August 17, 2017 TnH Global

UK considers visa-free travel for citizens of EU after Brexit

As per media report, Britain is considering a plan under which citizens of European Union will be allowed to travel without visa to the country even after Brexit. If such decision is taken by Prime Minister Theresa May’s government, it will hedge the United Kingdom’s Travel and Tourism industry against the adverse impact of Brexit on the country’s tourism industry.

As per media report, Britain is considering a plan under which citizens of European Union will be allowed to travel freely to the country even after Brexit. If such decision is taken by Prime Minister Theresa May’s government, it will hedge the United Kingdom’s Travel and Tourism industry against the adverse impact of Brexit on the country’s tourism industry.

Citizens of European Union are allowed to member countries without visa, but after Brexit, unless there is some agreement between the UK, and the rest of the EU members, free movement of citizens between the UK and other countries of the EU will come to end, which will good for the UK’s tourism industry. Visa requirement for traveling to the UK post-Brexit will also impact business travel between the UK and the remaining countries of the EU.

In order to mitigate the adverse impact of Brexit on tourism, Government of PM Theresa May is considering to allow citizens of EU countries to travel visa free to the UK. As per the proposals, EU nationals would be free to visit the UK, but working, studying or settling there would require them to secure permission. According to UK’s Home Office, plans are yet to be finalized and will be published within weeks. May’s government is seeking to deliver on its commitment to reduce immigration, concern over which led many to back Brexit in last year’s referendum. Businesses from banks to farms have expressed concern that the crackdown might hamper their ability to find the skills they need.

Allowing a free flow of visitors would help deal with the thorny issue of policing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit as the U.K. wants to maintain the common travel area on the island. James Brokenshire, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary, said on Wednesday that immigration controls aren’t just about borders, and a “comprehensive” approach would include measures such as restricting visitors’ access to public services.