The island of Ireland is one of the northern European countries with the greatest incentives for foreign investment, with an opening of markets that are mixed within the construction and technology sectors. The country has an Investment Immigration Program (IIP) that was created in Ireland to give foreign citizens the opportunity to invest and obtain an investment visa in Ireland along with family members in addition to the right to reside, study or work within the island.
The most common ways to obtain this visa are:
- Investing €1,000,000 in government bonds, Investing €500,000 in an Irish Company.
- Investing €2,000,000 in an Irish Real Estate Investment Trust
- Own a property in Ireland worth €450,000 combined with an investment.
Advantages of obtaining an investor visa Ireland
The program offered by Ireland is an excellent option for people who are interested in obtaining an investment visa and consequently a second passport, you will have numerous advantages:
- It is a beautiful country with a high quality of life and an open economy.
- Ireland has a business-friendly tax system
- Family members can be included in residence permit applications
- Permanent residence gives access to Ireland’s health care system and education system.
- Residents can apply for a European health insurance card, which can cover certain medical expenses for injury or illness.
- After five years of continuous domicile, the applicant is eligible for citizenship, as are family members.
- Ireland is a member of the EU and therefore citizens are free to live, work, study and do business in any EU member state, or in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland.
- An Irish passport gives you the freedom to travel to 156 countries around the world, visa-free and hassle-free.
Visa for Investment in Ireland
The process of obtaining a visa for investment in Ireland is relatively simple, as long as you make the necessary investments required by the country.
Who is eligible for the Golden Visa?
Any non-EU foreign national who wishes to relocate to Ireland, has the net worth to make the necessary investments, and also meets the requirements is considered eligible for the Golden Visa.
Benefits of a visa in Ireland
Having an Irish Golden Visa comes with multiple benefits:
- Ireland recognizes dual nationality. If your country of origin allows it, you can keep your previous nationality.
- You can include your family
- No language skills required
- You will be eligible for citizenship in a short period of time.
- Visa-free access to the United States
- No officially restricted nationality
- Access to the education and health care system
- No interview required
- High quality of life
- Safe and modern country
Visa Requirements
To apply for an investment visa in Ireland you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a total income of not less than 2.000.000 EUR.
- Original criminal record certificate
- Experience in business or investment management
- Evidence of availability of funds
- Have an investment plan
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to make the required investment, as well as the legal origin of these funds
- Certified copy of passport
- Confirmation of investment (escrow agreement)
- Personal reference letter
- Certified copy of identity card
Golden Visa Investment Options
To qualify for an investment visa in Ireland, you must make one of the following investments and gather the necessary documentation:
- Invest €1,000,000 in government bonds for five years.
- Make an investment of €500,000 in an Irish Company for three years
- Deeds to a property in Ireland worth €450,000 combined with an investment of €500,000 in the Immigrant Investor Bond for five years (total investment of €950,000).
Document required for any of the investment options:
- Recent photograph
- Passport
- Identity card
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- A bank statement confirming that you own at least €2,000,000
- Documents confirming the legal provenance of the resources
- Documents confirming professional and/or business activity (such as a certificate of employment, employment history)
- Letters from the bank confirming the existence of funds for a given investment (can be bank statements not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland)
- Business and financial plan, and Irish Company Accounts, OR certificate confirming the number of shareholdings in Irish Real Estate
- Investment Trust, or deeds to property in Ireland
- Original criminal record certificate
- Receipt of payment of fees
Process for applying for the Irish Golden Visa
- Prepare and legalize all necessary documents
- Translate all documents into English
- Submit application to the Irish Evaluation Committee
- The Irish Evaluation Committee will provide you with an approval for the selected investment.
- You will need to finance the selected investment
- Approval of the Irish immigrant visa, allowing you to travel to Ireland.
- When you are in Ireland, you will be issued with a residence permit, valid for two years and renewable for an additional three years.
How to prepare to apply for the Golden Visa Ireland
Before starting the visa process you must gather the necessary documents, therefore these must be apostilled, validated before a notary, and translated into English. In addition to complying with all the requirements that Ireland demands in order to be successful in obtaining the Golden Visa.
Renewal of the investment visa
With the IIP you will follow a five-year path for your settlement in Ireland. You will be granted an initial investor visa for a period of 2 years, after which you will be able to renew the visa for another 3 years. Once you have achieved residency for a minimum of five years, and have fulfilled the necessary naturalization requirements, you and your family will be eligible for Irish citizenship.
Other countries that offer similar investment visa programs
Buying a house or apartment in Ireland for investment
Buying a house or apartment in Ireland is a dream and a great investment, because in addition to the benefits of having an investment visa, you will get a property in a beautiful, welcoming country, with friendly people, attractive towns and cities and a unique natural landscape, for this and many more; Ireland is an excellent option to make an investment in a property and also to be the owner of the Irish visa.
Residency law for real estate investment in Ireland
The law of residence by real estate investment in Ireland dictates that the foreign citizens who make an investment by acquiring a real estate in the country will obtain the visa by investment, as long as they fulfill all the requested requirements. For this they must have sufficient financial resources, be over 18 years of age, have no criminal record and clearly comply with the payment requirements imposed by the government.
Characteristics of the real estate market in Ireland
The real estate market in Ireland is not as extensive and has a shortage of housing, but you can still find from quaint rural cottages in the countryside to modern apartments in the most popular cities such as the capital Dublin, Cork or Galway where you can also find expatriate communities. Below is a range of real estate prices:
- Apartments: from €200,000 to €1,100,000.
- Houses: from €800,000 to €1,500,000.
If you are thinking of investing in Ireland, GoldPassports.eu has expert advisors who can guide you through the visa process and help you on your way. Have one of our agents call you.