Republic of Ireland · Processing time
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Irish Immigration Service — STEP does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
How long does the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) take to process in Ireland?
Irish Immigration Service — STEP does not publish a central processing time for this route. Use the current Irish Immigration Service — STEP service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Source checked against Irish Immigration Service — STEP on 10 September 2026.
Typical wait
Not centrally published
from complete application
Government fees
Stamp fees €300 per year; funding requirement €50,000 minimum.
Last checked
10 September 2026
Reality vs official timing
- Official clock
- No central processing clock
- Delay trigger
- No fixed delay point - use route guidance
- Source checked
- 10 September 2026
Irish Immigration Service — STEP does not publish a central processing time. Use the current Irish Immigration Service — STEP service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
What is the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)?
Residence programme for founders establishing a High Potential Start-Up in Ireland.
The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) grants residence to non-EEA founders establishing a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) in Ireland. The business must be introducing a new product or service with potential to create at least 10 jobs in 3–4 years and €1m turnover.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residence.
- Typical permit length: Initial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years.
- Indicative government fees: Stamp fees €300 per year; funding requirement €50,000 minimum.
Priority and fast-track options
The earlier range was removed after an official-source review because it was an editorial estimate, depended on a live/local queue, or combined separate appointment and decision stages.
Official source
Irish Immigration Service — STEP
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-options-for-working-in-ireland/coming-to-work-for-more-than-90-days/start-up-entrepreneur-programme-step/
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) processing time dataset", https://visaatlas.org/processing-times/ireland/step-startup-visa. Last checked 10 September 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-times
Primary source (1)
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) take to process?+
Irish Immigration Service — STEP does not publish a central processing time for this route. Use the current Irish Immigration Service — STEP service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
When does the Not centrally published clock start?+
Because no central processing time is published, there is no fixed start point. Contact the relevant authority once your application is submitted.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
The earlier range was removed after an official-source review because it was an editorial estimate, depended on a live/local queue, or combined separate appointment and decision stages.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) application as delayed?+
Because no central processing time is published for this route, there is no fixed point at which it counts as late. If your wait runs well beyond comparable cases, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Duplicate chasing tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.