The previous administration introduced the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system in November 2023 for travelers entering or transiting through the UK who do not have legal residence rights or a visa. Currently, this requirement applies to nationals from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the ETA scheme will be available to all other nationals, excluding Europeans, beginning in November 2024, with mandatory implementation from January 8, 2025. The scheme will be extended to European nationals in March 2025, and they will be required to obtain an ETA starting April 2, 2025.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Ms. Cooper explained: “Once fully implemented, the ETA scheme will address the current gap in advance permissions and provide a comprehensive understanding of those traveling to the United Kingdom.”
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and allow for multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over a two-year period, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
The Home Office stated that ETAs ensure “more robust security checks before travelers begin their journey to the UK,” which helps to prevent “abuse of our immigration system.”
However, Heathrow Airport has reported a 90,000 drop in transfer passenger numbers on routes included in the ETA system since its introduction, calling the program “devastating for our hub competitiveness” and urging the Government to reconsider the inclusion of airside transit passengers.
Additionally, Ms. Cooper announced a new visa requirement for all visitors from Jordan, effective Tuesday at 3pm, due to breaches of visitor rules. Jordanian nationals will no longer be able to enter the UK with an ETA. A four-week transition period will be in place for travelers who already hold an ETA and have confirmed travel bookings.
Ms. Cooper stated: “We are implementing this visa requirement due to an increase in the number of Jordanian nationals traveling to the UK for purposes not permitted under visitor rules since the visa requirement was lifted in February 2024. This has led to a significant rise in asylum claims and high refusal rates at the border due to individuals traveling without the intention of visiting for a permitted purpose.”
She added that this decision was made “solely for migration and border security reasons,” and emphasized that the UK’s relationship with Jordan “remains strong and friendly.”
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