DIRECT FROM THE DEVELOPER
What is the Immigrant Investor Programme?
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) is a pathway for non-EEA nationals to secure immigration permission to Ireland based on long-term investment of a sum of money in a project that has been approved for that purpose by the Department of Justice and other Government stakeholders.
The IIP was introduced by the Irish Government in 2012 to encourage inward investment for the creation of business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme is designed to encourage investors and business professionals from outside the European Economic Area to avail of opportunities of investing and locating their business interests in Ireland and acquire secure residency status in Ireland.
Applicants to the IIP must be high net worth individuals with a personal wealth of at least €2 million. The IIP requires applicants to invest a minimum of €1 million for a minimum of three years. The funds used for an investment must be from the applicant’s resources and not financed through a loan or other such facility.
The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors.
- Enterprise Investment: A minimum of €1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for at least three years
- Investment Fund: A minimum of €1 million invested in an approved investment fund for at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank
- Real Estate Investment Trusts: A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for at least three years
- Endowment: A minimum of €500,000 (or €400,000 where 5 or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland.
Investors should note that the Irish Government has no responsibility for the performance of an investment. Investments are a private matter between the parties concerned and it is the responsibility of the investor, as in any business decision, to assess the potential success of their venture. Approval of an application under the IIP is not an endorsement of a particular project. What it means is that the investor has been approved and the investment meets the objectives of the IIP.