Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) in Ireland

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) · Ireland visa route

longTerm · last reviewed 2026-05-27 · all Ireland routes

Generic row is misleading without split.

Important notes

• STEP applicants must be of good character, have no criminal convictions, have €50,000 funding available, and have an innovative business proposal.
• Permission lets the entrepreneur establish and work full-time in the business; no other employment and must not be a financial burden.
• IIP is closed; prior IIP required high net worth and investment but should be historical only.
• STEP funding: €50,000.
• IIP historical: €2m personal wealth and €1m investment/€500k endowment noted in closure notice, but closed.
• Split STEP from closed IIP; do not list IIP as active.

Official source

Official source: Ireland official source

Also look at similar visas from these countries

🇫🇮 Finland Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur / residence permit for an entrepreneur Open this route → 🇲🇹 Malta Malta Startup Residence Programme; separate Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) if using residence-by-investment Open this route → 🇦🇹 Austria Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders / Self-employed Key Workers Open this route → 🇩🇰 Denmark Start-up Denmark Open this route →

Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.