The Irish government is offering special residence visas to foreign individuals willing to invest in the country.
This new program began on April 15, 2012, and if you make the investment, it can lead to full citizenship. Irish citizenship opens the door to full personal and commercial access to all 27 countries in the European Union.
Ireland’s aim is to attract both money and wealthy individuals from outside the EU who want to take advantage of new and existing investor schemes to immigrate to Ireland.
The virtue of an Irish passport is access to all EU countries, plus visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including the entire British Commonwealth.
Under the new 2012 programs potential Irish investor immigrants have several choices, including an investment in a low-interest bond, or a venture capital fund, or a property investment or government securities. The minimums amounts range from 500,000 euro to 2 million euro ($627,000 to $2.5 million).
There is also a separate residence visa program for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start an innovative business valued at a minimum of 75,000 euro ($94,000).
There is another citizenship options in Ireland as you can use Irish ancestry to claim an Irish passport.