A new landmark visa scheme was signed by Britain and Ireland that will allow Chinese and Indian visitors to visit the two countries using a single visa.

The UK and Ireland signd a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect on Monday. The British Home Office said the move would help the two countries exchange information regarding immigration-related affairs. It would also allow Indian and Chinese tourists to easily fly in to the two countries.

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British Home Secretary Theresa May said the agreement would make it easier for visitors to travel to UK and Ireland. It would also strengthen the tourism industry and the Common Travel Area boundaries.

The new visa scheme will apply for visitors from China by the end of this month. The deal would also commence in India later on, said the Home Office. Britain and Ireland has been expecting to receive more than 10,000 guests who would use the new visa. Both countries see China and India as lucrative markets to boost their tourism industry.

Irish Justice and Equality Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the British-Irish Visa is a practical example of the progressive ties between the two countries. The minister said the scheme would also boost the economy of Northern Ireland as the single visa would allow Chinese and Indians tourists to visit the country without getting a separate visa.

The new visa deal is a part of UK and Ireland’s joint program to boost the two countries’ boundaries. The two countries are also working closely on visa processing and policies along with immigration checks, passenger data and providing watch-list information.

Fitzgerald said the deal engaged by the two countries show how the British-Irish cooperation has been transformed. He said the new visa scheme has been regarded as impossible to achieve a few years ago, but now, the signed deal marks a potent symbol for both European countries.

TagsUK, Landmark Visa Scheme