Ireland and Britain have officially launched a new joint visa scheme.
The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and the UK Home Secretary Theresa May formally launched the scheme at an event in the Irish Embassy in London.
It will mean that tourists and visitors will be able to visit both the UK and Ireland - including moving freely between north and south of the island of Ireland - on a single visa.
It will be available in China from later this month, followed by India.
Ms Fitzgerald and Ms May have also agreed to review the operation in early 2015, and - subject to completion of that review - a timetable will be finalised for the rollout of the scheme to all countries by the end of 2015.
May and Fitzgerald at the Irish embassy in London | Image: Dept of Justice/Malcolm McNally
Ms Fitzgerald thanked all concerned, including officials from both governments, and acknowledged the close cooperation of the Chinese government in facilitating arrangements for their applicants who wish to visit Ireland.
"Our aim is to boost tourism and business travel to our countries and, together, we are sending a clear and powerful message that these islands are open for business. We are saying, ‘Visit our beautiful and historic lands, come and experience the best that we both have to offer'," Ms Fitzgerald said.
While Ms May added: "I am delighted to be able to sign this Memorandum of Understanding today. This agreement will make it easier and more attractive for travellers to visit both Ireland and the UK, while at the same time strengthening Common Travel Area borders."
The scheme comes into effect in time for bookings for the 2015 summer season.
Image: Dept of Justice/Malcolm McNally
Tourism Ireland - who were in attendance - have welcomed the new scheme, calling it " a significant step."
CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, said: "The introduction of the British-Irish Visa Scheme is really good news, making it easier than ever before for visitors from China and India to visit Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland."
"It is a significant step in helping us to grow visitor numbers from these markets – whether those visitors wish to travel here for sightseeing, golf or as business tourists," he added.
