Ireland Business Visa for Nigerian Citizens

Introduction to the Ireland Business Visa for Nigerian Citizens

The Irish Business visa permits Nigerian entrepreneurs to visit or stay in Ireland for business purposes. You’ll need to apply for this visa to: 

• Attend a business meeting
• Negotiate or sign a business deal
• Set up or expand a business and run it. 

Why Should You Set Up a Business in Ireland?

Here are some reasons why Nigerian entrepreneurs should consider setting up a business in Ireland:

Favourable Business Environment

Businesses in Ireland enjoy the lowest corporate tax in the world. Companies are taxed at a 12.5% rate. Business income from abroad is tax-free, but this applies only you spend less than 180 days in Ireland in a year. Your company may be eligible for a 30% tax credit for all expenses regarding research and development after 3 years. 

If your company has intellectual property rights over an invention or patent, your income based on that invention will be tax-free. With such tax cuts, your business can grow in Ireland without many financial constraints. 

The Irish government wants to attract more entrepreneurs to Ireland, which is why it is an easy place to do business. The Economist ranked Ireland 6th in Europe and 15th in the world out of 82 countries for ease of doing business. 

Businesses in Ireland also enjoy government support. The Irish government set up the Irish Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA Ireland) and Enterprise Ireland (EI) to assist foreign businesses in developing and expanding to the global market. EI can partner with you to win export sales and upscale your business in Ireland. 

These are some of the pull factors bringing top international companies to Ireland. Currently, Accenture Plc, Medtronic, and Trane Technologies have headquarters in Ireland. Tech giants such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Facebook have offices in Ireland. 

Skilled Labour Market

Ireland has a young workforce, with 40% of the population aged 15-44. Again, Ireland is home to skilled immigrants from diverse backgrounds, thus promoting diversity in your business.

Types of Irish Business Visas for Nigerian Citizens

Nigerian entrepreneurs can apply for two types of business visas, the short-stay business visa and the Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), to visit Ireland for business purposes. 

Short-stay Business Visa

This visa is for Nigerians wanting to conduct business-related activities in Ireland for 90 days or less. The visa is not extendable. With the Short-stay Business Visa Ireland, you can attend business conferences, meet with business partners, scout for locations to site your business, or perhaps check out a business currently running in Ireland. While this visa is for business, you can use it to work for 14 days or less. 

Ireland Business Visa Requirements

To get an Ireland Short-stay Business Visa, you must show:

• Proof that you finance your trip to Ireland and back. 
• Evidence that you have plans of returning to Nigeria once your visa expires. 
• Proof that you are Nigerian. 

Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

The Startup Entrepreneur Programme is a long-stay visa that permits Nigerians to start or move a branch of their business to Ireland. The STEP was a visa rolled out by the Irish government to attract quality and innovative entrepreneurs to Ireland. Unlike the Short-stay Business Visa, which is valid for 90 days, the STEP is valid for 2 years and is renewable. For the STEP visa, you don’t necessarily need to start a business that no one has started before. However, you do have to ensure the business idea is viable and can sell in Ireland. 

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the STEP programme, you must show that:

• You have not been convicted of any criminal offence in Nigeria or any other country you have lived in for 6 months in the past 10 years. 
• You have a viable business plan. 
• You have access to at least €50,000 to start up your business.
• You plan on starting the business in accordance with the business plan. 
• You must run the business full-time and not work in any other profession. 
• You have enough funds to take care of yourself and your family if you are coming with them.
• Your business idea can generate at least €1 million after 3 years. 
• Your business has high potential and can create at least 10 employment opportunities in Ireland. 
• You have a team of experts that can help you realise your business goals. 

Entrepreneurs in catering, personal services, and retail cannot apply for the STEP Visa. Your business must be a manufacturing or a service providing business one that can trade internationally. Ireland is looking to attract tech and product manufacturing businesses. 

Comparing the Short-stay Business Visa and the STEP Visa

Similarities

Targets Entrepreneurs: Both visas were rolled out specifically for entrepreneurs. They are both avenues to create an economic relationship between Nigeria and Ireland. 

Targets Non-EU Citizens: The two visas are specifically for non-EU citizens. EU citizens already have free movement within the EU region and do not need a visa to carry out business activities. 

Temporary: Both visas give you only temporary access to Ireland. The Short-stay Business Visa permits you to stay for a maximum of 90 days, while the STEP gives you 2 years, although this is renewable and has a pathway to citizenship. 

Strictly for Business: Both visas are specifically for business-related activities. You are not permitted to do anything else with business visas. They are not employment permits; hence, you do not have the right to seek employment in Ireland. 

Differences

Family Reunion: You cannot include your family members on your Short-Stay Business Visa. If you want your family to travel with you, they must make their own visa applications and pay the required fees. However, with the STEP programme, you can include your family members in your application without paying an extra cost. Family member here refers to your spouse/partner or dependent child. 

Extending Your Stay: You are expected to leave Ireland once your Short-stay Business Visa expires. The visa is not renewable. On the other hand, the STEP visa has opportunities for extension. After 2 years, the evaluation committee will assess your business to determine whether it has met its objectives. If their assessment is positive, your visa will be renewed for 3 years. 

Pathway to Permanent Residency/Citizenship: After 5 years on the STEP visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Ireland. A year later, you can then apply for citizenship. 

Complexity: The process for applying for the Short-stay Business visa is straightforward, while the STEP visa has complex eligibility requirements. 

The type of business visa you need to apply for depends on what you or your business needs. If you are still making contacts and trying to check out Ireland’s viability, you can apply for the Short-stay Business Visa. If you think you have all it takes to set up a business in Ireland or are looking for an opportunity to expand what you already have in Nigeria, then you should apply for the STEP visa. 

Required Documents for the Short-stay Business Visa

Submit the following documents to prove you’re eligible for the Short-stay Business Visa:

Financial Documents

• Bank statements showing you can fund your trip to Ireland. You’ll need the bank statement of anyone who sponsors your trip. 
• Travel insurance that covers at least €25,000 for illness and €25,000 for accidents. 
• Evidence that you have paid the visa fee. 

Business Documents

• An application letter explaining the reason for your trip to Ireland. The letter must outline your trip dates, details of any relative living in the EU, accommodation information, and an undertaking to abide by the terms of your visa. 
• An invitation letter from the company you intend to visit is required. This letter must bear your planned travel dates and show that there has been previous correspondence before your visa application. The letter must also state if the company is funding your trip. If you are visiting multiple companies, you’ll need to get invitation letters from them all. 
• An invitation letter from the company you intend to visit is required. This letter must bear your planned travel dates and show that there has been previous correspondence before your visa application. The letter must also state if the company is funding your trip. If you are visiting multiple companies, you’ll need to get invitation letters from them all. 

Personal Documents

• Hotel or Airbnb booking receipt to show you have a place to stay. If someone is housing you, you must get a letter from them stating whether they’re supporting your travel financially, their address, your visiting dates, and their proof of address, like a bank statement or utility bill.
• Two recent passports. Write your name and visa application ID number behind the passports. 
• ECOWAS passport valid for at least 6 months after the expiration of your visa. 
• Signed, dated, and completed application summary. 

Required Documents for the STEP Visa

Financial Documents

• 3 months bank statement with at least a €50,000 balance. If you want to start a joint venture, then each stakeholder must show a balance of at least €30,000 in addition to yours. 
• Evidence the money in your account is transferable to Ireland and convertible to Euros. If you are using your savings, you can prove this by submitting a letter from the Central Bank of Nigeria stating the account holder’s name, the amount in the account, and that the funds can be used in Ireland. 
•  application. 
• Evidence you have paid the visa fee.

Business Documents

• A detailed business plan outlining how your business will benefit Ireland, your sales and advertising strategy, how you intend to allocate funds to various sectors of your business, anticipated challenges and how you plan to solve them, and your resume and company testimonial or customers’ letter of intent. 
• Audited business bank account if you are expanding your business from Nigeria to Ireland. 
• You have the expertise or a team of experts to help you actualise your business goals. 

Personal Documents

• Valid ECOWAS passport.
• Two recent passports. 
• Marriage and birth certificates are required if you want to include your family in your proof of the source of your money. Your money can come from personal savings, Venture Capital or Business Angels, Business loans, or Irish State Agency grants. 
• Police Character Certificate from Nigeria and every country you spent at least 6 months in the last 10 years. You can also get a character certificate from risk management companies like Deloitte, Control Risks, and McKinsey & Company.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

Here is how to apply for the Short-stay Business Visa

• Visit the AVATS platform that the Irish government uses to manage all visa applications. 
• Create an account.
• Select the “Short-stay C Visa.”
• Complete the application form.
• Attach your supporting documents.
• Print out the application summary.
• Sign and date it. 
• Upload to the platform. 
• Pay the visa fee. 
• Submit your application. 
• Schedule a biometric capture appointment with VFS Global in Abuja or Lagos. You must also bring your original documents to this appointment. Add an address where your documents will be returned after visa processing. 
• Travel to Ireland if your application is approved. 

Here’s how to apply for the STEP Visa

There are two application stages for the STEP Visa application. In the first stage, the evaluation committee assesses your business proposal for feasibility and viability. If they approve your proposal, you can move to the second stage, which is a visa/residence permit application. 

Stage 1

• Write a detailed business proposal. Structure your proposal to fit any of the ones contained in this Irish sample business plan.
• Prepare your supporting documents. 
• Download, fill out and sign the application form from the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). 
• Pay the nonrefundable application fee. How to pay Ireland visa fee is through electronic transfer. When filling out the details of the transfer, add STEP—[PASSPORT NUMBER] in the reference section. 
• Send your completed application form and supporting documents via email to [email protected]. 

Upon submission, the evaluation committee will review your application. Your application will be recommended to the Minister of Justice if they are satisfied. You will get an email informing you of their decision. This process can take a long time because the committee sits once in a quarter to review applications. 

Stage 2

• Transfer the needed money to a bank account in Ireland. The bank must be under the control of the Central Bank of Ireland. 
• Get an affidavit that attesting that you are of good character from a lawyer practicing in Ireland. All your dependents above 16 will also need to supply this. 
• Acquire private medical insurance valid for at least one year and covers up to €25,000. 
• You’ll get an invite and instructions to apply for residency under the STEP visa. 

Processing Times and Fees

Processing Time

• A short-stay Business Visa takes 8 weeks to be processed.
• The evaluation committee meets quarterly to review business plans under the STEP visa. If the committee has already met before your application is submitted, it will be moved to the next quarter. 
• The STEP-based residency can take up to 12 weeks to process. 

Ireland Business Visa Cost

• €60 for the single entry Short-stay Business Visa.
• €100 for the multiple entry Short-stay Business Visa.
• €350 for the STEP Visa. 

Tips for a Successful Visa Application

To get a successful visa application, you’ll need to take note of the following: 

Accurate Documentation: You need to submit correct and complete documentation to prove you meet the eligibility criteria for your visa. Applications submitted without complete or accurate documentation will be rejected whether the omission was intentional or a mistake. Do not submit forged documents, like travel documents and bank statements. This not only leads to a visa denial but also a visa ban. 

Valid Documents: Your identity documents must be up to date. If you are applying for a short-stay business visa, your ECOWAS passport should be valid for up to 6 months after you leave Ireland. It should be at least valid for a year if you are applying for the STEP Visa. 

Proof of Ties to Home Country: If you are applying for a Short-stay Business Visa, you must show that you intend to return to Nigeria. This will convince immigration officials that you will not overstay your visa. 

Clear Purpose for Visiting Ireland: Your reason for going to Ireland must be explicit and detailed. Include invitation letters, information about your trip, such as accommodation plans, and details about any relatives in Ireland or the EU.

Enlisting the services of an experienced immigration lawyer can increase your chances of success. At Immigration Advice Service, our lawyers are dedicated to ensuring your visa success by providing expert immigration guidance. 

Benefits of Obtaining an Ireland Business Visa

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting an Irish business visa: 

Opportunity for Networking: You can access the European market with an Irish business visa. Nigerian entrepreneurs on the STEP Visa can utilise this access to check out other business opportunities and link up with European entrepreneurs. 

Access to Quality Education: Ireland is a haven for Nigerian citizens who want quality education for their children. Any child resident in Ireland is entitled to free education in public schools for the primary and secondary levels. 

Healthcare: Ireland residents can access public or private health insurance, which drives down the cost of healthcare. 

Comprehensive Support for Your Business Immigration Journey

IAS is an immigration service provider dedicated to helping your Ireland immigration dreams come true. We have a team of experienced lawyers that are experts in the Nigerian and Irish laws. They are fully licensed to practice in both countries and can provide you with the support you need during your visa application. Enlisting their service will improve your chances of getting a visa approval. 

Below are some of the services offered by IAS:

Initial Consultation to Full Representation: Your journey with us begins with a consultation session. This is where we get to know you and discuss your Ireland immigration goals. We advise you on the best route to take to actualise your goal. Next is to help you gather your documents and then submit your application on your behalf. In the event of any refusal by the Irish Embassy, we can also represent you during appeals in court. 

Immigration Journey Planning: If you are applying for a STEP Visa, you have the opportunity to settle permanently in Ireland. We help you plan your journey from getting the STEP Visa to residency and then citizenship. Our expert lawyers are available to ensure you comply with all the regulations that apply to your visa. 

Business Immigration: We can help you set up a business in Ireland by ensuring you meet the eligibility requirements. Our team can also help you secure visas for founders and staff. 
Concierge Service: Moving from one country to another can be challenging, but we can take this stress off your shoulders. With our concierge services, we can move your belongings, find accommodation, and even find nearby schools for your children.