This week the British Government unveiled a new visa scheme titled the British-Irish Visa Scheme to enable Chinese and Indian nationals to visit the UK and the Republic of Ireland using a single visa
This week the British Government unveiled a new visa scheme titled the British-Irish Visa Scheme to enable Chinese and Indian nationals to visit the UK and the Republic of Ireland using a single visa when travelling on certain short stay and visitor visas. The scheme will start in China by the end of October 2014 and will follow in India soon afterwards. China and India are both key markets for UK and Irish tourism and it is hoped that more than 10,000 visitors will use the scheme.
Under the British-Irish Visa Scheme, some Irish short stay visas will allow onward travel to the UK and some UK visitor visas will allow onward travel to the Republic of Ireland. All Indian and Chinese nationals who hold an eligible UK visitor visa (except ‘visitor in transit’ and ‘visitor for marriage or civil partnership’) are covered by the scheme. For example, under the scheme an Indian or Chinese visitor in Dublin will be able to make a short trip to London without needing a separate visa. Alternatively, an Indian or Chinese visitor in London could then travel to Dublin.
The scheme will make travel between the two countries much easier and will also allow the two governments to share data and exchange information on passengers.
For more information, please contact Lynn McCloghry.
Under the British-Irish Visa Scheme, some Irish short stay visas will allow onward travel to the UK and some UK visitor visas will allow onward travel to the Republic of Ireland. All Indian and Chinese nationals who hold an eligible UK visitor visa (except ‘visitor in transit’ and ‘visitor for marriage or civil partnership’) are covered by the scheme. For example, under the scheme an Indian or Chinese visitor in Dublin will be able to make a short trip to London without needing a separate visa. Alternatively, an Indian or Chinese visitor in London could then travel to Dublin.
The scheme will make travel between the two countries much easier and will also allow the two governments to share data and exchange information on passengers.
For more information, please contact Lynn McCloghry.