Ireland has one of the top class golden visa programs in Europe. The Irish Golden visa (IGV) program is very well suited for High-net-worth individuals (HNWI) who wish to become a permanent resident investor in Ireland.
Ireland offers some of the attractive tax benefits, educational institutions, perhaps english speaking and on the cross roads, easily reachable from North America and Middle East. There is no requirement to live permanently in Ireland, all you need to visit Ireland for 1 day per year to keep your residency from expiring.
To apply for ireland golden visa please follow the answers t below…
What is Ireland golden visa program?
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by the Irish Government in 2012 to encourage inward investment for the creation of business and employment opportunities in the State. The IIP is designed to encourage investors and business professionals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to avail of opportunities of investing and locating their business interests in Ireland and acquire a secure residency status in Ireland.
At its heart, the IIP, in common with similar programmes in a number of other jurisdictions, is a programme that uses the immigration system to incentivise foreign investment in Ireland. The objective of the IIP is job creation and it is recognised that funds can play a critically important role in delivering on that objective.
Why invest in Ireland?
- Ireland is an excellent foreign investment destination for HNWI to form a company with attractive tax benefits.
- Ireland offers EU passport with its status as EU member state within the Euro zone with free movement in the EU plus with the right to live and work in both the European Union and the United Kingdom.
- English speaking nation makes easy for invest without language barriers.
- Ireland was ranked No.2 in Golden Visa rankings for 2021.
- World class healthcare and education system.
- Geographically located at cross roads between North America, Middle east and Africa
What is the basic eligibility criteria for IGV?
First to become eligible to apply for Ireland you must have minimum personal net worth of EUR 2 million. Additional conditions include no criminal record and no loans allowed. You must maintain the investment for the required period.
What are the eligible Investments?
- Enterprise Investment: A minimum of €1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least 3 years.
- Investment Fund: A minimum of €1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least 3 years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT): A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least 3 years.
- Endowment: A minimum €500,000 philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland. Reduced to €400,000 per for group of investors
Who are Eligible Family members?
Residency status, on similar terms, to the principal applicant is also available for spouses/partners and minor children (i.e. children under 18 years of age) for whom the principal applicant and/or their spouse or partner has legal guardianship.
In certain cases, children between the ages of 18 and 24 will be considered for residence under the programme where:
* They are unmarried and do not have a life partner
* They are financially dependent upon their parents (e.g. they are in full time education)
How to naturalise to become a Irish citizen?
The Immigrant Investor Programme does not provide for preferential access to naturalisation for successful applicants. Successful applicants are free to apply for naturalisation in the normal manner under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended). This legislation requires applicants for Irish naturalisation to be physically resident in Ireland for the 12 months prior to application and to be physically resident in Ireland for four of the preceding eight years, i.e. 5 years.
Please note that only residence where you physically reside in Ireland is considered for the calculation of the minimum residency period in naturalisation applications. Investors and their family members who exercise their right not to reside in Ireland under the Immigrant Investor Programme will not fulfil the residency requirements for naturalisation.
How long does an application take?
Applications take on average three to four months although they may take longer if the Evaluation Committee require more information from an applicant.
What is the minimum time I must spend in Ireland to adhere to the rules of the programme?
The applicant must spend a minimum of 1 day per calendar year in Ireland.
Can EU citizens apply?
No. A non EEA national may apply under the IIP for permission for themselves and their spouse/civil partner and children under the age of 18 to reside in the State. Dependent children between the ages of 18 and 24 may also be considered if they are in full time education
What is endowment option?
The endowment option will facilitate investors who wish to actively engage in philanthropy and who wish to champion projects that benefit the public at large. It is the most straightforward option and once the endowment is made no further financial obligation is required under the Immigrant Investor Programme. This is a non-refundable investment but also a cheapest one.
What are permitted source of funds?
The following sources of funds, where the evidence is provided complying with AML rules:
1. business and investment activities
2. deeds of sale
3. inheritance and gifts
4. divorce settlement
Can i appeal if my application is rejected?
The decision of the Minister for Justice and Equality on an application is final and a rejection of an application for residence under the Immigrant Investor Programme shall not be subject to a review or appeal. This does not, however, prevent the person concerned from making a new application at a later date. Where an application is rejected, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will communicate the reasons for that rejection in writing to the applicant
What kind of personal net assets are acceptable for participating in the Irish Programme?
Assets that have been acquired legally through legitimate business and commercial activity, inheritance, endowment and/or divorce. Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum personal net worth of €2million.
Are assets owned by my spouse acceptable as proof of €2 million net worth?
No, assets solely owned by other individuals, including a spouse, will be not accepted as evidence of net worth.
If I get married or have a child after receiving the residency, can I add them as my dependants?
Yes the investor can add additional nuclear family members (spouse and dependent children under 24) to the permission. Documentary evidence of the marriage and/or birth will be required.
What is the refund policy if my application is refused?
There is no refund on application fees of €1,500.
Can I work, study or travel in any other EU member state?
Ireland can only issue permissions for residence in this State. You should check the residence requirements of other EU member states with the relevant immigration authority.
Can I use the money gifted to me by a parent or other relative for an investment?
Yes, provided it has been obtained legally and can be legally transferred and the applicant can demonstrate a net worth of at least €2m.
Can I use retained earnings as investment or money coming from funds in a joint account?
Yes, provided you have authority to transfer that money into the proposed investment.
Do I need to liquidate my assets in my home country before moving to Ireland?
No but you must be in a position to make the investment within 90 days of your pre-approval letter issuing.
How many investor permissions are available for this program each year?
Currently there is no limit on the number of permissions available.
Do my school age children need to get a separate student permission?
No, family members will be given Stamp 4 permission to reside in Ireland which will allow them to study here.
Will my children be able to remain in school in Ireland if I leave Ireland?
Yes, provided your permission is still valid.
What age can my children still qualify under my residency (only up to age of 18?)
Children under the age of 18 qualify under the IIP applicant’s residency. Children between 18 and 24 will be considered under the programme where they are not married or in a de facto relationship and are attending full time education in Ireland and are still financially dependent upon the investor.
What type of businesses qualify for immigrant investments?
Any Irish enterprise that is headquartered in Ireland, has the bulk of its operations located in Ireland, where at least 60% of its employees are based in Ireland and at least 60% of its cost base is located in Ireland may qualify for IIP.
Are any countries excluded from eligibility for the IIP?
There are no countries excluded from the IIP although international sanction agreements to which Ireland is party may apply to some nationalities.
When do I, as an immigrant investor, commit my investment amount?
Upon receipt of your pre-approval letter from the INIS.
Are there any minimum net worth requirements for Immigrant Investor Programme?
Yes a personal net worth of €2 million is required.
How much time i have to make the full investment?
Applicants and their nominated family members who are successful and whose investment proposals are approved by the Evaluation Committee and the Minister for Justice and Equality, will be issued with a pre-approval letter inviting them to proceed to make their investment. The investment must be made within 90 days of the date of this letter
When the Minister is satisfied that the investment have been undertaken, an approval letter will issue granting the applicant a residence permission. This permission is valid for 2 years from the date of issue of the letter.
How do i register for permission upon arrival?
When applicants have fulfilled all investment and documentary requirements and have been issued with a letter granting them permission to reside in the State, they should make an appointment to register their permission at Burgh Quay registration office in Dublin. All successful candidates and their nominated family members will be granted a residence permission in Ireland under “Stamp 4” conditions. “Stamp 4” conditions permit foreign nationals to work, to study or to start their own businesses in Ireland. The Immigrant Investor Programme recognises that investors who benefit from the programme may have substantial business and financial interests outside of Ireland. Therefore, actual physical residence in Ireland is not a condition for renewal of your residency permission under the Immigrant Investor Programme. This condition applies to both investors and their nominated family members. The programme simply requires
investors and their family members to visit Ireland at least once per calendar year.
What is the renewal process?
Your immigration permission is initially for two years and may be renewed subject to certain conditions being fulfilled during this period. You must apply 3 months in advance of your renewal date seeking renewal of their permission
How do i invest in recoverable investments?
You can invest in REIT or investment funds that are recoverable after 5 years plus returns. You should also expect management and investment fee from the fund manager. You also hold property or home within a fund. The minimum required is 1 million euro.
There are several benefits to investors of being part of a managed fund. A fund, where a large group of investors pool their assets to invest in Irish enterprises, gain the benefits of being a larger investor, allowing them to invest in a wider range of companies, to spread their risk, to have experts advise them on their investment and to have specialist service providers/ administrators manage the investment fund on their behalf.
All funds must have Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland. The funds investment managers must be located in Ireland
Can i nominate a proxy to act on behalf of the application?
Applicants may nominate a legal or financial representative to communicate with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on their behalf.
What supporting documents are required?
Evidence of Identity
Certified copy of passport of applicant
Certified copy of passport or spouse/partner (if applicable)
Certified copy of passport of dependent children (if applicable)
Evidence of Family Relationships (if applicable)
Evidence of legal marriage/partnership
Evidence of de facto relationship
Certified copy of birth certificates of dependent children/adoption certificate
Evidence of guardianship/custody
Evidence of net worth
Evidence of bank accounts and term deposits
Evidence of stocks and other investments
Property evaluations and ownership certificates
Evidence of Investment
Business plan
The latest audited annual accounts for the business. If previously approved project, up-to-date progress report
Character
Police report for everyone included in the application over 16 years of age
Due diligence report from a risk management agency
Application Fee
Proof of payment of non-refundable €1,500
Where can i download the application forms?
The application form is available here
