EU citizens will be free to visit Britain without having to apply for a UK visa following Brexit, according Whitehall sources.
Reports have confirmed that there are plans in place for Britain’s post-Brexit immigration system to allow EU citizens to enter without the need for a UK visa or any other form of permit.
Despite this, reports did not suggest that the post-Brexit EU plans, which are due to be published towards the end of 2017, will allow those travelling from within the EU to automatically gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
In fact, the sources have suggested that EU citizens will still be required to comply with new migration restrictions, and that the lack of a need for UK visa will amount to the same privileges as free movement.
The move reflects repeated comments by ministers suggesting that the greater control Brexit will allow the UK government will not be used to prevent skilled EU workers from taking positions within British firms.
Commenting on proposals, Prime Minister Theresa May repeated that the UK could not allow a return to the “borders of the past”.
She said: “We are able to ensure the crucial flow of goods and people between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is able to continue in the future”.
When the UK immigration plans are published later in the year, ministers have revealed they will set out government proposals for a long term EU-UK visa system, with alternative rules expected to apply while negotiations continue.