The UK government regularly discusses citizens' rights with French and other European counterparts.

Whilst the UK government would welcome any changes to visa systems that would benefit UK nationals, this is a matter for national governments and parliaments. We are not currently negotiating any reciprocal agreements.

We will continue to follow the passage of the French Immigration Bill closely and stand ready to inform British nationals of any changes which may affect them, should they become law.

The UK government regularly discusses citizens' rights with French and other European counterparts.

Whilst the UK government would welcome any changes to visa systems that would benefit UK nationals, this is a matter for national governments and parliaments. We are not currently negotiating any reciprocal agreements.

We will continue to follow the passage of the French Immigration Bill closely and stand ready to inform British nationals of any changes which may affect them, should they become law.

The Spanish Tourism Minister met with Foreign Office officials in November to discuss tourism. British tourists in Spain are treated as third country nationals under the EU's Schengen Borders Code. As such, they are able to travel visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. UK travellers applying for visas to visit or stay in Spain for longer periods of time are processed according to Spanish domestic law, reflecting the UK's position as a non-EU Member State. Whilst the UK government would welcome any changes to visa systems that benefit UK nationals, this is a matter for national governments and parliaments. We are not currently negotiating any reciprocal agreements.

The provisions within the Immigration Rules for both Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) will continue in the future immigration system. These routes will be amended to accommodate applications from elite sportspersons and coaches from the European Economic Area and Switzerland, along with those from the rest of the world, from 1 January 2021.

The UK Government does not have any plans to include clergy, sportspersons, coaches, instructors or officials under the new Skilled Worker route. The current provisions of Tier 2 (Ministers of Religion) and Tier 5 (Religious Workers) for clergy, and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) for sportspeople, are dedicated routes for such activities.

The UK’s immigration arrangements for professional sportspersons seek to strike a balance between ensuring that UK sports can access top-end talent that will enhance sport in the UK, whilst at the same time protecting opportunities for resident players and supporting grassroots sport. The Government works with Sports Governing Bodies to set bespoke criteria, with every sport’s criteria reviewed annually, ensuring that it continues to meet the changing needs of the individual sport. The success of UK sports clearly demonstrates that this system is one which works well.

The system of endorsement is operated by the Sports Governing Bodies to ensure that an objective assessment is made of each individual sportsperson. Individual clubs are asked to fulfil their sponsorship duties, in a dual-level of assurance.

The provisions within the Immigration Rules for both Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) will continue in the future immigration system. These routes will be amended to accommodate applications from elite sportspersons and coaches from the European Economic Area and Switzerland, along with those from the rest of the world, from 1 January 2021.

The UK Government does not have any plans to include clergy, sportspersons, coaches, instructors or officials under the new Skilled Worker route. The current provisions of Tier 2 (Ministers of Religion) and Tier 5 (Religious Workers) for clergy, and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) for sportspeople, are dedicated routes for such activities.

The UK’s immigration arrangements for professional sportspersons seek to strike a balance between ensuring that UK sports can access top-end talent that will enhance sport in the UK, whilst at the same time protecting opportunities for resident players and supporting grassroots sport. The Government works with Sports Governing Bodies to set bespoke criteria, with every sport’s criteria reviewed annually, ensuring that it continues to meet the changing needs of the individual sport. The success of UK sports clearly demonstrates that this system is one which works well.

The system of endorsement is operated by the Sports Governing Bodies to ensure that an objective assessment is made of each individual sportsperson. Individual clubs are asked to fulfil their sponsorship duties, in a dual-level of assurance.

The Government has published a range of immigration information for those affected by COVID, including those sponsored to work in the UK. COVID immigration information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders.

The Government will not penalise individuals affected by issues relating to COVID which are beyond their control. Whilst cases will need to be considered on a case by case basis, we will not penalise people who have been outside of the UK for longer than normally permitted where the absence is as a result of COVID travel restrictions, at the point at which they come to apply for a new visa or indefinite leave to remain.

Direct Airside Transit Visas (DATVs) allow the Government to run comprehensive checks on those intending to transit

the UK. Since the introduction of the DATV there has been a noticeable fall in transit passengers claiming asylum. We therefore have no plans to abolish transit visas, but do keep the specifics of our transit visa regime under regular review