Ireland requires secured funding for its start-up residence programme

Check whether the proposed business fits the programme

Ireland’s Start-up Entrepreneur Programme offers residence permission for founders who will establish and run an innovative business full time. The immigration service requires available funding of at least €50,000, good character and no criminal convictions. Its current page says it is accepting no further applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens. The route concerns founders seeking residence to run the proposed business.

The programme guidelines focus on innovative offerings for international markets. They describe a venture headquartered and controlled in Ireland with the potential for ten Irish jobs and €1 million in sales within three years. Conventional retail, personal services and catering are outside the programme’s intended scope.

Show the source and availability of the money

The guidelines accept personal resources, business loans, angel or venture financing and Irish state agency grants. A financing provider should confirm how much it commits and that the money is available for the project. For personal savings at a bank regulated abroad, check the three-month evidence period and the requirement that the latest statement be no more than one calendar month old.

The guidelines require proof that the money can be converted and transferred. They describe an actual transfer to a financial institution regulated in Ireland as a later condition of residence permission after approval. For proposals with multiple non-family principals seeking permission, the first needs €50,000 and each subsequent principal needs access to €30,000.

Complete the form and pay the review fee

Use the application form linked on the current programme page. The form calls for all sections to be completed and requires signatures on the privacy notice and applicant declaration. Where a legal representative submits the application, complete the authority section as well. Its payment instructions specify an electronic transfer of €350 with STEP and the passport number in the reference. The fee is non-refundable.

Send the form, evidence and proposal to the submission address on the current Immigration Service Delivery page. The service accepts submissions throughout the year and says the committee considers proposals quarterly. The committee can seek additional information before making its recommendation to the Minister. Check the payment instructions and ensure the full fee arrives after any bank charges. A quarterly review cycle does not establish the decision date for an individual case.

The form’s checklist also calls for a certified passport copy, a police report, the business plan, proof of fee payment and an account of the funding source. It asks about directors and shareholders as well as the type of funding. The funding narrative asks how the founder will support themselves while establishing the business, which should be clear alongside the venture’s financing.

Distinguish the immigration decision from enterprise funding

Enterprise Ireland has its own Innovative High Potential Start-Up Fund. Its funding page describes requirements such as an initial viable product, early commercial traction and co-funding. Consult that page if the business plan assumes an application for public investment. A proposed grant or equity investment should be identified as pending until the provider has committed it. The immigration application and the enterprise funding application have separate purposes and assessments.

Successful applicants receive a permission letter. The programme requires the founder to establish the business described in the application and work on it full time. It bars employment in another capacity. Plan personal living costs alongside the business budget before relying on projected earnings from the company.

Use the permission letter for registration

The linked application form’s privacy notice mentions Stamp 1. Current ISD registration guidance places entrepreneurs approved under this programme in its Stamp 4 categories. Use the approval letter and current entrepreneur registration checklist for the actual permission and its duration, and raise any discrepancy with ISD. The checklist asks for a valid passport, the permission letter and an original insurance policy with the required Irish hospital cover.

First registration is a separate step. The ISD first registration guide says to register within 90 days of being granted permission. Use the instructions in the permission letter and book through the current registration service. The standard residence certificate fee is €300, subject to prescribed exemptions. Keep the approval, registration records and business evidence together for the next assessment.