Opening a branch for an overseas educational institution in Ireland

[Awesome Dodo]

Hi,

A reputable University in Science and Technology overseas is looking to have an office in Ireland to gain access to the academic expertise in Ireland and invite leading professors to speak to their students as part of their academic program.

Is it possible to know what are the requirements to open such an office in Ireland and which body should license this branch in Ireland ?

Please note , the office in Ireland will not target students in Ireland but only inviting academic calibers to speak to the university students abroad .

Thanks in advance

 

[TomEdison]

I don't see that the activities that they propose to undertake require a license in Ireland.

They'll need to do all the obvious things — hire premises, register with Revenue as an employer in relation to the office staff and any other employees at the Irish office, etc. From what you say they won't actually be selling any services in Ireland so the question of whether they might be liable to VAT or Corporation Tax in relation to their Irish income won't arise — they won't have any Irish income.

 

[MrEarl]

Where is the University located, and where will funds be transferred from, to pay costs incurred in Ireland?

Depending on location and origin of funds, you may run into issues with opening or operating an Irish bank account

 

[Awesome Dodo]

The origin of the university is in the Middle East where the fund of hiring premises & staff will be coming from & not expecting to have any income from Irish customers

 

[MrEarl]

If you intend to open an Irish bank account, it would be prudent to begin the process now. It will take time, and there'll be lots of information requirements, regarding ownership, where the funds that are transferred into Ireland originate from, etc.

 

[Leo]

Ireland seems like a very small market to justify such an investment. Particularly for a single university. How many such visits are envisaged?

TES run a platform recruiting thousands of teachers for roles in more than 25,000 schools and collages all over the world from a UK business with satellite offices in 4 other countries. Why the need for a physical presence here for a much smaller undertaking?