Moving Your Business to Ireland: Visa Routes for Founders and Investors

This guide covers the 1 verified route for founders and investors moving a business to Ireland. Every figure comes from our program review dated September 15, 2026. Rules change often, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the details with an expert before you commit money or time.

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

STEP grants residence permission to non-EEA founders of an innovative business capable of creating 10 jobs and generating €1 million in sales within 3-4 years (a "High Potential Start-Up"). Initial permission runs for 2 years and is renewable. The founder must maintain principal residence in Ireland.

Who it suits: Non-EEA founders with an innovative High Potential Start-Up (HPSU). Minimum investment: €50,000 secured funding. Active involvement: Yes. What you receive: Residence permission, initially 2 years, renewable. Family: Yes — immediate family reunification with right to work, study, or run a business. Path to permanent residence: Conditional — via long-term residency; requires principal residence in Ireland.

Worth knowing: Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme closed to new applicants on 15 February 2023. STEP is the founder-specific route that is open.

No longer available

Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) (Closed to new applicants, since February 15, 2023). The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme is the only active founder route.

This guide is directional guidance only and is not legal or immigration advice. A consulting session will tell you which route fits your business and what to prepare first.