Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules

10 September 2024 · Home Office

Proposed by Seema Malhotra Lab Co-op Feltham and Heston

Immigration

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government introduces a visa requirement for all visitors from Jordan effective at 15:00 BST on 2024-09-10.
  • An Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme will be implemented for non-visa nationalities in November 2024 and for European nationals in March 2025.
  • Other changes include ending diplomatic visa waivers and introducing VIP Delegate Visas, as well as amending rules for bereaved partners and Gurkha veterans.

Issue summary

The statement addresses changes in UK immigration rules, including the introduction of a visa requirement for Jordanian nationals and the implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.

Action requested

The government is introducing a visa requirement on all visitors from Jordan effective at 15:00 BST today. Additionally, the ETA scheme will be rolled out to non-visa nationalities in November 2024 and to European nationals in March 2025. Other changes include ending diplomatic visa waivers, introducing VIP Delegate Visas, and amending rules for bereaved partners and Gurkha veterans.

Key facts

  • Nationals of Jordan will require a UK visa effective at 15:00 BST on 10 September 2024.
  • A four-week transition period is provided until 15:00 BST on 8 October 2024 for those with existing ETAs and confirmed bookings before the deadline.
  • The ETA scheme will apply to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia first, then to all non-visa nationalities in November 2024, and European nationals in March 2025.
  • Diplomatic Visa Waivers are being phased out by February 2025, introducing a 'Diplomatic Visa Arrangement' (DVA).
  • The VIP Delegate Visa will be capped at twenty issues for government officials accompanying Heads of State and ten for Government Ministers.
  • Bereaved partners who cannot afford the fee for settlement can benefit from a fee waiver if destitute starting on 9 October 2024.
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