All visitors from Jordan will need a visa to enter the United Kingdom due to violations of visitor rules.
Following the new rules which came into effect yesterday, September 10, Jordanian travelers will no longer be able to use the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for entry into the UK. So far, Jordanians have been allowed to enter the UK without a visa by using the ETA system, VisaGuide.World reports.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that this visa requirement is being introduced for migration and border security reasons and assured that the UK’s relationship with Jordan remains strong and friendly.
UK Grants 4-Week Visa-Free Entry for Current ETA Holders
Travelers with an ETA and confirmed travel plans will have a four-week transition period. This period will allow those with existing ETAs to enter the UK without a visa, provided they made their travel arrangements on or before September 10, 2024, and they arrive in the UK no later than October 8, 2024.
This measure follows a noticeable increase in Jordanian nationals traveling to the UK for purposes not permitted under visitor rules since the visa requirement was lifted in February 2024. The rise in such travel has resulted in more asylum claims and higher rates of refusals at the border, creating additional pressure on border operations.
As a result of a visa imposition on nationals of Jordan, there may be an impact on the number of genuine visitors from Jordan coming to the UK due to the requirement to obtain a visa before travel. This is a return to the previous entry requirement for Jordan, in force prior to February 2024.
Jordanian Officials Warn of Increased Asylum Claims & Trafficking Exploits in UK
According to a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, British consular officials notified them on September 10 that the ETA system, which allowed Jordanian citizens to travel to the UK without a visa for two years, would be discontinued. The ETA system was first introduced for Qatari citizens on November 15, 2023, and was expanded in February 2024 to include nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The ETA scheme was launched on October 25, 2023, to enhance border security and improve the UK’s ability to screen travelers before they enter the country. It applied to those visiting or transiting through the UK who did not require a visa for short stays or lacked a valid UK immigration status before their journey.
Jordanian officials also reported that the UK has experienced a rise in Jordanian asylum claims and that criminal organizations are exploiting the visa system for human trafficking. Moreover, there are reports of Jordanians using the UK as a transit hub to reach the United States via Latin America.