CTA (Common Travel Area) Special Relationship between Ireland & the UK to live and work

Do Irish citizens need a visa to live and work in the UK post Brexit?

Do British citizens need a visa to live and work in Ireland post Brexit?

The special relationship between Ireland and England in the context of settled status mainly stems from the historical, legal, and political ties between the two countries, particularly in relation to the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement. This arrangement allows for unique rights and privileges for citizens of the UK (including Northern Ireland) and Ireland.

Key points about the special relationship concerning settled status:

1. Common Travel Area (CTA): The Common Travel Area is a unique arrangement that existed even before Brexit, where citizens of the UK and Ireland could live, work, and travel freely between the two countries without the need for immigration controls. This is different from the rest of the European Union (EU) countries and is rooted in the shared history of the UK and Ireland.
2. Post-Brexit Arrangements: After Brexit, the UK and Ireland agreed to maintain the CTA, meaning Irish citizens can continue to live, work, and access services in the UK (including Northern Ireland) as they did before Brexit, without the need to apply for a visa or settle status. This applies even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
3. Settled Status for EU Citizens: For EU citizens (excluding Irish citizens), after Brexit, the UK introduced the EU Settlement Scheme. This scheme allows EU citizens living in the UK to apply for settled or pre-settled status to remain in the country legally. However, Irish citizens were exempt from this scheme, as they already had the right to live and work in the UK under the CTA.
4. Northern Ireland: The situation is particularly unique in Northern Ireland, where the relationship between Ireland (an EU member state) and the UK (post-Brexit) is complex. Irish citizens in Northern Ireland retain full rights to live and work in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK, thanks to the CTA.

In summary, the special relationship between Ireland and the UK allows Irish and British citizens to live and work in both countries without needing to apply for settled status, even after Brexit, which is a notable exception to the general rules that apply to other EU citizens.