Joint Ireland-UK Visa Program Becomes Available this Fall for Business Visitors and Tourists

Beginning this fall, Ireland and the UK will begin accepting short-stay visas issued by either country for business or tourism travel. Currently, travellers who wish to visit both Ireland and the UK are required to obtain two visas, one from each country. A specific implementation date has not been announced by either Irish Naturalization and Immigration Services or the UK Home Office. 

Initially, the joint visa program will cover travellers from China and India only, though it is expected to be extended to other nationalities at a later time. Once the program is implemented, Chinese and Indian visitors will be able to travel freely between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland, for the duration of their visa. 

In Ireland, the new policy will result in the Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme being replaced by the British Irish Visa Scheme. 

What This Means for Employers 

The new policy should make travel easier and more attractive for visitors wishing to visit both Ireland and the UK. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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