Number of business-related visas granted up 15% since 2010

The Irish immigration system has become increasingly business-friendly in recent years and as a consequence, the number of visas granted to workers from overseas has risen by 15 per cent since 2010.

A new report published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) reveals that the introduction of new programmes aimed at attracting migrant investors and entrepreneurs has led to increased flexibility in the immigration system.

According to the study, business-related visas accounted for 17 per cent of the 90,400 visas granted last year. In addition, the number of visas granted to overseas workers is up from 13,365 in 2010 to just over 15,400 in 2014.

Almost a third of business-related visas granted were to Indian nationals, with 18 per cent assigned to individuals from China, and 13 per cent to Russian citizens.

The ESRI said the total number of non-EEA business people coming to the country is likely to be higher than the figures suggest as nationals of some countries, most notably the US, do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.

Flexible programmes

The study indicates that older immigration programmes have been successfully supplemented with new flexible programmes that have aided entrepreneurship and investment.

According to the report, 55 permissions have been granted under the Immigrant Investor Programme since 2012. This programme allows approved non-EEA investors and their immediate family to enter Ireland on multi-entry visas and remain in the country for up to five years in return for an investment of between €500,000 and €2 million.

Under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP),which targets high-potential start-ups, 30 permissions were granted in the same period. The programme grants successful applicants and their nominated family members' residence for up to five years in return for a detailed proposal for an innovative business idea and funding of at least €75,000.

While take up of these programmes has been reasonably low, the figures are considered adequate given that they are aimed at attracting high worth investments and high-potential start-ups.

Other immigration initiatives such as the Atypical Working Scheme, which allows for a more flexible business migration route have also been deemed relatively successful with over 1,300 permissions issued in its first year, mainly to Japanese, US and Indian nationals.

The number of permissions granted to non-EU nationals proposing to start-up smaller ‘traditional’ businesses however has fallen by 74 per cent since 2012, with just 10 granted last year, compared to 38 two years earlier.

Increased co-operation

The ESRI noted that new legislation has been introduced which provides the State with more clearly defined powers to respond to changing economic conditions and said there was evidence of increased co-operation between different departments on business migration.

It warned though that certain country-specific challenges, such as high living costs and a lack of privately rented accommodation, are barriers in attracting business persons. It also said a lack of awareness of the available schemes may also be a challenge.

"While older schemes focussed on preventing misuse of business migration channels, the Department of Justice and Equality noted that this has not been a major problem in Ireland. There are now more options available to non-EU migrants wishing to set-up a business or to invest in Ireland. While the new measures seem to be working in terms of facilitating business people, high living costs and lack of accommodation may deter some entrepreneurs and investors," said report co- author Egle Gusciute.