booked freelancers Two staff assessors on payroll, site visits booked at intake It are amazing how many weeks disappear chasing corrections—our system prevents 90 % of re-submissions. Weeks 0–4 – Fast-Track Theory Block Small-group classes cover science refreshers, cable calcs, and 18th Edition updates. Evening revision is online, saving commute time. Weeks 5–6 – Skills Bootcamp Live consumer-unit swaps, fault-finding on three-phase boards, and the first mock AM2 tasks. Week 7 – Placement start Before you leave the building our recruitment desk confirms your first paid site day. Evidence logging begins using the cloud app you practised in class. Weeks 8–32 – Portfolio building Twelve critical tasks: trunking, testing, containment, three fault rectifications, and two final-circuit commissions. Mentors check uploads every Friday. Week 20 – Assessor visit #1 Safe isolation, continuity testing, and RCD auto-sequence witnessed on site. Instant feedback so you know what still needs polish. Week 32 – Assessor visit #2 Final inspection. If all boxes tick, the logbook heads for internal quality-assurance. Week 36 – AM2E exam Three-day competence test at our partner centre. Mock exams and kit practice slash nerves. Week 38 – ECS Gold Card application Admin team scans results, populates your online JIB profile, and hits submit. Typical turnaround: 14 days. Elec Training Birmingham runs monthly clinics on invoicing, VAT thresholds, and late-payment steps, because earning well means keeping cash flowing. Graduates also get six months' free access to our Smart-Home lab, letting you practise Zigbee and EV-charger setups before pitching them to clients. Do I need my own tools to start? No. We provide calibrated testers and hand tools until you're earning enough to invest. Can I keep my day job while training? Yes. Evening theory blocks plus Saturday workshops fit around most nine-to-five schedules. Is prior site experience essential? Helpful but not mandatory. Our placement network includes low-risk domestic rewires for true beginners. How do I actually learn how to get your nvq level 3 electrical portfolio right first time? Start with our free PDF checklist, then follow the evidence templates inside the learning app—every assessor tick box mirrors those forms. Priya, 27, career-changer: 'Finished Level 3 elsewhere, got stuck for months. Elec Training placed me with a local maintenance outfit; portfolio done in five visits and I passed AM2 first go.' Damian, 35, ex-army: 'Fast-track timetable meant I kept my security-guard job at nights. Sixteen weeks later I'm on £180/day and booked solid.' Thousands of electricians hold the theory but not the full NVQ. With structured mentoring, guaranteed site time, and in-house assessing, Elec Training Birmingham collapses that bottleneck. Book a campus tour, test the VR rigs, and see how close you already are to a Gold Card. The trade needs you qualified—let's finish the job together. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
