UK ends visa-free travel for Jordanian nationals amid asylum concerns
ETA allows travellers to make unlimited visits to Britain over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires
London: The UK government has announced the end of visa-free travel for Jordanian nationals due to an increase in asylum claims, marking a significant shift in its immigration policies.
The change, which comes into effect immediately, will require Jordanians to apply for a visa instead of using the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system that was introduced earlier this year.
The ETA system, launched in October 2023 and expanded to include Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries in February 2024, allowed travellers to visit the UK multiple times over two years for a £10 fee.
British authorities have cited growing misuse of the system, with an increasing number of Jordanian nationals entering the UK to seek asylum rather than for permitted visitor purposes.
Rise in asylum claim/fraud and transit abuse
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper explained that the decision was driven by a significant rise in asylum claims from Jordanian nationals and an alarming increase in border refusals. Refusals at the UK border rose from 22 in the first quarter of this year to 463 by June, while asylum claims escalated from 17 in late 2023 to 261 by mid-2024. Authorities also uncovered that many Jordanians were not only overstaying their visits but were also using the UK as a gateway to reach the US through unconventional routes.
It was reported that some Jordanian travellers were arriving in the UK or Turkey—both countries that either offer visa-free entry or simplified travel processes for Jordanians—and then traveling onward to Nicaragua. From there, they would make their way north through Mexico to the US border. This transit pattern raised red flags for UK immigration authorities, prompting closer scrutiny and ultimately the decision to reinstate visa requirements for Jordanian nationals.
"We've observed a significant increase in asylum claims from Jordanian nationals, as well as a high rate of border refusals," Cooper said in a statement to the House of Commons. "This has added pressure on our border operations, and we're taking action to ensure our visitor rules are respected."
Further complicating the situation, UK officials have raised concerns about Jordanians claiming asylum under false pretenses. There have been allegations that some Jordanian nationals have applied for asylum in Ireland by falsely identifying themselves as Palestinian citizens.
These fraudulent claims, coupled with the rise in asylum applications at UK borders, have contributed to the tightening of travel policies for Jordanian nationals.
Transition period
For Jordanian travellers holding an existing ETA with confirmed travel plans, a four-week transition period will be in place. However, any new bookings made after 3 p.m. on October 8, 2024, will require a visa.
The ETA system will continue to be available to other countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.
Travel industry professionals in Jordan have expressed disappointment at the policy reversal as it boosted demand for flights to the UK, particularly after Royal Jordanian launched new services to Stansted and Manchester earlier this year.
However, the manager acknowledged that "many Jordanians obtained the ETA easily and overstayed their visits."
The future of ETA
Despite the setback with Jordan, the UK government plans to expand the ETA scheme to more nationalities by November 2024. By January 2025, travellers from most countries, except European Union member states, will need an ETA to enter the UK. European citizens will require an ETA starting in April 2025.
The UK government argues that the scheme improves border security by providing more information about visitors before they arrive. "The robust security checks under the ETA system help prevent the misuse of our immigration system," the Home Office stated.
While some critics, including Heathrow Airport officials, have voiced concerns that the ETA system could harm tourism by complicating transit travel, the government remains committed to its expansion. However, the recent developments with Jordan have cast a spotlight on the challenges of balancing open travel with immigration control.