UK reimposes visa requirement for Jordan as asylum claims surge under ETA system

The United Kingdom has re-introduced a visa requirement for Jordanian nationals on Tuesday, rescinding the previous electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system over alleged "misuse" and an increase of Jordanians seeking asylum. 

According to an internal memo seen by The New Arab, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had notified Jordan of her government's intention to end the ETA system over the rise in the number of Jordanian citizens applying for asylum in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In a letter to Jordan's foreign ministry, Cooper reportedly also stressed that the ETA system was being "exploited" by individuals as well as organised crime groups, including human traffickers. 

The move came as part of changes to immigration rules by the new Labour government published on Tuesday.

The government noted a "significant increase" in Jordanian nationals who had travelled to the UK for "purposes that are not permitted under the [ETA] provisions, such as to live, work or claim asylum".

The number of asylum claims made by Jordanian nationals in the UK rose from 17 in the final quarter of 2023 to 77 in the first quarter 2024, and 261 in the most recent published quarter.

The government also noted an increase in Jordanian nationals using the system to transit through the UK to claim asylum in Ireland.

According to statistics published by the Ireland International Protection Office, Jordanian nationals were the second-highest nationality for asylum claims made in Ireland in May, June and July 2024.

The New Arab has contacted the Home Office for comment.