Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Midleton

About Golden Visa Law in Midleton, Ireland

People often use the term Golden Visa to describe a residency-by-investment route. In Ireland, the closest equivalent was the Immigrant Investor Programme, known as the IIP. The Irish Government closed the IIP to new applications in February 2023. If you already hold permission under the IIP, you can usually continue to live in Ireland and apply for renewals as long as you meet the conditions. If you are looking for an investment-based route today, there is no new Golden Visa in Ireland at present. Other immigration options may be available depending on your profile, such as the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative founders, employment permit routes, family-based permissions, or longer-stay options like Stamp 0 in limited circumstances.

Midleton is in County Cork, and immigration in Ireland is governed by national law. Local authorities in Midleton do not grant visas. However, if you live in Midleton, you generally register your residence permission at the Garda immigration office serving County Cork, typically located in Cork City, and you will manage day-to-day compliance locally, such as keeping your Irish Residence Permit up to date and maintaining a local address and records.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you understand a fast-changing legal landscape and protect your status. Common situations where legal help is useful include assessing whether you qualify for any current Irish immigration category after the closure of the IIP, maintaining or renewing your existing IIP permission and keeping dependants in status, documenting source of funds and ongoing compliance for legacy IIP investors, planning a move to Ireland through non-investment routes such as the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme or employment permits, coordinating immigration steps with tax and corporate structuring so you do not inadvertently trigger tax liabilities or lose residency rights, preparing for citizenship by naturalisation and calculating reckonable residence accurately, addressing refusals or requests for further information from the Department of Justice, managing changes in family circumstances such as reaching the age limit for dependent children or marriage or divorce, and ensuring your registration in County Cork is completed correctly and on time if you live in Midleton.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration in Ireland is controlled by national legislation and policy, not by county or town by-laws. Key features that matter to people in Midleton considering a Golden Visa-style path include the status of the Immigrant Investor Programme, which closed to new applicants in 2023. Existing IIP residence permissions are typically granted on Stamp 4 for two years initially and then in three-year renewal blocks, subject to continued compliance, good character, and maintained investment where required.

Residence registration uses the Irish Residence Permit, often called the IRP card. If you live in Midleton, you normally register at the Garda immigration office that serves County Cork by appointment. You must bring your passport, approval or renewal letter, proof of address in Ireland, and pay the applicable registration fee. Fees and procedures can change, so always check current requirements before attending your appointment.

Due diligence and source-of-funds checks apply to investor routes. Irish authorities scrutinise the legitimacy of funds under the Criminal Justice money-laundering framework and related anti-money-laundering rules. Corporate investments must comply with Irish company law and beneficial ownership disclosure rules. Financial and tax planning is also relevant. Ireland taxes individuals based on tax residence and domicile. Many non-domiciled individuals may be taxed on a remittance basis for certain foreign income and gains, subject to specific rules. Coordinating immigration timing with tax advice is important if you will spend significant time in Ireland.

Citizenship by naturalisation usually requires five years of reckonable residence in the past nine years, including one continuous year immediately before applying. Time spent in Ireland on Stamp 4 under the IIP counted as reckonable residence. Applicants must also meet good character and physical presence requirements, and should track absences from the state carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ireland currently offer a Golden Visa?

No. Ireland closed its Immigrant Investor Programme in February 2023. There is no open residency-by-investment scheme for new applicants at this time. Alternatives may exist depending on your circumstances, such as the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, employment permits, student or graduate routes, or family-based permissions.

I already hold IIP permission. Can I renew it?

Generally yes, if you continue to meet the IIP conditions, maintain good character, and comply with Irish law. IIP permissions were typically issued as Stamp 4 for two years initially and then renewable in three-year blocks. You must demonstrate that you remain eligible at each renewal.

Can my family live in Ireland with me under the IIP?

Yes. The IIP allowed qualifying dependants to accompany the principal applicant. This typically included a spouse or civil partner and dependent children, with older dependent children up to age 24 in full-time education potentially eligible. Evidence of dependency and education status is required, and rules must be met at each renewal.

Can I buy property in Ireland to get residency?

No. Ireland did not offer a direct real-estate purchase route to residency. Under the IIP, investing in Irish REITs was once permitted, but the programme is now closed. Buying property in Ireland does not by itself grant a right to live in Ireland.

What proof of funds or compliance is needed for IIP renewals?

You should expect to show that your original investment remains in place where required, that funds were and remain from legitimate sources, that you have maintained good character, and that you and your dependants have complied with immigration conditions. Documentation can include bank and investment statements, company documents, tax records, and police clearance certificates as requested.

Where do Midleton residents register their permission?

Residents of Midleton typically register at the Garda immigration office serving County Cork, usually based in Cork City. Registration is by appointment. Bring your passport, approval or renewal documentation, proof of Cork address, and the applicable fee. You will be issued or renewed an Irish Residence Permit card if approved.

How does tax residence work if I move to Ireland?

Tax residence depends mainly on days spent in Ireland. Broadly, you are tax resident if you spend 183 days in a tax year in Ireland, or 280 days over two consecutive years with at least 30 days in each year. Domicile and the remittance basis can affect how foreign income and gains are taxed. Obtain professional tax advice before relocating or investing.

Does time on the IIP count toward Irish citizenship?

Yes. Time lawfully resident in Ireland on Stamp 4 under the IIP counted as reckonable residence for naturalisation. You must meet the five-in-nine year rule, including one continuous year immediately before applying, plus good character and physical presence requirements. Keep travel and residence records to support your application.

What if my investment or business fails?

Investment risk is generally borne by the investor. If the investment fails or conditions are no longer met, renewal of your immigration permission can be at risk. Early legal advice can help you understand options, such as restructuring or demonstrating compliance through alternative qualifying evidence if permitted by policy.

What are my options now that the IIP is closed?

Depending on your profile, you might consider the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative founders, Critical Skills or General Employment permits leading to Stamp 4, intra-company transfers, Stamp 1G options for eligible graduates, Stamp 0 for limited longer stays with full private means, or family-based routes. A lawyer can assess eligibility and plan the best pathway for you and your family.

Additional Resources

Useful governmental bodies and organisations include Immigration Service Delivery within the Department of Justice for residence policy and permissions, Garda National Immigration Bureau and local Garda immigration offices for IRP registration and compliance, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment for employment permits and business immigration policy, Enterprise Ireland for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme and innovation support, the Revenue Commissioners for tax residence and compliance, and the Law Society of Ireland for finding a qualified solicitor.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal first. If you hold an existing IIP permission, mark your renewal dates, gather compliance documents, and check that your investment continues to meet all requirements. If you do not hold IIP permission and are exploring options, identify whether an entrepreneur, employment, study, or family route best fits your situation.

Assemble core documents early. Typical items include passports, birth and marriage certificates, proof of address in County Cork if you live in Midleton, bank and investment statements, company documents if relevant, education records for dependent children, and police clearances where requested. Keep records organised and up to date.

Seek professional advice. An Irish immigration solicitor experienced with investor and entrepreneur matters can confirm eligibility, prepare filings, coordinate Garda registration in Cork, and work with tax and corporate advisers to reduce risk. Ask about timelines, fees, evidence required, and how changes in circumstances might affect renewals or future citizenship plans.

Plan your registration and travel. If you are in Midleton, schedule your Garda immigration appointment in advance, ensure your documents and payment are ready, and keep copies of everything you submit. Track residence days and absences carefully to protect future eligibility for long-term residence or citizenship.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Because rules and policies change, consult a qualified professional before taking action.