Single visa scheme for Indians to travel to UK & Ireland

In a major decision to make Indians travel easier for the UK and Ireland, the authorities of the UK and Ireland mutually announced a single visa scheme.

This scheme enables Indian tourists to visit the UK and Ireland on the single visa.

The deal was signed by the UK and Ireland in the previous year itself, which states that Indians and Chinese are permitted to travel UK and Ireland on a single visa without any hindrances. Initially, this scheme was implemented for Chinese nationals, but from February 2015, even Indians are also benefiting from this scheme.

Indians who are planning to apply for an Irish or UK visa can submit their application at the shared centers instead of going to two separate visa centers. Individuals can also provide their biometrics at the same centers.

According to the British High Commission, initially a tourist with a UK visa should travel to UK and then to Ireland and likewise the ones holding Ireland visa can visit the UK after their visit to Ireland. However, if transiting via either of the nations, visitors do not have to apply for a separate transit visa.