The UK announced changes to the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for cross border travel into Northern Ireland
It means legal foreign residents of Ireland do not need a permit.
The ETA is a permit which foreign nationals require to enter the UK.
Before the change, it meant a foreign national a legal Irish resident, could require the ETA to cross the border into Northern Ireland
Those people are now be exempt.
“Those who are legally resident in Ireland and from a nationality that does require a visa to visit the UK, will not be required to obtain an ETA,” the government said.
“Non-Irish residents travelling to the UK from outside of the Common Travel Area will require an ETA before travel.”
The government confirmed it will have ‘no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.’
The NI Tourism Alliance said it is a missed opportunity for cross border tourism.
It wanted the ETA exemption extended to all foreign tourists.
“Despite extensive discussions, we are dismayed the Government has refused to adapt the ETA scheme,” said Joanne Stuart, CEO of NI Tourism Alliance.
Tourism Ireland chief recently said tour operators could ditch Northern Ireland from itineraries due to the ETA issue.
The new scheme launches in October.
