Eastwood: Remove visa barriers to educational tourism

AFTER a series of meetings with the educational tourism sector and representatives of the Northern Ireland Office and Home Office, SDLP Colum Eastwood has called on the British government to remove visa barriers for educational tourism in the North of Ireland, which will impact our local economy and local businesses.

Said the Foyle MP: “Organisations such as Foyle International and North West Academy of English provide significant added value to our local economy and bring hundreds of young people to the Northwest every year to learn English, learn about this city, our history, and rich culture.

“Post Brexit, the British government has built ideological barriers to travel, resulting in those seeking to come here to learn having to apply for Tier 5 visas at high cost and unnecessary bureaucracy.

“Derry and the north-west is unrivalled in terms of hospitality and generosity.

“These barriers risk putting people off from coming to and experiencing our great city, leaving Derry and the Northwest at a competitive disadvantage when attracting this educational tourism.

“To Derry’s detriment, those who previously could travel and learn freely between Derry and Donegal will now not be permitted to.

“I’ve made clear to the British government on several occasions that these changes need to be made and made urgently.

“The SDLP will continue to work with the sector to ensure it is maintained and thrives in the future.”

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