The United Kingdom (UK) significantly changed its travel policy for Jordanians visiting the country.
Previously, citizens of Jordan were eligible for the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme.
The UK ETA scheme allowed them to visit the UK for multiple short trips of less than six months over two years.
However, as of 10 September 2024, Jordanians must apply for a UK visa to visit the country.
This means UK-bound Jordanian travelers will not face stricter scrutiny as they apply entry requirements.
Timeline for the change of entry requirements for Jordan nationals
The UK government had updated its travel guidance for Jordanian nationals to facilitate a smooth change of entry requirements.
Jordan nationals with an ETA and are already in the UK
Jordanians with ETAs and who are already in the UK can stay as long as they follow the rules on what they can or cannot do with an ETA.
It’s important to note that an ETA only allows short trips of less than six months in the UK.
They cannot extend their stay for more than six months, or they will be overstaying and breach immigration rules.
Those who plan to stay longer or return to the UK must first travel home and apply for a UK visa.
Jordanians who already have an ETA
Jordanians who have already received their ETA will still be allowed entry into the UK only if they meet the following conditions:
- They booked their trip to the UK before 3 p.m. (UK time) on 10 September 2024.
- They have booked a trip arriving in the UK before 3 p.m. (UK time) on 8 October 2024.
When they travel to and arrive in the UK, they must be prepared to prove the time and date they booked their trip.
They also cannot modify a booking to meet these conditions, or they will need to apply for a visa instead.
Jordaniians with ETAs who fail to meet both conditions must apply for a UK visa.
Those who already have an ETA but are arriving in the UK after 3 p.m. (UK time) on 8 October 2024 must apply for a UK visa.
They will not be allowed entry into the UK under the ETA scheme, as their travel permission will be canceled.
They will not be eligible for reimbursement as ETA application fees are non-refundable.
Jordanians who already booked a UK trip but do not have an ETA
Jordanians who have already booked their trip to the UK but do not have an ETA yet must apply for a UK visa instead.
Obtaining a UK visa is more expensive, requires more extensive documentation, and takes at least three weeks to process.
Jordanian nationals who have already booked a visit to the UK may have to adjust their trips accordingly.
Reason for change in entry requirements for Jordanians
The UK Home Office has yet to provide an official statement regarding the change in entry requirements for Jordanians.
Typically, this move follows rising concerns about the misuse and abuse of the new system.
The UK ETA revocation for Jordanians is reportedly linked to a surge in asylum applications by Jordanian nationals in Ireland.
Many Jordanian citizens who initially traveled to the UK using an ETA later moved to Ireland, where they applied for asylum.
Ireland and the UK share the Common Travel Area (CTA), which allows for relatively easy movement between the two countries.
This loophole in the system is believed to have contributed to the rise in asylum applications.
The Irish Department of Justice reported a sharp increase in Jordanian asylum seekers in 2024.
It rose from 29 in January and February to 512 in July, and the increasing trend continued in the following months.
This surge in asylum applications has been linked to the introduction of the ETA scheme for Jordanian nationals starting in February 2024.
In just the first seven months of 2024, Ireland saw 1,549 asylum applications from Jordanians, compared to only 53 in the previous year.
An Irish government official said the sharp increase in asylum seekers from Jordan had strained Ireland’s immigration system.
Both Ireland and the UK are addressing this issue, and they are working closely with Jordan to find solutions.
A UK government spokesperson said they are taking steps to ensure that the ETA scheme is not exploited.
What’s next for Jordanian visitors to the UK
The recent changes highlight how immigration and asylum issues can have wide-reaching consequences for travel policies.
The misuse of the UK’s ETA system by a small group of individuals has resulted in stricter requirements for all Jordanian travelers.
Jordanian travelers who previously had easier access to the UK via the ETA for tourism or business must now adjust to new entry requirements.
They must prepare for a longer and more involved visa process than they experienced under the UK ETA system.
For some, this change could deter travel to the UK altogether, as it adds both cost and complexity to their plans.
Jordanian travelers must familiarize themselves with the new visa application rules and plan their trips accordingly to avoid disruptions.