New UK visa waiver system might pose problems for tourism in Ireland

 

The Taoiseach has cautioned that a new UK visa waiver system will pose difficulties for tourism on the island of Ireland.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar voiced apprehensions regarding the effects of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the traveler trade.

The system, which is like the visa waiver method applicable in the US, will see temporary non-visa tourists to the UK applying for an ETA and producing biometric facts.

Irish citizens will not require an ETA to travel to Northern Ireland, since they already have definite unrestricted movement according to the rules of the Common Travel Area.

The system as initially set out would have intended non-Irish EU residents and other global passport holders, comprising those residing permanently in the south of the border, to apply for the visa exemption.

Previously this month, the UK Government reorganized its strategies and ratifiedthat non-Irish citizens living lawfully in the state will not require a waiver.

However, it looks like tourists will not be given such freedom, which means that foreign visitors coming in the Republic of Ireland would require an ETA to travel through the border into Northern Ireland.

This visa waiver method will be launched onphasesfrom the end of 2023.

Mr.Varadkar raised worries as he replied to queries on Tuesday in the Dail parliament in Dublin.

He said that they are in touch with the UK experts about the ETA, which is the new electronic transit authorization.

Tags: Ireland, new UK visa waiver system,  Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), Leo Varadkar