‘Misuse’ leads UK to end electronic visas for Jordanians

The British government has decided to cancel the electronic permits (ETA) system for Jordanians as of yesterday and reinstated the requirement to obtain a visa for Jordanian citizens prior to entering the UK.

The official spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Sufyan Qudah, said in a statement on the ministry’s account on X that the British authorities made the change as a result of the “misuse” of the procedure by some citizens who travelled to the UK.

Qudah explained that the ministry held talks with the British authorities to develop solutions to address the violations, in the meantime the UK has reverted to the previous regular visa system that was in effect prior to February.

He also confirmed that the British decision is subject to amendment in the future, and that talks are ongoing with the British side to re-adopt the electronic visa system ETA in order to facilitate the visit of Jordanians to the UK.

According to sources, the UK justified its decision by highlighting the increase in the number of Jordanians seeking asylum in the UK or Ireland, in addition to the exploitation of the electronic permit system by organised crime groups to deceive Jordanians and abuse the Irish border for human trafficking operations through South America to get Jordanians to the US.

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