Millions of Brits could be forced to pay £6 for US-style visa-waiver forms to go on holiday in Europe post Brexit
Unveiling plans to pre-screen EU tourists as part of her new post-Brexit immigration policy, Theresa May conceded the arrangements were likely to have to be 'preciprocal'
MILLIONS of Brits may be forced to apply for US-style visa-waiver forms before going on holiday to Europe after Brexit, Theresa May admitted today.
Unveiling plans to pre-screen EU tourists as part of her new post-Brexit immigration policy, the Prime Minister conceded the arrangements were likely to have to be “reciprocal”.
The US currently charges $14 for every ‘ESTA’ waiver form – raising the prospects Brits will be forced to shell out each time they want to fly to the Costa del Sol.
EU insiders have previously warned British travellers may have to pay around £6 for a holiday visa after Brexit
In the PM’s new immigration plan, tourists and business travellers from the EU will be offered “short stay routes” into the UK with fast-track access at e-gates.
But they would be forced to secure pre-authorisation in their home country – so Britain can carry out “security and criminal record checks”.
Challenged by the BBC earlier today, the PM admitted it was almost certain the EU would put similar checks in place for Brits travelling to the Continent.
She said: “The question of business travel and tourism will be part of the negotiations with the EU.
“We have put forward a series of proposals enabling travel from the EU and we have put forward these proposals based on reciprocal arrangements.”
Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd told a fringe meeting in Birmingham earlier that the pre-screening plans had been on the cards for months – as the EU seeks to beef up border security.
Some 12 million Brits a year head to Spain alone.
British tourists spend £33 billion on the Continent each year.
Under the biggest shake up to immigration for years, the PM vowed:
- High skilled workers will get “priority” while the numbers of low-skilled migrants will “be curbed”.
- A new system of e-gates will be rolled out for fast-track access to tourists and business visitors from “low risk countries”.
- All security and criminal checks will be carried out in advance of visits
- Applicants will have to meet a minimum salary threshold to ensure they are not competing for jobs that could be filled by staff from the UK
- No cap on student visas – but students will have to be able to speak English
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