The Government has agreed to extend the Irish short-stay Visa Waiver Programme for a further period of four years. This scheme is an integral part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative and is intended to promote tourism, particularly from emerging markets such as China, India and the Gulf Region.

Under the Programme, tourists or business people who have lawfully entered the UK, including Northern Ireland on a valid UK visa are able to travel on to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa.