The Ireland Residence by Investment Program

Ireland boasts one of Europe’s fastest growing economies and an enviable tech environment. The Ireland Residence by Investment Program was introduced by the Irish government in 2012 to encourage foreign direct investment into the country. Ireland allows foreign nationals to make a significant investment into an approved fund and gain a residence permit (also known as the Ireland golden visa) in return.

Benefits of Irish golden visa

• Unlimited access to and the opportunity to live, work, and study in Ireland
• Residence status in an EU country with an excellent quality of life
• Residence applicable to the whole family including the main applicant’s legal spouse, children under 18 years old, and unmarried, financially dependent children between 18 and 24 years
• Sophisticated, transparent, and well-regulated international financial center
• No minimum physical presence in Ireland needed to maintain residence status
• Eligibility for Irish citizenship possible after five years of residence, facilitating access to over 180 destinations worldwide

Ireland golden visa requirements

To qualify for residence, applicants are required to make the following investment:

• EUR 1 million into an approved investment fund, held for three years

In addition, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Proof of the source of funds (from personal resources; investments financed from loans will not be accepted)
2. Statement of character from police authorities, with no criminal convictions
3. Evidence of a minimum net worth of EUR 2 million

Procedures and time frame of the Ireland golden visa

Applications must include completed application forms and should be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents, including proof of net worth and a plan detailing the investment. Successful applicants can add members of their nuclear families to their permits at no extra cost. The initial investor visa is valid for two years and can be renewed thereafter.

The processing time is nine to twelve months from submission of the application to approval.

Acquiring Irish citizenship after the residence by investment program

Successful applicants may apply for Irish citizenship after five years of residence. The Irish passport is among the top 10 in the world on the Henley Passport Index and facilitates access to over 180 destinations worldwide.