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Republic of Ireland · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

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Residence programme for founders establishing a High Potential Start-Up in Ireland.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyInitial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years.
Processing time
Varies with evaluation committee review cycle.
Government fees
Stamp fees €300 per year; funding requirement €50,000 minimum.
Typical duration
Initial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Immigration Service Delivery (Ireland) ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) for Republic of Ireland is an unsponsored Ireland immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Ireland government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/ireland/step-startup-visa#answer

What is the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) in Republic of Ireland?

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) is an unsponsored Ireland route. Indicative government fees are Stamp fees €300 per year; funding requirement €50,000 minimum; indicative processing time is Varies with evaluation committee review cycle; typical duration is Initial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration Service Delivery (Ireland) on 22 June 2026.

Overview

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.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Develop HPSU business case

    Refine the business concept in consultation with Enterprise Ireland or an experienced advisor.

  2. Apply to STEP

    Submit business plan and supporting documents to the Immigration Service Delivery evaluation committee.

  3. Secure visa and travel

    Once approved, apply for an entry visa and travel to Ireland.

  4. Register and build

    Register with ISD, receive Stamp 1 permission, and execute the business plan with reviews at 2 and 5 years.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Ireland

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Ireland. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Apply for STEP ↗

    Use the official STEP page to download forms and follow the email submission and fee-payment process.

    Immigration Service Delivery · verified

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Stamp fees €300 per year; funding requirement €50,000 minimum.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Can STEP founders bring their family?+

Yes. Spouses and dependants can accompany STEP founders, with spouses on Stamp 3 (no work) or eligible to apply for their own permit.

What are the requirements for the Irish STEP visa?+

STEP is for founders of a High Potential Start-Up: a business in an internationally traded sector, introducing a genuinely new product or service, with the potential to create at least 10 jobs and €1m in sales within three to four years. You need at least €50,000 in funding committed to the business and a credible business plan. Retail, catering, and similar local-service businesses do not qualify. Always confirm the current criteria with Immigration Service Delivery before applying.

How much money do I need for the STEP visa?+

The minimum is €50,000 committed to the business, and it can come from the founder, a business angel, a venture fund, or a combination. That figure is investment into the company rather than a fee. On top of it, residence registration costs €300 per year. Treat the €50,000 as a floor, not a guarantee of approval — the evaluation committee still assesses whether the start-up is genuinely high-potential.

How long does the STEP visa take to lead to long-term residence in Ireland?+

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme grants an initial 2-year permission that is renewable and leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years. The business plan is reviewed at the 2-year and 5-year points.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Ireland

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration Service Delivery (Ireland)

Last checked: 22 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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