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Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

IrelandStarting a business

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

The programme is for non-EU nationals establishing and operating an innovative business in Ireland on a full-time basis. The IMI record describes it as an entrepreneur residence programme for startup entrepreneurs, but does not explicitly state whether freelancers, sole traders, or other business profiles are eligible.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Eligibility for freelancers, sole traders, or other business profiles beyond startup entrepreneurs is not explicitly stated.
  • program_overview
    The Ireland Entrepreneur Residence (STEP or officially Ireland Startup Entrepreneur Programme) allows non-EU nationals with €50,000 in secured funding to establish and operate an innovative business in Ireland on a full-time basis.

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

Applicants must present an innovative business proposal suitable for establishment in Ireland. The business must be innovative and the applicant must work on the approved business on a full-time basis. The source does not specify requirements for a business plan, company registration, clients, contracts or job creation.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Specific requirements for business plan, company registration, clients, contracts, economic activity, or job creation are not stated.
  • how_to_qualify
    Must present an innovative business proposal suitable for establishment in Ireland
  • how_to_qualify
    Must work on the approved business on a full-time basis

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

The central financial requirement is €50,000 in available funding for establishing an innovative business enterprise in Ireland. The record does not state income, revenue, or other viability evidence requirements.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Income, revenue, or other viability evidence requirements are not stated.
  • how_to_qualify
    €50,000 in available funding for establishing an innovative business enterprise in Ireland

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

The holder may work exclusively on their approved business venture. They cannot be employed in any other capacity while holding this permission. Spouses and dependants may be included in the application under standard family reunification provisions.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The record does not specify whether the holder may engage in other self-employed activities or freelance work outside the approved business.
  • program_overview
    Successful applicants receive permission to reside in Ireland while working exclusively on their approved business venture.
  • how_to_qualify
    Cannot be employed in any other capacity while holding this permission
  • program_overview
    Spouses and dependents may be included in the application under standard family reunification provisions.

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

STEP participants receive initial permission for two years, renewable for a further three years if the business is progressing. After five years of reckonable residence (at least one continuous year immediately before the application, plus a total of four years during the preceding eight years), the entrepreneur may apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation. The source does not state the application sequence or approval process, or a permanent-residence progression.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The application sequence and approval process are not specified.
  • Permanent-residence progression is not established by the cited evidence.
  • citizenship_timeline_and_requirements
    STEP participants receive initial permission for two years, renewable for a further three years if the business is progressing.
  • citizenship_timeline_and_requirements
    After five years of reckonable residence (at least one continuous year immediately before the application, plus a total of four years during the preceding eight years), the entrepreneur may apply for Irish citizenship by naturalization.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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