Ireland Business Visa Application

Before starting the business visa application process, you must check that you are eligible.

If you are from the European Union and other non-visa-required countries, you can travel to Ireland without a visa. However, if you are from a visa required country, you must apply from your home country and receive approval before travelling.

Your planned business activities must fall under the allowed activities for this visa. The Irish government is particular about this. When applying, you should submit evidence of your plans in the country.

The Irish government requires applicants to have enough money to support themselves while in the country. There’s no minimum amount; the visa officer will decide if you have enough. Your bank statement can prove it. If your accommodation or business host is paying for the trip, you should include a letter listing everything they will pay for in Euros.

Furthermore, you must prove that you will leave the country when your trip ends. That can be evidence of your business or work commitment, property or dependent family members in your home country.

The required and supporting Ireland business visa documents for a Short stay visa include:

• Application letter that includes:
  • Personal and travel details
  • Details of any family members in Ireland or the EEA
  • A promise to obey the conditions of your visa, not rely on public services, and leave Ireland before your permission expires
• Detailed invitation letter from your Irish host or customer
• Confirmation of accommodation
• Travel or Medical insurance
• Visa application fee receipt
• Valid passport
• A letter detailing travel to-or-from Ireland through a different country than the one of which you are a citizen (your passport should hold the visa to that country)
• Residence card of a foreign country if you reside there and aren’t a citizen if it applies
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Proof that you have enough money to support yourself, such as bank statements
• Evidence that you will leave Ireland at the end of your business trips, such as payslips, recent tax return, or a letter from your employer with information on your business trip in their letter headed paper, showing contact details.

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) aims to support start-ups and entrepreneurs with high potential to come to Ireland and grow their businesses. Non-EEA nationals who are eligible have:

• A good character
• No criminal conviction in any country
• An innovative business idea to establish in Ireland
• A minimum business funding of €50,000
  • If there is more than one business owner (principal), the first must have access to €50,000 while others must have €30,000 each

Your business venture may qualify if it is:

• A new or innovative product or service in the international market
• In the manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors
• Capable of creating at least 10 jobs for Irish people
• Capable of raising €1 million in sales within three to four years of launch
• Managed by an experienced team
• To be headquartered and controlled in Ireland
• Less than five years old
• Not intended for retail, personal services, catering or other related businesses

With this business visa Ireland, you must meet the following conditions:

• Establish the business detailed in your application
• Work on the business full time
• Not be employed in any other capacity by any other Irish company
• Not rely on public services or be a financial burden to Ireland
• Not have a criminal record in any country

You must continue to meet the conditions while in Ireland on the visa, else your residency status under STEP may be withdrawn.

For more information or advice on this visa, call us today on (+353) 061 518 025. You can also reach us online through the live chat on our website or our contact form.

STEP application is made via email. Applicants are to prepare their application forms, business proposals, and supporting documentation and send them to the Evaluation Committee through a specific email provided by Irish immigration.

Successful applicants will be invited to apply for Residency Permission under STEP.

Before they apply for residency, they must transfer the business funds (€50,000) to a business bank account in Ireland. Submission of proof of this in their residency application will significantly increase their chances of being granted residence permission to live and work in Ireland for two years and a multiple entry visa.

Beneficiaries must have private medical insurance and can bring their spouse or civil partner and dependent children with them to Ireland.

We can help you and your dependents immigrate to Ireland under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme. Please call (+353) 061 518 025 today for more information or immediate assistance.

You will need the following documents when applying for the STEP:

• Business proposal
• Complete application form
• Your valid passport and those of your dependents if they are coming with you
• Two coloured passport-sized photographs
• Evidence of business funds
• Evidence that the business funds can be transferred, such as a detailed letter from the bank or financial institution
• Evidence of personal finance
• Most recent audited accounts of the business
• Visa fee in the form of postal order, bankers draft or evidence of electronic fund transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality
• Evidence of family relationships, if dependents are coming with you
• Police report and/or character screening report from a reputable international risk management company
• An affidavit attesting to a good character for yourself and dependents above the age of 16
  • This is to be made after the application for STEP has been approved and submitted with residence permission

You can renew this Irish visa for a further three years, provided you still meet your visa conditions, have maintained your private medical insurance, and didn’t receive public funds during the two years.

After living in Ireland for five years, you can renew the visa for another five years or apply for long term residence.

The STEP visa does not provide citizenship status, but you can apply for Irish citizenship at some point if you qualify based on the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts.

If you want to renew your visa, reach out to our Irish visa lawyers for assistance. Call us on (+353) 061 518 025 or email info@total.law.

Cost of the Short Stay Business visa

The short-stay business visa application processing fee depends on whether it’s a single journey visa or multiple entry visa.

A Single entry Short stay ‘C’ Business visa Ireland costs, while Multiple entry visas costs €100. Some applicants may need to pay consular fees and other fees; it differs between consular offices.

Citizens of certain countries are exempt from paying visa fees. The countries include Bosnia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia.

Cost of the STEP Irish visa

The application fee for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme is €350. This €350 fee covers the principal visa applicant and all dependent family members.

A foreign national is to pay through an electronic fund transfer to the account of the Department of Justice and Equality in the bank of Ireland. In this case, the reference should include your passport number.

You can also pay through a postal order or bankers draft payable to the Secretary-General of the Department of Justice & Equality.

Contact us for assistance or advice on any of the business visas. Call us on (+353) 061 518 025 or contact us online.

Short stay business visa application processing time

The Irish immigration authorities aim to process all business visa applications quickly. Short stay business visa applications are usually processed within eight weeks.

If your application is accepted, your passport will be stamped with the visa and returned to you along with any original documents such as the birth/death certificates you submitted as part of the application. Other documents can be returned on request.

If your application is refused, you will receive your documents and a refusal letter that details the reasons for the refusal. You can appeal a denial at no cost. To do so, you must submit an appeal within 2 months from the date on the refusal letter.

Processing time for the STEP

The STEP process may take a few weeks between when you submit your initial application and when you get the decision on your invitation to apply for residence. Application for residence is processed much quicker.

If your residence application is approved, you will be granted an Irish visa with two years validity, and you can travel to Ireland. If rejected, you will receive a letter of refusal from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service communicating the reasons for refusal.

If your application is rejected, you cannot apply for a review or appeal. All decisions for STEP applications are final. However, you may re-apply.