According to documents released to RTÉ News under Freedom of Information, Department of Justice officials in Ireland linked a “marked increase” in Jordanian asylum seekers to British visa changes – months before the loophole was eventually closed, according to documents released to RTÉ News under Freedom of Information. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was opened to citizens of Jordan in February 2024 and access to the scheme was revoked in October of that year, allowing travelers to enter the UK visa-free for £10.
Internal Department Emails Trace the Rise in Jordanian Asylum Claims
Department officials tracked the shift through internal correspondence as application numbers climbed rapidly. An email dated 27 May 2024, bearing the subject header “Arrivals to Ireland through NI”, noted that only six Jordanian applicants sought protection in January 2024, followed by 23 in February. Officials observed that the UK introduced its new ETA scheme for Jordanian nationals on 22 February 2024. Applications subsequently rose to 127 in March, 140 in April, and 328 in May up to the date of the message. “The UKs (sic) new ETA is believe(d) to be the link with the rise in applications of Jordanian nationals in Ireland in 2024,” department officials stated.
A follow-up email sent in early June reiterated these findings. Jordanian nationals represented the nationality with the highest number of applications in May at 422. By July, total Jordanian asylum claims for the year surpassed 1,000. Then-Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced in late July that Jordanian arrivals would face “accelerated processing” due to the high volume of applications. Government IPAS statistics showed the number of Jordanian asylum seekers reached over 1,600 by September.
UK Legislation Removes Jordan from ETA to Protect Common Travel Area
Department officials confirmed the policy reversal on 10 September 2024, noting that the UK government published legislation removing Jordan from the ETA program. An internal message stated that travelers with booked flights and purchased ETAs could enter until 8 October. The explanatory memorandum published by the UK government specifically cited Ireland and the increase of international protection applicants seen over the previous six months as a reason for withdrawing Jordan from the scheme. It also said that removing them from ETA would “support the integrity and effective functioning of the Common Travel Area”. Government figures show that by 13 October, after the UK closed the ETA pathway, total Jordanian asylum claims in Ireland reached 2,083.
Did you know?
According to internal Department of Justice emails, Jordanian applications rose from just 6 in January 2024 to 422 by May 2024, making them the nationality with the highest number of monthly applications at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the UK introduce and remove the ETA for Jordanian citizens?
The UK introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for Jordanian nationals on 22 February 2024 and revoked access to it in October 2024.
How many Jordanian asylum seekers arrived in Ireland during 2024?
According to Government IPAS statistics and Department figures cited by RTÉ News, Jordanian asylum claims rose from single digits early in the year to 1,000 by July, 1,600 by September, and 2,083 by 13 October.
Why did the UK remove Jordan from the ETA scheme?
The UK government’s explanatory memorandum cited Ireland and the increase in international protection applicants observed over the prior six months, noting the change would support the Common Travel Area’s integrity.
Keep reading