IrelandBusiness

Residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs in Ireland

The STEP programme gives nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area residence in Ireland to launch and personally run an innovative start-up with international growth potential. Residence automatically extends to the applicant’s spouse or partner and their minor children.

Source: Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)

Who can obtain residence under STEP

The application is considered by an independent evaluation committee, which then makes a recommendation to the Minister for Justice.

Requirements for the applicant

Citizenship of a country outside the EEA
An impeccable reputation and no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction
Access to funding of at least EUR 50,000 for the business idea
If the start-up has several principals who are not family members: the first shows EUR 50,000 and each further one EUR 30,000
An innovative business proposal at High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) level

HPSU criteria for the business idea

A new or innovative product or service for international markets
Manufacturing or internationally traded services
The capacity to create 10 jobs in Ireland and reach EUR 1 million in sales within 3 years of launch
An experienced management team
Headquarters and management of the business located in Ireland
The company was incorporated less than 5 years ago (under article 22 of the European Commission’s GBER)

What it costs

Minimum funding for the business idea	50 000 EUR
Fee for processing the application (covers the applicant and all family members named, non-refundable)	350 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.	50 350 EUR

Documents to gather

The full list of documents is set out in the STEP Guidelines; the main items are below.

A completed STEP Application Form
A business plan following the template on the INIS website, stating all the start-up’s locations and the number of staff in each country
Proof of funding of at least EUR 50,000: a bank letter or bank statements for 3 months, or letters from a venture capital firm, a business angel or an Irish state agency
A bank letter confirming that the funds can be transferred to Ireland and converted into euro
A police clearance certificate from every country where the applicant has lived for more than 6 months in the last 10 years
After approval — an affidavit of good character and absence of convictions, drawn up by an Irish practising solicitor (the same document is required from family members aged 16 and over)
Audited accounts of the existing business — if the entrepreneur is relocating an already trading company to Ireland

How the process runs

The application is dealt with in two stages: evaluation of the business proposal and issue of the residence permission.

1
Submit the online application
The applicant sends the STEP form, the business plan and proof of the EUR 50,000 funding and of good character to startup@justice.ie.
2
Pay the processing fee
The applicant transfers EUR 350 by electronic bank transfer; the application will not be considered until the fee has been received in full.
3
Evaluation of the proposal by the committee
once a quarter
An independent evaluation committee of senior civil servants examines the business plan, may request further information from the applicant and evaluates proposals once a quarter.
4
Decision of the Minister for Justice
The committee makes a recommendation on the application to the Minister for Justice. A refusal is final and cannot be appealed, but you can reapply at any time.
5
Transfer of funds and proof of good character
After approval the applicant transfers the funding stated to the Irish company’s account at a bank regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and submits an affidavit of good character from an Irish solicitor.
6
Issue of the residence permission
2 years
The applicant and the family members named are granted permission to live and work in Ireland for 2 years; where necessary, a multiple-entry visa for the same period is issued.

Timelines and rights

Work

The entrepreneur sets up the business as described in the application and works in it full time. Taking employment anywhere else is not allowed, nor is becoming a financial burden on the state or having a criminal conviction in any jurisdiction.

Who you can bring with you

Residence automatically extends to the applicant’s spouse or partner and minor children for as long as the applicant meets the conditions of the programme.

Spouse in an official marriage or civil partnership

The lawfulness of the marriage or partnership must be proven; the status is granted on the same terms as for the applicant

De facto/common law partner

Cohabitation for at least 2 years before the application must be proven

Minor children under 18

A birth certificate or custody documents are required; the child must not be married or in a de facto relationship of their own

Family members aged 16 and over

They too submit an affidavit of good character and absence of convictions, drawn up by an Irish solicitor

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Children of the entrepreneur born abroad receive stamp 4. For family reunification purposes, STEP participants are category B sponsors.

The first permission is valid for 2 years. On renewal the evaluation committee looks again at the success and viability of the start-up, and the applicant must maintain good character and private medical insurance and must not claim state social welfare payments. The first renewal gives a further 3 years, and later renewals run in blocks of 5 years. After 5 years of residence a participant can be eligible for long-term resident status. The programme gives no preferential access to citizenship — naturalisation follows the general rules under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1957–2004.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs	Permit for shortage occupations	General employment permit
Visa term	The first permission is granted for 2 years	Tied to the employer, at least 9 months with the first one, then a flexible status	Usually 1–2 years, renewable
Grounds	Permission to live in Ireland and run an innovative start-up here	Shortage occupations	Employment
Money	The minimum funding is EUR 50,000 with proof of the source of funds	EUR 40,904 for some critical occupations with a degree; EUR 36,848 for graduates; EUR 68,911+ for other roles	A threshold of about EUR 36,605 for most occupations
Work	The entrepreneur sets up the business as described in the application and works in it full time	Yes, for the employer in the stated role until Stamp 4	Yes, for the named employer/role
Residence	Children of the entrepreneur born abroad receive stamp 4	Employment; the 50:50 rule on EEA composition	Actual employment, labour market restrictions

Frequently asked questions about Residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs

Who can apply for STEP?

A national of a country outside the EEA with an impeccable reputation, no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction, access to funding of at least EUR 50,000 and an innovative business proposal at High Potential Start-Up level. By order of the Minister for Justice, new applications from nationals of Russia and Belarus are not accepted.

How much does taking part in the programme cost?

You have to show access to at least EUR 50,000 of funding for the business idea and pay a non-refundable processing fee of EUR 350. The fee covers the applicant themselves and all family members named in the application.

How long is the first permission valid and how is it renewed?

The first permission to live and work in Ireland is granted for 2 years. On renewal the committee assesses the viability of the business; the first renewal gives a further 3 years and later renewals run in blocks of 5 years. After 5 years of residence the route to long-term resident status opens up.

Can the family come with the entrepreneur?

Yes. Residence automatically extends to a spouse or partner (with proven two-year cohabitation for de facto partners) and minor children, for as long as the applicant meets the conditions of the programme.

What counts as a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU)?

It is a company less than five years old, incorporated and managed in Ireland, with an experienced team, bringing a new or innovative product or service to international markets and capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and EUR 1 million in sales within 3 years of launch.

Does STEP give preferential access to Irish citizenship?

No, the programme provides no preferences for naturalisation. Participants apply for citizenship on general terms under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1957–2004, like holders of other forms of residence.

What happens if the start-up does not take off?

The participant’s immigration status will be reviewed and they will have to look for another basis to stay in Ireland — for example a new STEP application or an employment permit. A refusal of an application cannot be appealed, but you can reapply at any time.

Other ways to move to Ireland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Ireland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.