Abu Dhabi: Emiratis will not need a visa to travel to Ireland from January 31.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan announced the lifting of the visa requirement for UAE citizens.
Flanagan, who led a trade mission to the UAE as minister for foreign affairs and trade, said the removal of the visa requirement will facilitate Ireland’s growing trade, tourism and business relationships with the UAE.
“Excellent air-links between our countries are facilitating growing partnerships in trade, education and tourism in particular. A large number of Irish citizens now live in the UAE and many Irish companies are active on the ground where we have a busy embassy promoting Irish interests,” he said.
Flanagan pointed out the move 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, health care, aviation and technology.
He pointed out the UAE is a key economic partner for Ireland and one of its 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,” added Flanagan.
Niall Gibbons, chief executive, Tourism Ireland said the Irish government has worked hard with the UAE to introduce visa-free travel for Emiratis coming to Ireland.
“This is a historic step for Irish-Emirati relations and one which we hope will encourage more Emiratis to visit Ireland,” said Gibbons.
