Jordanians in UK call for reinstating ETA in letter to PM Starmer

The chairman of the Jordanian Forum in the United Kingdom, Helmi Al-Harahsheh, and the forum's vice chairman, Counselor Ali Al-Qadoumi, delivered a formal letter Wednesday to the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The letter detailed the fruitful cooperation between the Jordanian and British people across academic, professional, economic and cultural fields. It also highlighted the deep historical ties between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening these bonds by facilitating travel and social interaction.

The forum called for the reinstatement of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The letter urged the prime minister to reconsider the Home Secretary's decision in September 2024 to halt the issuance of electronic visas for Jordanians.

The decision has negatively impacted many Jordanians, both residing in the UK and in Jordan, the letter stated. The ETA system previously facilitated visits between family members and strengthened family and social ties between the two countries.

The forum emphasized in its letter that the vast majority of Jordanians respect international immigration laws and that the ETA system was an effective way to bolster relations between the two peoples.

Reinstating the ETA system would reflect a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries and support the continuation of positive relations developed over past decades, the letter said.

The Jordanian Forum in the UK is considered the main representative of the Jordanian community in Britain, working to represent their interests and promote cultural, social and economic cooperation between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Kingdom.