The British government is planning to keep visa-free travel for EU travellers following Brexit.
The news was confirmed by sources at Whitehall for the post-Brexit immigration plans, due to be published later this year.
This is different to the current system, where visitors are allowed to stay, live and work. The new plans will need to comply with new migration restrictions if they wish to work in the UK.
The UK currently allows visa-free travel to nationals from 56 countries – ranging from Australia to the Maldives. Visitors are allowed to stay for up to six months, regarding they do not work or travel.
The government have made it clear that whilst Brexit will enable more control over immigration, they want to stop it entirely. Skilled migrants are still wanted and needed from the EU.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen saw he was in favour of the idea of EU nationals being able to visit the UK without a visa. “What they won’t be able to do is work or claim benefits,” he said told the paper.
“I don’t think anybody ever intended we were just going to pull the shutters down and become a Little England.” he continued.
“The same restrictions will apply to UK citizens who wish to visit the Continent.
“I mean, did you really think we were going to have a visa system just to go for a weekend to Paris?”
According to The Times, the new system will be introduced in March 2019, when the UK officially leaves the EU.
On Wednesday, the government expressed plans for no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
“The taoiseach and the minister for foreign affairs and trade have called for greater clarity from the British government on its approach to the negotiations, and publication of the new paper is timely and helpful in this regard,” said the Irish government in response to the UK’s plans.
“The emphasis on the priority areas identified by the government, including the Common Travel Area, the Good Friday agreement, north/south cooperation and avoiding a hard border is welcome. Protecting the peace process is crucial and it must not become a bargaining chip in the negotiations.”