Sohrab Vazir
Consultant | Founder | Global Citizen
Ireland Startup Visa
Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Ireland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) offers a unique opportunity for innovative entrepreneurs from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to start and grow their businesses in a vibrant, supportive environment. Under STEP, applicants are required to invest a minimum of €50,000 in their business and must demonstrate that their venture is innovative, scalable, and has the potential to create jobs and economic growth in Ireland.
Successful applicants will receive a residency permit, allowing them and their family members to live and work in Ireland while developing their business. With Ireland’s access to the European market, skilled workforce, and strong support for startups, STEP provides a gateway to scaling businesses in the EU.
Key benefits:
- Residency for you and your family.
- Access to EU markets and funding.
- Low corporate tax rates and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- No requirement for initial employment creation, though business viability is essential.
Eligibility
Innovation
Your business idea must be demonstrably innovative. The STEP Programme targets High-Potential Startups (HPSUs) that introduce something new to the market.
- Introduces a new or innovative product or service to global markets.
- Involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services.
- Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within 3 years.
- Managed by a competent team.
- Headquartered and controlled in Ireland.
- Less than five years old from the date of registration.
€50,000 Minimum Investment
You must have access to a minimum of €50,000 to invest in your business. This can be either self-funded or sourced from third parties.
You will be required to provide evidence verifying both the amount and the origin of these funds as part of your application.
No Criminal Record
Applicants must have no criminal record. A clean background is a fundamental requirement of the STEP Programme.
You will be required to provide documentation as evidence of good standing as part of your application.
Good Character
You must be a person of good character. The Evaluation Committee, appointed by the Minister of Justice, will assess your application holistically.
- No involvement in financial crime, fraud, or corruption.
- No sanctions or disqualifications from regulated activities in any jurisdiction.
- Demonstrated integrity and credibility as a founder.
Business Requirements
Your business must qualify as a High-Potential Startup (HPSU) as defined by the Irish Government. It must:
- Introduce a new or innovative product or service to global markets.
- Be involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services.
- Be capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within 3 years.
- Be managed by a competent and credible team.
- Be headquartered and controlled in Ireland.
- Be less than five years old from the date of registration (per Article 22 of GBER).
The Process
Eligibility
Development
Plan
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm you meet all requirements including access to a minimum of €50,000 in investment funds. Citizens of Russia and Belarus are currently ineligible to apply for the STEP Programme.
Ireland Startup Visa Consultation
I do not provide free consultations.
All prospective clients are required to book a paid feedback session (£99) to assess the feasibility of their idea before accessing further services such as business plan services.
This policy is firm and non-negotiable.
Per the STEP rules, you must have access to a minimum of €50,000. Please do not book an evaluation call if you do not meet this requirement as it makes you ineligible.
Working With Me | The Process
Call
Review
Step 1 · Required
Evaluation Call
£99
1 hour · Commercial assessment of your business idea against Ireland's STEP Programme criteria before further investment.
Note: If your idea isn't ready, I'll advise you not to proceed with further services.
For many founders, the evaluation call alone provides enough clarity and direction. Further services are available, but never assumed.
Step 2 · Optional
Business Plan ReviewFull Review of Your STEP Business Plan
£800
Full, detailed feedback on your plan — covering innovation, viability, financial review, marketing strategy, format, structure, and GTM assessment. Only available following a completed Evaluation Call.
1. Idea / Business Assessment | Start Here
Many founders invest significant time, money, and energy into developing a business idea without first understanding whether the concept demonstrates sufficient innovation, scalability, and commercial potential.
The mandatory evaluation session is designed to help founders gain early clarity before making costly mistakes or progressing in the wrong direction.
No business plan or formal documents are required. The session focuses on the business idea itself and its overall commercial strength.
Commercial assessment of your business idea against Ireland's STEP Programme criteria before further investment.
Idea Feedback
Innovation Evaluation
Business Plan Guidance
Financial Evaluation
2. Additional Services
Weak or poorly structured business plan can undermine even strong business ideas
The Business Plan Review service is designed for founders who already have a draft business plan and require detailed commercial and strategic feedback before progressing further.
This includes feedback on innovation, scalability, market positioning, and overall business clarity to help strengthen the proposition and identify potential weaknesses early.
Full, detailed feedback on your STEP business plan with expert commercial review.
Innovation Assessment
Business Plan Guidance
Financial Review
Marketing Plan Evaluation
CV Review
3 Video Call Sessions
Format & Structure Review
Strategy Evaluation
GTM Assessment
As a former migrant founder, my specialism lies in helping international entrepreneurs
I moved to the UK alone on a student visa in pursuit of further education when I was 17 years old.
After completing my master’s degree in international law, I was endorsed by Newcastle University for two business visas (formerly the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa replaced by the current Start-up Visa). I obtained several entrepreneur visas until receiving British citizenship.
Milestones
My company, StudyFlats, through which I obtained British citizenship, achieved the following:
- Business development & property portfolio growth from 2 to 30+ UK cities (10,000 students rooms)
- 1,000+ students consulted & assisted
- Enquiries from 50+ countries
- 2 endorsements from Newcastle University for business visas (annually limited to 20 out of 6,000 students)
- Hired 13 people across 4 jobs in the UK
To summarise: I know & have been through the journey…!
Expert Opinion
I scaled a tech business to 30+ UK cities and obtained British Citizenship through the entrepreneurship route. I know what innovation looks like — and what it doesn't.
Business Evaluation
I assess your idea's commercial viability, innovation credentials, and scalability against Ireland's STEP Programme criteria — and give you an honest answer, not a comfortable one.
Solid Plan
A strong business plan is the single most important factor in a successful STEP application. I help you structure, refine, and strengthen yours before it reaches the Evaluation Committee.
🗨️ Ireland Startup Visa | FAQ
The Irish Startup Visa, known as the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) is a visa pathway for non-EEA entrepreneurs who wish to set up an innovative business in Ireland.
No, nobody can guarantee a visa approval.
Be cautious about any indiviudal or entity promising guarantees.
The final decision is made by a committee appointed by the Minister of Justice.
Yes. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business or a medium organisation, I am able to help.
No, I work with a very broad range of businesses.
However, there are certain exceptions & specific types of industries which I may not be able to assist with due to ethical or legal considerations.
No, I am not taking business plan writing projects due to a limited schedule.
I encourage all founders to write their business plan, ideally with my guidance and review through the process