Tourists crossing into Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland are set to be hit by immigration checks.
The regulations, due to be rolled out by the Home Office next year, will mean those visiting the region from abroad will be legally required to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The scheme will legally require travellers to provide “biometric details” and answer a set of suitability questions before being authorised to enter the UK.
For the first time ever, that will apply to thousands of tourists who enter Northern Ireland from the Republic.
The ETA scheme, aimed at bolstering Britain’s borders, has been described as “extremely concerning” by tourism chiefs who fear the regulations will have a “detrimental impact” on Northern Ireland’s tourism….