New UK-Ireland Visa Deal Signed
The British and Irish governments have introduced a scheme that allows visitors to the UK and the Republic of Ireland to use the same short-stay visa. It will also allow the UK and Ireland to share data and exchange information to help determine immigration decisions.
The scheme will begin with visitors from China and India, allowing them to move freely between the two areas on a single permit.
The agreement was signed on 6 October at the Irish Embassy in London by Home Secretary Theresa May and Irish Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald. The scheme will start in China by the end of October and in India soon afterwards.
The scheme is a welcome step towards a more “open doors” policy for allowing visitors from outside the EU to move freely between the UK and Ireland.
For further information, see the Home Office announcement.
Should your business require further information about this, you can contact our Business immigration team.
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