Tourists crossing into Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland are set to be hit by immigration checks.
The regulations, due to be rolled out by the Home Office next year, will mean those visiting the region from abroad will be legally required to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The scheme will legally require travellers to provide “biometric details” and answer a set of suitability questions before being authorised to enter the UK.
For the first time ever, that will apply to thousands of tourists who enter Northern Ireland from the Republic.
The ETA scheme, aimed at bolstering Britain’s borders, has been described as “extremely concerning” by tourism chiefs who fear the regulations will have a “detrimental impact” on Northern Ireland’s tourism.
They also fear the “border check” plans will “isolate Northern Ireland” and damage the island’s tourism reputation as a whole.
Approximately 70 percent of tourists enter Northern Ireland from the Republic across 300 land crossings between the two jurisdictions.
International travellers, including those from North America, make up 25 percent of the region’s tourism revenue.
The ETA issue was raised with Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick at Thursday’s Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee.
Asked by Baroness Margaret Ritchie if the scheme would have a “detrimental impact” on the region’s tourism, Jenrick replied that it was “a difficult problem.”
“The Home Office has considered the request to exempt tourists visiting or not from the Republic of Ireland from the ETA requirement,” he said.
“But ultimately, an exemption in this vein would undermine the rationale for introducing the ETA scheme and the opportunity the scheme provides to further secure the Common Travel Area.”
Tourism Concerns
Jenrick said the government would be working with tourism bodies and stakeholders in both jurisdictions to “mitigate any risk of it being seen as an increased barrier to cross border tourism on the island of Ireland.”The minister said he expected the process of obtaining an ETA “incredibly simple and straightforward and inexpensive.”
“And I would hope that the impact can be effectively treated,” he said.
Speaking to The Epoch Times, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Chief Executive Joanne Stewart said those in the industry held concerns over the ETA plans.
“The industry is very concerned given that 70 percent of our overseas visitors will cross the border into Northern Ireland.
“A lot of them won’t even realise that they’re one, crossing the land border or two, going into the UK, because we are promoted as the island of Ireland.”
“So there are concerns about the impact on tourism.
“The overseas tourism represents about 25 percent of our tourism spend, that doesn’t include GB, it’s more international travel and obviously we would have a lot of day trips.”
Stewart said talks with the Home Office were continuing in an attempt to resolve the issue.
“The Irish government have been able to negotiate an exemption for residents of Ireland, who are not British or Irish, who will be able to travel.
“There’s a lot of people obviously making daily trips across the border, whether that’s for leisure or retail or at health, education, whatever.
“So they did get an exemption but it doesn’t apply to tourists.
“And we are working to try and get an exemption for those tourists who are coming to Northern Ireland as part of that trip to Ireland.”
Although tourists will require an ETA to travel across the border, there will be no stationary immigration checks at any of the 300 land crossings.
However, if applicable, travellers without an ETA come to the attention of authorities there could “legal implications.”
“In one way, you’re not going to be stopped and checked, but it’s a legal requirement,” the tourism chief said.
“So if for some reason, you are stopped there could be issues around validity of insurance—if you’re in an accident, or if you’re stopped for whatever reason, and you’re in the UK without an ETA there can be legal implications.
“But again, there’s confusion because it’s if you knowingly come into the UK without an ETA, so it’s a very it’s a very confusing situation.”
‘Border Check’
In a statement to The Epoch Times, Tourism Ireland said it has raised concerns with the Irish government over the ETA scheme.In evidence provided to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media last June, the tourism body said the immigration requirements had the potential to be “very damaging.”
Tourism Ireland said it had commissioned research into the plans with feedback from industry and tour operators stating that they “foresee an immediate drop in visits to Northern Ireland.”
The statement added: “This bill has the potential to damage our reputation.
“Among those interviewed, it is seen as a step backwards, at a time when tourism needs support and forward momentum.
“Northern Ireland will become more isolated and become a harder sell, as an ETA is seen as a border check.
“Tour operators will want to adhere to the law, even if it will not be border controlled, and it is feared that any news of potential arrests will present perceptions that it is unsafe and not easy to travel to Northern Ireland.”
On Tuesday the Home Office announced that visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and Jordan, will be the first travellers to be subject to the ETA scheme.
“By applying for an ETA in advance, visitors will benefit from smooth and efficient travel,” the Home Office said.
“As part of the application process, individuals will need to provide biometric details and answer a set of suitability questions.
“This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.”
Speaking about the scheme, Jenrick said ETAs will “enhance our border security by increasing our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and preventing the arrival of those who pose a threat.”
He added: “It will also improve travel for legitimate visitors, with those visiting from Gulf Cooperation Council states being among the first to benefit.”
The new scheme will entirely replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver Scheme which requires visitors to the UK from GCC states to pay a higher cost for a single-use visit.
By the end of 2024, ETAs will be a requirement worldwide for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, including those visiting from Europe.
Visitors from Europe, and other nations such as America and Australia do not currently need to make any form of application to visit to the UK, however, this will be changing with the introduction of ETAs.
