If you are not eligible for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme or if you wish to start a retail, catering, personal services or similar business you should apply for Ireland business permission. This is a written permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality that allows you to establish and engage in a business in Ireland for a certain period.
If you are applying for a business permission to start a business in Ireland, you must meet the following strict criteria:
- You must have not less than €300,000 of your own money available to make an investment into business in Ireland. You will have to supply documentary evidence from your financial institution confirming that the funds are available to you.
If the funds are held in Ireland, the financial institution used by you must be regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Ireland (CBFSAI). The Financial Services Authority of Ireland is the official financial regulatory body in Ireland. - the proposed business must create employment for at least two EEA nationals for a new project or, at the very least, maintain employment in an existing business;
- the proposed business must add to the commercial activity and competitiveness of the State;
- the proposed business must be a viable trading concern and provide the applicant with sufficient income to maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without resorting to social assistance or paid employment for which a work permit would be required;
- The applicant must be in possession of a valid passport or national identity document and be of good character.
Writers, Artists and Crafts persons – while not subject to the capital or employment requirements must demonstrate clearly that they are well known/internationally renowned in their chosen field and are in a position to fully support themselves from income from their chosen craft without recourse to alternative employment and/or social assistance. Failure to clearly demonstrate this will result in refusal of the application.
Residency
Usually, a Ireland Business Permission is granted for 1 year initially.
Non-EEA nationals who are granted a business permission are entitled to live in Ireland for the duration of the business permission. They should check if they require a visa to enter Ireland.
How to apply for Ireland Business permission
You must also submit –
- Your valid passport or national identity document;
- Your registration certificate if you are already residing in the State;
- A statement of character from the police authorities of each country in which you have resided for more than six months during the 10 year period prior to your making an application;
- Business plan which addresses points (1) to (5) above. This business plan must be endorsed by a firm of accountants or a financial institution involved in venture capital.
- You must provide detailed proof of your own skills levels to undertake such a business including, where applicable, academic qualifications in the particular field, details of apprenticeships, evidence of previous business experience, all qualifications relevant to the proposed business and general experience.
- References from former employers.
- Original documentation showing the funds available to invest in the business venture must be on the financial institution’s headed paper and have been issued within two months immediately preceeding the application. In addition, each letter should confirm that the institution is regulated by the appropriate body, your name and the date of the document.
- Details of where the business will operate from, including layout specification and lease/rental plans.
What if I am approved?
If your application is approved you will be issued with a letter granting you permission to engage in business for an initial period of 12 months.
If you are residing outside the State, this letter should be presented to an Immigration Officer upon arrival in the State in order to obtain permission to enter. Following your arrival in the State you must register with your local registration office (Garda National Immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 or, for persons residing outside of the Dublin area, their local Garda Superintendent’s Office).
If your application is successful and you are already residing legally in the State you may commence your business but you must first register or renew your existing registration with your local registration office.
How do I renew my Ireland Business Permission?
Business Permission renewal applications must be made to the Business Permission Unit (address above), one month prior to the expiry of the existing period.
The following documentation must be submitted with all applications for renewal:
- Audited accounts and evidence of compliance with taxation requirements.
- All employees P60’s for the business’s operational time period.
- Bank Statements from the last 6 months relating to the business.
- Valid work permits (where applicable) for your employees.
- Tax clearance certificate
If it is established that the business in question satisfies the criteria for Business Permission, renewal of Business Permission shall be issued for a further 12 month period.
If however the criteria are not fully met the business permission will cease to exist and all conditions pertaining to such permission will cease with immediate effect without exception.
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