The government has assured overseas nationals that visits to the UK will continue to be visa-free for European Union nationals after Brexit.
Yesterday’s update also confirms that documents which inbound visitors need to show at the UK border will not change, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
EU nationals can still use ID cards in the short term, and e-gates when travelling on passports.
If there is no deal, EU nationals can still visit, work or study in the UK for up to three months, then apply for European temporary leave to remain for 36 months.
Antonia Stratford, the head of public affairs and communications at UKinbound – the trade association for inbound tour operators – will attend a Brexit information session held by the Department for Transport today (Thursday). She will update members about changes and concerns.
VisitBritain also recently produced advice for visitors on travel to Britain in 2019 and beyond.
The tourism agency said: “There is reassurance from both the UK government and the European Commission that flights will continue to operate between the UK and the EU after the 29 March 2019 regardless of the wider Brexit negotiations.
“EU nationals will be able to continue to travel on ID cards until at least 2021. It is recommended that visitors who are citizens of current EU Member States and who have a valid passport use the e-gates to make entry quick and easy.
“Visitors who are citizens of current EU member states will continue to be able to travel without a visa and from summer 2019, eligible travellers from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use e-gates at 14 ports, both in the UK and at Eurostar terminals at Brussels and Paris.”