The global mobility landscape is always changing and a lot of people are looking for opportunities so that they can fulfill their dream of living and investing in a foreign country that is why Ireland is very attractive to people looking for these kinds of opportunities because of the good economy and rich cultural heritage and the Immigrant Investor program played a huge role in this but it stopped accepting new applications on the 15th of February, 2023 so in this article we will look at the Immigrant Investor program and see the opportunities it had.
What is the Immigrant Investor Program?
The Irish government developed the program for non-EEA citizens who wanted to invest in Ireland. It targeted individuals with sufficient financial resources and a reputable background, granting successful applicants legal residency in Ireland, which automatically qualified them for citizenship.
It is important to know that the Program was not a government-controlled plan but it was more focused on private investments, with all responsibilities falling on the people involved in the agreement.
The Four Routes of the Immigrant Investor Program
The Program offered four different routes depending on your preference:
1. Enterprise Investment
This route was good for people who wanted to invest in existing businesses or new enterprises within Ireland and the key specifics for the plan were:
- The option to invest in a single Irish enterprise or multiple enterprises.
- The opportunity to invest in primary care centers and social housing.
- Investment under the investor’s name.
- Investment in businesses that were registered and had headquarters in Ireland.
- A minimum investment amount of up to €1 million, with a duration of 3 years.
Required Documents: Applicants for this route needed to provide a comprehensive business plan showing the impact of the investment on the country and the expected gains. The INIS website offered a business plan template, and investors in an existing business also needed to provide the company’s audited accounts.
2. Investment Fund
This route closely looked like the Enterprise Fund, with the only difference being that the primary focus was on small or medium-sized enterprises in Ireland. The minimum investment amount was also €1 million, with a duration of 3 years.
3. Real Estate Investment
For those with an interest in real estate, this route provided an opportunity to invest in lower-risk real estate ventures that generated regular income and reduced negative equity. The specifications included:
- Investment in an Irish Real Estate Fund.
- A minimum investment of €2 million.
- A commitment to maintain the investment for a minimum of three years.
- The flexibility to divert investment funds after the initial 3 years.
Required Documents: Successful applicants for this route needed to provide a share certificate and a letter from their broker, showing details like the number of REIT shares purchased, prices, purchase dates, and the total investment amount. These documents were important for getting permission to live in Ireland.
4. Endowments
This route complemented the Real Estate Investment option and allowed individuals to invest in philanthropic endeavors and industries that offered public benefits. and the key specifications were:
- The endowment must have a positive impact on the community.
- Income generation was not a requirement.
- A minimum investment of €500,000 that was referred to as a philanthropic contribution.
- The possibility of group investments with a minimum individual investment of €400,000 for groups that had about five or more people.
Required Documents: Applicants needed to submit a detailed statement explaining how their investment would benefit the community and could use a similar sample business plan for Enterprise Investment available on the INIS website for this purpose.
General Requirements for The Immigrant Investor Program
Certain requirements apply to all investors irrespective of the route they choose, such as:
– Evidence Of Net Worth
Applicants needed to demonstrate their financial capacity to invest by providing proof of their other investments, income, or loans received within the past 12 months. When submitting investment proofs, they also had to show evidence of the source of funds invested. For loans, applicants were required to specify the amounts borrowed and their repayment schedules.
– Evidence Of Good Character
Applicants had to prove their good character by obtaining a police statement from their country of residence and from any other country where they had lived for more than six months within the past 10 months. Accompanying family members, unless under 16 years of age, also needed to provide evidence of good character. Alternatively, applicants could undergo screening by a reputable international risk management organization or security screening.
Immigrant Investor Program Application Process
The application process for the Immigrant Investor Program started with completing the application form. This form provided insights into the available investment options. Once the form was accurately filled out, it was submitted alongside all supporting documents.
To start the processing, applicants were to pay an application fee of €1,500. Importantly, funds were not to be transferred before approval of the application.
The Ireland Immigrant Investor Program Evaluation Committee, comprising high-ranking government officials, undertook the task of evaluating applications. They took time to properly check all the supporting documents and investment details.
In cases of a positive review, the committee recommended the applicant to the Minister For Justice and Equality, who made the final decision. A positive recommendation from the Evaluation Committee usually leads to the approval of the application.
Upon confirmation of the transfer of funds, applicants received permission to stay in Ireland, granting them the legal right to live and work in the country. Family members that go with the primary applicant also got approval for Irish Golden Visas.
Family Members under the Immigrant Investor Program
The Immigrant Investor Program allowed primary applicants to bring dependent family members to Ireland. This group comprised spouses or civil partners, unmarried partners, and children under the age of 18. Children aged 18 to 24 could also qualify if they were unmarried and financially dependent on the primary applicant. Applicants needed to provide marriage or civil partnership certificates to demonstrate relationships and birth certificates for their children.
Processing Time for the Immigrant Investor Program
Most times, decisions on most Ireland Immigrant Investor Program applications took approximately 3-4 months to process but it was not uncommon for some applications to experience longer processing times.
To expedite the process and reduce delays, we advised applicants to submit properly checked and complete applications. In many cases, the Evaluation Committee asked for additional information not included in the initial application, emphasizing the importance of providing comprehensive documentation from the beginning.
Immigration Status under the Immigrant Investor Program
The Immigrant Investor Program granted successful applicants Stamp 4 status on their passports. Considered one of Ireland’s most sought-after immigration permits, Stamp 4 was usually reserved for individuals who had worked in Ireland for a minimum of two years.
With a Stamp 4 permit, recipients enjoyed the freedom to work in any profession, own businesses, and pursue studies in Ireland. The initial residency period spanned two years, with the option to renew for an additional three years. Applicants had to meet the eligibility criteria set by the Immigrant Investor Program to qualify for renewal after the initial two years.
While the Immigrant Investor Program may no longer be accepting new applications, the legacy of this initiative lives on in the stories of those who successfully embarked on their journeys to Ireland.