Ms Rudd said reports the European Commission is considering plans for a visa waiver programme to operate across the Schengen free movement area is a “reminder” that the United Kingdom is in a “two-way negotiation” with the EU as it seeks its divorce from Brussels.
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Home Secretary Amber Rudd has admitted that Brits could have to pay for visas to visit European Union countries for the first time.
“I don’t think it’s particularly desirable, but we don’t rule it out because we have to be allowed a free hand to give the best negotiation”, she added. They will be considering their negotiations with us, just as we are with them. The US ESTA scheme means that those travelling from countries that do not require a full visa must still apply for permission 72 hours in advance and pay a $14 charge to enter the country.
It would mean anyone entering the 26-nation Schengen passport-free travel zone, of which the United Kingdom is not part, would have to pay for a visa waiver if their home nation is not part of the agreement.
Speaking at the start of their meeting at the No. 10 Downing Street, Tusk also said “the ball is now in your court” as they discussed the next steps on Brexit, according to British press reports.
Ms Rudd, one of the leading voices in the Remain campaign ahead of the referendum, played down her attacks on Leave campaigner Boris Johnson, who is now foreign secretary.
The head of the British government, reaffirmed recently that until the beginning of 2017 she will not ask for the activation of Article 50 of the EU Treaty to begin negotiating the withdrawal from the regional organism, a process that could last two years. “That’s a given. We have to find a way of doing that”.
She will say: “We are leaving the European Union, we are not leaving Europe, and we will not turn in on ourselves”.
Rudd also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reduce net migration to the United Kingdom to tens of thousands and finally hinted at some details of how that might actually happen.
“Looking across the whole spectrum is what’s going to be the guiding principle”.
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She backed Mrs May’s rejection of an Australian-style points system, but suggested that work permit system was being considered. She said: “I think that work permits certainly has value”.
