Immigrant Investor Programme

The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) is an scheme designed to facilitate non-EEA nationals who wish to make investments in the State.

Potential investors must be of ‘good character’ and have a large amount of money to invest.

There are four different routes within the Immigrant Investor Programme: Enterprise Investment, Investment Fund, Real Estate Investment Funds and Endowments.

The IIP also provides a gateway towards secure residency in Ireland, acting as a smooth route towards Irish citizenship.

Investors need to be aware that the government of Ireland has no responsibility for the performance of an investment. Any investment under this scheme is a private matter among the parties concerned.

If an application made under the Immigrant Investor Programme is accepted, it should not be considered an endorsement of the project, rather the investment proposal is of a nature which meets the objectives of the IIP.

The Enterprise Investment is suitable for those who wish to invest in a new enterprise or in existing businesses in Ireland.

The general guidelines for the Enterprise Investment are as follows:

• Minimum of € 1 million to invest in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years
• The investment is intended for a start-up or an existing business registered and headquartered in Ireland
• The investment can be in a single enterprise or spread over a number of Irish enterprises
• The investment must be made in the name of the individual who is seeking residency in Ireland
• The applicant can invest in social housing and primary care centres

Investment Fund

The Investment Fund is for those who intend on investing in a small or medium-sized enterprise in Ireland.

The investor must have an investment of at least € 1 million to invest for a minimum of three years, and all of the funds must be invested in Ireland.

As the name suggests, this investment fund is for the purposes of real estate. Specifically, the Real Estate Investment Fund is for those looking to make a lower-risk investment in property which reduces negative equity and generates a regular income stream for the investors.

The guidelines for this investment are:

• Minimum of € 2 million to invest in any Irish Real Estate Investment Fund
• Investment must be held and retained for at least three years
• Investment funds can be diverted on an approved percentage after the initial three-year period
• There is no requirement to maintain investment after five years

Endowments

This investment is for those who wish to engage in philanthropy and other endeavours which benefit the public at large.

The guidelines for the endowment investment are as follows:

• Minimum amount to invest of €) 500,000, which is considered as a philanthropic contribution
• No expected financial returns
• This investment allows for a group of 5 or more investors with a minimum investment of no less than €400,000 per investor
• The endowment must be viable to the public and benefit the community

The application process for the Immigrant Investor Programme typically involves the following steps:

• Complete the application form for approval for any of the investment options
• Gather required documentation and submit the application
• Pay the non-refundable fee of €1,500
• The Ireland National Immigration Service considers the application

Bear in mind that the funds can only be transferred to the preferred investment option after approval of the application.

Once the proof of the transfer of funds has been submitted, you will be granted with official permission to remain in the State. With permission to remain, you will have the right to live and work in Ireland.

It is important to note that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will spontaneously exchange personal data of successful IIP applicants with the jurisdiction of tax residence of successful applicant’s in support of the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard.

The Immigration Advice Service is a highly experienced immigration firm with offices throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. If you would like to find out more about the Immigrant Investor Programme, we are here to help.

We can work with you to formulate your application to the very highest standard, maximising your chances of a successful outcome.

Please call us now on (+353) 061 518 025 to speak with one of our expert immigration specialists.

Yes, Hong Kong and Chinese nationals are actively encouraged to apply for the Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme.

In fact, of all the applicants for the ‘golden visa programme’, 93% are Chinese nationals from Hong Kong and the mainland.

The Immigrant Investor Programme is particularly attractive to Hong Kongers given that Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the European Union. Also, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers have studied in Catholic schools, such as the Wah Yan College, which are run by Irish priests.

The Investor Visa can act as the ideal residency program for those who wish to make Ireland their home long-term. You can extend your residency permission indefinitely as a national of Hong Kong or China or, alternatively, you can apply for Irish citizenship after you have spent at least five years living in Ireland under the Immigrant Investor Programme.

One of the main requirements for the investor programme is the good character requirement.

Ireland is a safe and reputable country and wishes to attract international businesspeople of good standing and character.

You will need to provide certain evidence in your application which demonstrates that you are a person of good character.

Some of the evidence which you may need to provide includes:

• Statement of good character issued by the police in your home country as well as each jurisdiction which you have lived in for six months or more in the ten years preceding the date of the application for the Investor Visa
• Whilst not an absolute requirement, it is also recommended to have a screening by a reputable international risk management or security screening organisation

Certain family members will be able to join you in Ireland under the Immigrant Investor Programme.

Your spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner, children under the age of 18 and children between the ages of 18 and 24 who are financially dependent on you and are not married nor in a relationship.

Successful applicants and their eligible family members may be eligible for a discount on educational expenses. A maximum of €50,000 on the successful applicant’s investment for educational expenses could be discounted. This would be indicated on in the original investment application, supported with a letter of offer from a University of Institute of Technology.

If your application is accepted, you will be granted with stamp 4 status in Ireland. Stamp 4 is one of the most sought-after immigration permissions in Ireland, and is usually reserved for those who have spent at least two years in Ireland under a work permit.

Under stamp 4 you will have access to state funds and services, as well as the freedom to work in any profession, operate businesses and study.

The initial residency period will be issued for two years, and this can be renewed for a further three years at the end of the 2-year period. In order to extend their time in Ireland, the applicant must fulfil the immigration conditions attached to being a member of the Immigrant Investor Programme, including having a clean criminal record.