UAE gets visa free travel to Ireland
Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down golf course
Emiratis can now enjoy visa-free travel to Ireland. Tourism Ireland tweeted sometime back that they are very happy about the order and hopes that the lifting of visa requirement is likely to benefit trade and tourism. The move is effective from January 31 and is a sign of the growing ties between the two countries
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan T.D., announced the lifting of the visa requirement for citizens of the UAE travelling to Ireland with effect from the 31st January and has signed an order to give effect to this decision.
Minister Flanagan, who led a trade mission to United Arab Emirates as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the removal of visa requirements is a very significant step which will facilitate Ireland’s growing trade, tourism and business relationships with the UAE. “It represents a further strengthening of the strategically important relationship between the two countries and will foster increased cooperation across a wide variety of areas including innovation, trade, investment, financial services, food, education, healthcare, aviation and technology,” he said.
The minister has also welcomed Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Dublin. It is estimated that around 75,000 travellers from the GCC visited Ireland in 2016, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the previous year. Dublin Airport has developed as a major international hub. Ireland and the United Arab Emirates are well connected, with almost 30 flights operating per week, allowing Irish and Emirati business people, tourists and students travel easily between the two countries.
“The UAE is a key economic partner for Ireland and one of our priority markets. I am very pleased we have been able to lift the visa requirement for citizens of the UAE who wish to travel to Ireland and we look forward to welcoming increased numbers of Emirati business people, students and tourists who will travel to Ireland following the lifting of the visa requirement,” the minister added.
