Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Passage West

About Golden Visa Law in Passage West, Ireland

The term Golden Visa usually refers to a residence-by-investment route. In Ireland, this was historically the Immigrant Investor Programme - IIP. The IIP closed to new applications in February 2023. This means you cannot start a new IIP application from Passage West or anywhere else in Ireland. However, people who already hold an IIP permission may continue to hold and renew it if they meet the programme conditions.

Immigration law is national in Ireland. There are no separate Golden Visa rules unique to Passage West or County Cork. Applications, permissions, and renewals are handled by the Department of Justice through Immigration Service Delivery - ISD. If you live in Passage West and hold a qualifying permission, you will generally register and renew your Irish Residence Permit - IRP through the Garda National Immigration Bureau - GNIB office that serves County Cork.

Although the IIP is closed, other lawful routes may suit investors, entrepreneurs, or skilled professionals who wish to live in or near Passage West. These can include the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme - STEP, Critical Skills or General Employment Permits leading to residence, intra-company transfer routes, and family-based permissions. Buying property in Passage West does not by itself grant any right to live in Ireland.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

If you already hold an IIP permission, you may need a lawyer to advise on renewals, maintaining or changing your qualifying investment, adding eligible family members, proving the lawful source of funds, meeting private medical insurance requirements, and ensuring ongoing compliance to avoid curtailment of your permission.

If you are exploring alternatives to a closed Golden Visa route, a lawyer can assess whether STEP, an employment permit route, or family-based residence may meet your goals, and can coordinate with tax advisers on residence and domicile planning before you move to Passage West.

Investors often need company law, fund regulation, and due diligence support. A lawyer can review Irish regulated investment funds, advise on Central Bank compliance, and conduct corporate and property due diligence if you plan to invest in or near Passage West. They can also coordinate with conveyancers on property purchases and leases and advise on planning law through Cork County Council.

Where an application has been refused or delayed, a lawyer can prepare responses, seek a review where available, or advise on court options. If your permission lapses or you overstay, a lawyer can help with regularisation, varied conditions, or re-entry planning.

Local Laws Overview

IIP closure and legacy permissions - The IIP closed to new applications in 2023. Existing permission holders typically received an initial 2-year permission, with renewals for 3-year periods if programme conditions are met. Conditions have included maintaining the approved investment for the required term, having private medical insurance, and meeting character and public policy checks. Residence was relatively flexible under IIP, but Irish citizenship by naturalisation still requires significant physical residence.

Investment categories under IIP - For context only, since the scheme is closed: enterprise investment at a 1,000,000 euro minimum for 3 years, investment fund at a 1,000,000 euro minimum in a regulated fund, REIT at a 2,000,000 euro aggregate minimum with specific holding periods, and philanthropic endowment at 500,000 euro or 400,000 euro per person for certain group endowments. Any change in an approved investment must be cleared with ISD to avoid permission issues.

Alternatives now in use - STEP for innovative start-ups, several employment permit categories administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment leading to Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 residence, and family permissions. Property purchase is not an immigration route.

Registration and residence evidence - Non-EEA nationals residing in Passage West typically register at the GNIB office serving County Cork and receive an IRP card. Keep proof of address, employment or investment records, and private medical insurance. Renew on time to avoid gaps in permission.

Citizenship by naturalisation - Standard rules generally require 5 years of reckonable residence, including 1 year of continuous residence immediately before the application, good character, and intent to continue residing in Ireland. Time physically present in Ireland matters. Periods outside Ireland can reduce reckonable residence.

Tax and compliance context - Irish tax residence is usually based on days present in a tax year - 183 days in a year or 280 days across 2 years with a minimum of 30 days in one year. Non-domiciled residents may be taxed on a remittance basis for foreign income and gains. Investors should obtain bespoke tax advice regarding income tax, USC, PRSI, stamp duty on property, Local Property Tax, VAT where applicable, and capital gains. Banks and regulated entities will conduct anti-money laundering and source-of-funds checks.

Local governance and property - Property acquisition in Passage West is subject to Irish conveyancing law and Cork County Council planning rules. Owning a home does not confer immigration status. Residential tenancies are regulated and require registration with the Residential Tenancies Board if letting a property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ireland offer a Golden Visa and can I apply from Passage West now

Ireland operated the Immigrant Investor Programme - IIP, which closed to new applications in February 2023. You cannot begin a new IIP application now. If you are seeking to live in Passage West, consider alternatives such as the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, an employment permit with residence, or family-based permissions.

I already hold an IIP permission - how do I maintain or renew it

Keep the approved investment in place for the required holding period, maintain private medical insurance, and remain of good character. Renewals are typically granted for 3-year periods following the initial 2 years, subject to meeting programme conditions and providing updated documentation. Changes to the investment should be approved in advance by ISD.

Can buying a home in Passage West qualify me for residence

No. Property purchase does not grant immigration status in Ireland. You must qualify under a valid immigration route such as STEP, an employment permit route, or family permissions. Owning property can support proof of address and local ties but is not a status on its own.

Which family members can be included under IIP or similar investor routes

Under IIP, eligible dependants typically included a spouse or civil partner and children under 18, and may have included dependent children aged 18 to 24 who were in full-time education. Each route has its own definition of dependants, so legal advice is important to confirm eligibility.

How does naturalisation work for investors who live in Passage West

Naturalisation requires meeting reckonable residence thresholds, with a strong emphasis on actual physical presence in Ireland. Even if you hold a long-term investor permission, long absences can reduce reckonable residence. You must also show good character and an intention to continue residing in Ireland. A lawyer can assess your residence history and plan a timeline.

What documentation proves a lawful source of funds

Acceptable evidence can include audited financial statements, tax returns, bank statements, sale agreements for assets such as businesses or property, inheritance or gift deeds with donor documentation, and loan agreements with security and repayment terms. The focus is on clear, traceable, lawful origin and movement of funds.

Can I change or diversify my qualifying investment after approval

Not without approval. Your permission is tied to the specific approved investment. Divesting or switching early can lead to refusal of renewal or curtailment. If a change is unavoidable, seek legal advice and engage ISD well in advance with a compliant proposal.

What taxes should I expect if I move to Passage West as an investor

Depending on residence and domicile, you may be liable to Irish income tax, USC, PRSI, capital gains tax, and local property taxes. Non-domiciled residents may access the remittance basis for foreign income and gains. Property purchases attract stamp duty, and rental activity is regulated and taxable. Obtain coordinated immigration and tax advice before you arrive.

Where do I register my immigration permission in County Cork

Registration for non-EEA nationals resident in Passage West is handled by the GNIB office serving County Cork. You will book an appointment, attend with your passport, approval letters, proof of address, and private medical insurance, and you will be issued an Irish Residence Permit card if approved.

What if my permission expires or I have an overstay

Act quickly. Contact an immigration lawyer to assess options such as a late renewal, a request to vary conditions, or making an application from outside the State if required. Keep all evidence of your ties to Ireland, reasons for delay, and any humanitarian or compassionate factors.

Additional Resources

Department of Justice - Immigration Service Delivery for policy, permissions, and renewals.

Garda National Immigration Bureau - GNIB for registration and IRP issuance in County Cork.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for employment permits.

Enterprise Ireland for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme and innovation support.

Central Bank of Ireland for information on regulated funds and financial oversight.

Revenue Commissioners for tax residence, remittance basis guidance, and personal taxes.

Companies Registration Office for company incorporations and filings.

Cork County Council for local planning and development queries in Passage West.

Residential Tenancies Board for landlord-tenant rules if you intend to let property.

Law Society of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland for finding qualified solicitors and counsel.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective - residence, business establishment, study, or family unification - and your desired timeline for relocating to Passage West.

Confirm that new IIP applications are closed and identify viable alternatives such as STEP, a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit, or family-based routes.

Engage an immigration lawyer in County Cork or nationally to map the best route, required evidence, and any timing sensitivities. Ask for a dual-track plan that covers immigration and tax.

Assemble core documents early - passports, birth and marriage certificates, bank statements, audited accounts, tax returns, proof of lawful source of funds, insurance, and police clearances.

If investing in a business or fund, have your lawyer conduct due diligence and confirm regulatory status. For property, retain a conveyancing solicitor and surveyor, and check Cork County Council planning status.

Prepare for registration in County Cork - book appointments early, maintain private medical insurance, and keep proof of address in Passage West. Track renewal dates to avoid gaps.

If you already hold an IIP permission, keep the investment as approved, monitor reporting duties, and engage ISD in writing before making any changes. Maintain records that show compliance for renewals.

Plan long-term - if citizenship is a goal, track physical presence days, avoid long absences, and keep a residence calendar and travel records to evidence reckonable residence.

Coordinate with a tax adviser on residence, domicile, remittance planning, and asset structuring before arriving. Open banking relationships in accordance with AML requirements.

Document everything and keep copies of submissions, approvals, and receipts. If issues arise, seek legal advice early to protect your status and options.