By Paul Richmond – Managing Companion
In This Article
1. Introduction
2. Why Is the Visa Requirement Being Reinstated for Jordanian Citizens?
3. Transition Period for Jordanian Nationals With Existing Bookings
4. Changes to Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Jordan
5. Additional Transit Visa Requirement for Jordanian Nationals
6. Ensuring Fairness and Integrity
7. Contact our Immigration Barristers
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Glossary
10. Additional Resources
1. Introduction
In its newest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 217), revealed on 10 September 2024, the UK authorities has introduced the quick reintroduction of a visa requirement for Jordanian nationals, in response to a major rise in misuse of journey authorisations by guests and transit passengers from Jordan. The newly reinstated visa regime is geared toward guaranteeing the integrity of the UK’s immigration system and addressing rising issues in regards to the inappropriate use of go to and transit permissions.
2. Why Is the Visa Requirement Being Reinstated for Jordanian Residents?
The choice to reapply a visa requirement comes after a considerable improve in Jordanian nationals travelling to the UK for functions not permitted beneath the go to and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) provisions. Particularly, many have tried to stay, work, or declare asylum within the UK with out correct authorisation. Official statistics present a pointy rise in entry refusals, from simply 10 in 2023 to 463 between April and June 2024. Equally, asylum claims by Jordanian nationals have surged, with 261 claims in the newest quarter, in comparison with simply 17 within the final quarter of 2023.
This misuse of journey permissions has prolonged past the UK, with a notable improve in Jordanian nationals transiting by way of the UK en path to Eire after which making use of for asylum there. Current knowledge from the Irish International Protection Office signifies that Jordanian nationals ranked because the second highest nationality for asylum claims in Eire throughout Might, June, and July 2024, additional reinforcing the necessity for stricter journey laws.
3. Transition Interval for Jordanian Nationals With Current Bookings
The implementation of the visa requirement features a transition interval for Jordanian nationals. Throughout this time, Jordanian residents with a sound Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) and a confirmed journey reserving to the UK are allowed to journey to the UK with out a visa.
The transition interval started at 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024 (when the visa requirement for Jordanian residents was launched) and can final till 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024 (28 days later). To qualify, Jordanian travellers will need to have a confirmed reserving and legitimate ETA granted earlier than 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024, and their arrival within the UK have to be earlier than 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024.
These whose journey plans fall outdoors this transition interval or who alter their confirmed journey dates can be required to acquire a visa prematurely and won’t be permitted to enter the UK with simply an ETA.
4. Adjustments to Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) for Jordan
As a part of these adjustments, Jordan has additionally been faraway from the list of nationalities eligible for an ETA, guaranteeing that Jordanian nationals might want to apply for a visa earlier than visiting or transiting by way of the UK. This modification is topic to the transition interval talked about above for Jordanian nationals who had obtained an ETA and booked journey to the UK previous to the imposition.
5. Extra Transit Visa Requirement for Jordanian Nationals
Along side the brand new visa guidelines, Jordanian nationals will now additionally require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) when transiting by way of the UK. This is applicable to passengers who stay airside and don’t go by way of UK border management throughout their transit. The goal is to stop misuse of airside transit as a loophole to assert asylum within the UK or different locations, thereby bypassing the newly imposed visa requirement.
6. Making certain Equity and Integrity
The UK authorities is dedicated to sustaining the integrity of its immigration system and guaranteeing that people adjust to the principles set out for journey and residency. The reintroduction of the visa regime for Jordanian nationals displays this dedication, guaranteeing that the UK can assess candidates earlier than they arrive and forestall those that don’t meet the necessities from coming into the nation. The transition interval and different amendments goal to strike a stability between efficient enforcement and equity for travellers who’ve made professional plans beneath the earlier system.
In case you are impacted by these adjustments to the UK’s Immigration Guidelines for Jordanian nationals and would love skilled help with making ready a UK visa software, contact our immigration barristers in London on 0203 617 9173 or full our enquiry type.
Why has the UK reintroduced the visa requirement for Jordanian nationals?
The visa requirement has been reintroduced attributable to a major rise in misuse of journey permissions by Jordanian nationals, together with makes an attempt to stay, work, or declare asylum within the UK with out correct authorisation. This determination goals to guard the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
When does the brand new visa regime for Jordanian nationals take impact?
The visa requirement took impact instantly with the publication of the UK authorities’s Assertion of Adjustments to the Immigration Guidelines (HC 217) on 10 September 2024.
Is there a transition interval for Jordanian nationals with current bookings?
Sure, there’s a transition interval till 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024. Jordanian nationals who obtained an Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) and confirmed their journey reserving earlier than 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024 can nonetheless journey to the UK with out a visa, supplied they arrive earlier than the tip of the transition interval.
Can I nonetheless use my ETA if I used to be granted one earlier than the visa requirement was reinstated?
You should use your beforehand granted ETA solely if in case you have a confirmed journey reserving earlier than 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024 and your arrival within the UK is earlier than 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024, throughout the transition interval. After that, a visa can be required.
What occurs if I alter my journey plans after 10 September 2024?
In case your journey dates fall outdoors the transition interval otherwise you change your confirmed journey reserving, you have to to use for a visa, as your earlier ETA will not be legitimate.
Are Jordanian nationals nonetheless eligible for an Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA)?
No, Jordanian nationals have been faraway from the checklist of nationalities eligible for an ETA. They need to now apply for a visa earlier than visiting or transiting by way of the UK.
Do Jordanian nationals require a visa for transit by way of the UK?
Sure, beneath the brand new guidelines, Jordanian nationals transiting by way of the UK would require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV), even when they continue to be airside and don’t go by way of UK border management.
How does this new visa regime have an effect on Jordanian nationals travelling to Eire through the UK?
Jordanian nationals who transit by way of the UK en path to Eire will nonetheless want a visa for his or her UK transit. This measure goals to stop misuse of the transit route for asylum claims.
What ought to I do if I would like help with my UK visa software?
You possibly can contact our immigration legal professionals in London for help with making ready your UK visa software by calling 0203 617 9173 or finishing an enquiry type on our web site.
Visa Requirement: An official coverage mandating that residents of a particular nation should apply for and acquire a visa previous to coming into one other nation for any function, comparable to visiting, working, or transiting.
Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA): A pre-authorisation system permitting travellers from sure nations to go to or transit by way of the UK with out a full visa. Jordanian nationals had been beforehand eligible for an ETA, however as of 10 September 2024, they need to now get hold of a visa.
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV): A visa required for sure nationalities, together with Jordanian nationals, to transit by way of the UK with out passing by way of immigration management. This is applicable to passengers staying airside throughout their transit.
Transition Interval: A brief timeframe permitting Jordanian nationals who already possess a sound ETA and confirmed journey reserving earlier than 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024 to journey to the UK with out a visa, so long as their arrival happens earlier than 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024.
Assertion of Adjustments to the Immigration Guidelines (HC 217): A proper doc issued by the UK authorities on 10 September 2024, outlining the reintroduction of visa necessities for Jordanian nationals and different immigration-related adjustments.
Immigration System: The set of insurance policies, legal guidelines, and procedures a rustic makes use of to handle the entry, keep, and departure of overseas nationals. The reintroduction of the visa regime for Jordanian nationals goals to safeguard the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
Entry Refusal: A state of affairs the place a overseas nationwide is denied entry to a rustic at its border or immigration management. On this context, the UK has seen a pointy rise in refusals of entry for Jordanian nationals.
Asylum Declare: A proper request made by a overseas nationwide looking for safety overseas attributable to persecution or a well-founded concern of persecution of their residence nation. The surge in asylum claims by Jordanian nationals has been a key issue within the reinstatement of the visa requirement.
UK Border Management: The safety and immigration procedures at UK ports of entry, the place travellers’ paperwork and identities are checked to make sure they meet the required necessities for coming into the UK.
Misuse of Journey Permissions: The act of utilizing a visa or journey authorisation for functions apart from these legally permitted, comparable to coming into the UK to work or declare asylum with out the suitable authorisation.
Confirmed Journey Reserving: A verified and scheduled journey association, comparable to a flight or prepare ticket. Jordanian nationals with a confirmed reserving and ETA earlier than 10 September 2024 can journey to the UK throughout the transition interval.
Irish Worldwide Safety Workplace: The federal government workplace chargeable for processing asylum purposes in Eire. The rise in Jordanian nationals claiming asylum in Eire through the UK contributed to the reintroduction of the visa regime.
