Immigrant Investor Programme
The Immigrant Investor Programme provides a range of investment options which allows approved non-EEA investors and their immediate family enter Ireland on multi-entry visas and remain here for up to 5 years with the possibility of ongoing renewal. The investment must be good for Ireland, good for jobs and in the public interest. The funds must be legally acquired and owned, not borrowed, by the investor. Investors must be of good character and must not have been convicted of criminal offences in any jurisdiction. They must have a minimum net worth of 2 million euros and be able to provide evidence of this.
In order to be considered for the Programme, the proposed investment must be in one of the following categories.
Enterprise Investment: A minimum €1 million aggregate investment into new or existing Irish businesses for a minimum of 3 years. The enterprise can be a start-up registered by the investor. Your investment can be in a single Irish enterprise or spread over a number of enterprises. The enterprise must be registered and headquartered in Ireland and the investment must support the creation or maintenance of employment.
Investment Fund: A minimum of €1 million investment in an investment fund for at least 3 years. Investment funds must invest in Irish businesses and projects. The route for a fund to be accepted as an investment for the purposes of the Immigrant Investor Programme is for it to be part of an application by an individual investor. There is no list of approved funds but you can read about the criteria for investment funds on the ISD website.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT): A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish REIT listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The investment may be spread across a number of Irish REITs.
Endowment: €500,000 to a public project benefiting the arts, sports, health, culture or education. The endowment can be €400,000 per investor if it is pooled by at least 5 individuals.
You can apply for any of the 4 investment options without committing any investment funding. If you are approved, you then invest in your preferred investment option and following this, you and your nominated family members will be issued with permission to reside in Ireland. You do not have to live in Ireland to avail of the programme, but you must visit Ireland at least once a year.