IrelandBusiness and self-employment

Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

In short

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme gives residence to non-EEA founders of innovative, high-potential start-ups who have €50,000 in funding (€30,000 for each additional founder). Proposals are judged quarterly by an independent committee; the application fee is €350 and non-refundable. Approved founders get 2 years of residence, renewable for 3 years and then in 5-year blocks, and may bring a spouse or partner and minor children.

checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
2 years at first, renewed for 3 years, then in 5-year instalments.
Validity
Visa-required founders receive a multiple-entry visa for the first two years to allow business travel.
Fee
€350Non-refundable STEP application fee paid by bank transfer, plus visa and €300 registration fees after approval.
Funds required
€50,000Funding for the business proposal; second and later founders show €30,000 each. Funds must be your own or verifiable and moved to an Irish business bank account before residence is granted.
Processing time
Proposals are considered by the evaluation committee on a quarterly basis.
Work
You must work full time on the business and may not be employed in any other capacity.
Family
Spouse or partner and children under 18 may accompany you; STEP entrepreneurs are Category B sponsors for family reunification.
Path to permanent residence
After 5 years of residence participants may seek long-term status; citizenship follows the normal naturalisation rules with no preferential access.
Where to apply
By email to the STEP unit of Immigration Service Delivery, from abroad; after approval, visa-required founders apply for the visa through AVATS.

Who can apply

You must be of good character with no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction, have €50,000 available and present an innovative business proposal. The programme targets high-potential start-ups: introducing a new product or service to international markets, in manufacturing or internationally traded services, capable of creating 10 jobs and €1 million in sales within 3 years, led by an experienced team, headquartered and controlled in Ireland and under five years old.

Retail, personal services, catering and similar businesses are not intended for STEP. ISD no longer accepts STEP applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens.

Application and evaluation

Email the completed STEP application form, the supporting documents listed in the guidelines (evidence of the €50,000, its source and your good character) and your business proposal to the STEP unit, then pay €350 by bank transfer to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration with the reference “STEP – your passport number”. Incomplete applications are returned and lobbying disqualifies the project.

An independent committee of senior public servants assesses proposals quarterly and recommends them to the Minister. After approval you transfer the funds to an Irish business bank account, after which the residence permission is issued.

  1. Read the STEP Guidelines and check that your business fits the high-potential start-up definition.
  2. Prepare the application form, business proposal and evidence of €50,000 and its source.
  3. Email the application to the STEP unit and pay €350 by bank transfer with the correct reference.
  4. Wait for the quarterly evaluation committee and the Minister’s decision.
  5. On approval, transfer the funds to an Irish business account and apply for the visa through AVATS with the approval letter.
  6. Register your permission at Burgh Quay within 90 days of arrival.

Forms

Renewal

Renewal after the first 2 years depends on the start-up still operating, a positive assessment of its progress by the evaluation committee, continued good character and private medical insurance. Renewal gives 3 more years, and later renewals are in 5-year blocks.

If the proposal is refused

You receive the Minister’s decision and reasons in writing. Under the programme rules a STEP refusal is final and cannot be reviewed or appealed.

Conditions of residence

You must set up the business described in the application, work on it full time, take no other employment, hold private medical insurance, avoid recourse to public funds and stay free of criminal convictions. Breaching these conditions can lead to withdrawal of the permission for you and your family.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport copy

Money

  • Evidence of €50,000 funding (€30,000 per additional founder) and of its source

Work

  • Business proposal for an innovative high-potential start-up

Other

  • Completed STEP application form
  • Evidence of good character, including police certificates as set out in the guidelines
  • Proof of payment of the €350 application fee

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Marriage or partnership evidence and children’s birth certificates for family members included

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for the Ireland start-up visa?

€50,000 for the first founder and €30,000 for each additional founder, available for the business.

Can I open a restaurant or shop under STEP?

No. Retail, personal services and catering businesses are outside the programme’s scope.

Is there still an Ireland investor visa?

No. The Immigrant Investor Programme closed on 15 February 2023. STEP is the remaining business route.

Can I appeal a STEP refusal?

No. The Minister’s decision is final and not subject to review or appeal, but you may submit a new, improved proposal.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Ireland

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; the immigration officer at the border writes the permitted date on the landing stamp and may give less.
  • Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; the immigration officer at the border writes the permitted date on the landing stamp and may give less.
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: No stay: a transit visa only allows passage through an Irish airport or seaport to another country.
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; the immigration officer at the border writes the permitted date on the landing stamp and may give less.
  • Culture, sports and events visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; the immigration officer at the border writes the permitted date on the landing stamp and may give less.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; the immigration officer at the border writes the permitted date on the landing stamp and may give less.

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Permission follows the course; the total time on student permission is capped at 7 years (8 years including the graduate stage for level 9 graduates).
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Up to 8 months of permission per course; at most three courses, two years in total, after which only a higher education programme can be continued.
  • Researcher visa Maximum stay: As long as the hosting agreement and the registered permission run.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Unpaid: up to 90 days, with no extension. Paid via Internship Employment Permit: up to 12 months. Paid via AWS: up to 12 months.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Initial permit up to 2 years, renewable for up to 3 more years; after 5 years a permit is generally no longer needed.
  • Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Issued for 2 years; it is not renewed but replaced by Stamp 4 permission from the Department of Justice.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 24 months initially, extendable to a maximum stay of 5 years; trainees up to 12 months.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: 12 months for level 8; up to 24 months (12 + 12) for level 9 and above, within the 7-year (level 8) or 8-year (level 9+) limit on student permission.

Family

Residence

  • Retirement visa Maximum stay: Temporary permission renewed on a TPER renewal form while you remain financially independent.
  • Residence permit Maximum stay: The IRP card is valid for the period of the permission granted (for example one academic year on Stamp 2, two years on Stamp 4).
  • Permanent residence Maximum stay: Stamp 4 usually 2 years at a time; Long Term Residency 5 years; Stamp 5 valid until your passport expires.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Maximum stay: While the application and any appeal are pending you may stay as an applicant; recognised refugees and subsidiary protection holders receive a residence permission.

Ireland visa guide