Propose an innovative high-potential start-up capable of creating 10 Irish jobs and €1 million in sales within three years. It must be led by an experienced team, headquartered and controlled in Ireland and less than five years old. These are potential-growth criteria, not an initial requirement to have already created 10 jobs. The first principal applicant needs at least €50,000 in available funding, with evidence of its source. For the same venture, each second or subsequent non-family principal applicant needs at least €30,000; this is not a €30,000 alternative for the first applicant. Current official STEP guidance does not accept further applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens. Do not infer that other nationality alone guarantees programme eligibility. Pay the non-refundable €350 application fee in full by electronic fund transfer; applications are not processed before full payment. Under the linked September 2023 guidelines, this covers the principal applicant and nominated family members. Proposals are evaluated quarterly by a committee; the current official page gives no fixed processing time in days, weeks or months.
Pay the non-refundable €350 application fee in full by electronic fund transfer; applications are not processed before full payment. Under the linked September 2023 guidelines, this covers the principal applicant and nominated family members.≈ $378
Proposals are evaluated quarterly by a committee; the current official page gives no fixed processing time in days, weeks or months.
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Source-backed requirements
Qualification
(2)Innovative Business Proposal
MandatoryPropose an innovative high-potential start-up capable of creating 10 Irish jobs and €1 million in sales within three years. It must be led by an experienced team, headquartered and controlled in Ireland and less than five years old. These are potential-growth criteria, not an initial requirement to have already created 10 jobs.
Verified officialMinimum Funding Requirement
MandatoryThe first principal applicant needs at least €50,000 in available funding, with evidence of its source. For the same venture, each second or subsequent non-family principal applicant needs at least €30,000; this is not a €30,000 alternative for the first applicant.
Verified official
Preparation
(1)Good Character
DocumentMandatoryBe of good character and have no criminal convictions in any jurisdiction. Provide genuine good-character evidence required by the STEP guidelines.
Verified official
Application
(2)Nationality Restrictions
MandatoryCurrent official STEP guidance does not accept further applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens. Do not infer that other nationality alone guarantees programme eligibility.
Verified officialApplication Fee
MandatoryPay the non-refundable €350 application fee in full by electronic fund transfer; applications are not processed before full payment. Under the linked September 2023 guidelines, this covers the principal applicant and nominated family members.
Verified official
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Source citations
STEP Guidelines — September2023edition currently linked by ISD
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)
Funding principal50k; eachadditionalnonfamilyprincipal30k. HPSUcapacity10jobs/EUR1msaleswithin3yr;experiencedteam/IrelandHQcontrol/less5yr. Applicationfee350coversprincipal+nominatedfamily.
Irish Immigration — Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Irish Immigration Service Delivery
Ireland STEP (updated Oct 14, 2025): application fee EUR 350 non-refundable; EUR 50,000 funding; quarterly committee evaluation; no applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens.
Official links
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