Guide · Investor and long-stay routes
Ireland's investor and long-stay routes, without the marketing spin.
Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme — the country's historic 'golden visa' — closed in 2023. Here is what remains for high-net-worth families and executives, and how each route typically fits into a coordinated move. Nothing on this page is legal or immigration advice.
Educational overview only. Programme eligibility and status change — always take written advice from qualified Irish immigration and tax counsel before acting.
The routes
Five paths people actually consider in this bracket.
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) — historic
The IIP, often referred to as Ireland's 'golden visa', closed to new applications in 2023. Applications filed before closure continued to be processed. There is currently no direct replacement offering the same profile.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
For senior executives and technical specialists with a qualifying Irish role and salary. A common route for US-to-Ireland transfers within multinational groups, and eligible for family reunification and eventual Stamp 4 residency.
Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
For non-EEA founders establishing a qualifying innovative business in Ireland, with funding, evaluation and residency conditions set by government. Suits founders whose relocation is tied to genuine business establishment in Ireland.
Stamp 0 — persons of independent means
A long-stay permission for individuals with substantial independent income and private health insurance. Does not permit employment or business in Ireland and does not lead directly to permanent residency, but suits many retirees and passive-income households.
Citizenship by descent
For applicants with an Irish grandparent (or a parent registered on the FBR before the applicant's birth). A parallel long-term route that removes future immigration friction entirely.
Choosing the right route
Which route usually fits which profile.
US executive relocating with a multinational
Usually best served by an employment-permit route with the receiving Irish entity. The 'investor' framing is often the wrong starting question — the employer-led route is faster and simpler.
US founder relocating with a growing company
Typically a combination of business setup, an employment permit through the Irish entity and — where the profile fits — the Startup Entrepreneur Programme. Coordinated with Irish and US tax counsel on structure.
Retiree or passive-income household
Stamp 0 is often the natural starting point, subject to meeting income and insurance requirements. Estate, pension and tax planning are the workstreams that most benefit from coordination.
Applicant of Irish descent
Where citizenship-by-descent is available, it removes the immigration variable entirely. It sits alongside — not instead of — the tax and setup work of a real move.
A high-value US-to-Ireland move
Get an early recommendation on the right route — and the right sequence around it.
Ways to work with us
Programmes suited to high-value moves
One partner across immigration, tax and business setup.
Discovery Call
Complimentary 30-minute fit and scoping conversation. No obligation to proceed.
Explore Discovery CallRelocation & Expansion Blueprint
Standalone written blueprint mapping sequencing, dependencies and provider requirements for a relocation and/or expansion.
Explore Relocation & Expansion BlueprintComplete Relocation & Business Expansion
Flagship integrated programme coordinating personal relocation and Irish business expansion end to end. Not all-inclusive or unlimited.
Explore Complete Relocation & Business ExpansionFounder Relocation & Business Setup
Coordinated managed programme for a founder relocating personally and establishing operations at destination.
Explore Founder Relocation & Business SetupFamily Relocation
Coordinated managed programme for a household relocating to a supported destination.
Explore Family Relocation
Common questions
Investor and 'golden visa' options — frequently asked.
- Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) — historically referred to as the country's 'golden visa' — closed to new applications in 2023. Applicants filed before the closure continued to be processed. There is no directly equivalent replacement, but a range of investor-, executive- and long-stay routes remain, each with its own eligibility requirements. Rules change — always confirm the current position with qualified Irish immigration counsel.
Next step
Bring the right specialists to the table in the right order.
A complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call. No obligation. A clear recommendation of the right next step.