IRELAND is waiving visa fees for citizens of seven Asian and Middle Eastern countries who have valid UK visas, from July to October next year, to attract more visitors.
Under the scheme, citizens of China, India, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar who are already holding valid UK visas and have cleared UK immigration, will have their 60 euro (US$85) visa fees waived for a stay in Ireland of up to 90 days at a time. A UK visa costs 76 pounds (US$123).
Tourism Ireland marketing manager Middle East and Asia, Aisling McDermott, said the visa fee waiver would be of added significance during the Olympic Games 2012 in London.
India-based Dejavu Holiday director, Jaspreet Chopra, who is planning to introduce Ireland as a new destination to his clients this year, said the waiver was encouraging, especially with his company projecting a 15 to 20 per cent growth in outbound Indian clients to the UK this year.
By Sirima Eamtako
