Following an update to the Immigration Rules on 10 September, we will set out the key changes:

Jordan is added to Appendix Visitor Visa national list

Jordan has now been added to the Visit Visa national list and removed from the list authorised to use Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This is effective from 10 September 2024 3pm. This means that Jordanian nationals will now need to apply for a visit visa to the UK in advance of travel.

It should be noted that a 28 day transition period has been put in place for Jordanian nationals who held a valid ETA and confirmed travel booking prior to 3pm on 10 September 2024. Anyone arriving after the transition period will require a visa.

Fee waivers for bereaved partners

Appendix Bereaved Partner and Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997 are being amended to introduce a fee waiver for bereaved partners. Bereaved partners in this route will be able to apply for a fee waiver if they can demonstrate that they are or will become destitute if required to pay the visa fee. This will take effect from 9 October 2024.

Further roll out of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

A new Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation National List is being introduced which hwill list all the nationalities that can use the ETA scheme and the date from which it will be a requirement.

 From 8 January 2025 it will be a requirement for all nationalities except Europeans to have an ETA in order to enter the UK from 2 April 2025.

Changes are also being made to the ETA scheme that will allow the Home Office to refuse or cancel an ETA where the person has previously overstayed and left the UK voluntarily. They may be refused in the following cases:

• those who have previously been refused a visit visa will be refused an ETA unless they have been granted a visit visa since then
• those who have previously had an ETA cancelled for reasons other than on suitability grounds.

Adult dependent relatives under Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997

Adult dependent relatives are being added to the eligibility criteria in Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997, meaning that they can be granted leave in this route where the Home Office is satisfied that not doing so would be a breach of article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Refusals will attract a right of appeal. This will be effective from 8 October 2024

Appendix Student

The maintenance requirement for students is being increased to match the maintenance loans available for home students for the 2024-25 academic year. The maximum amount for the accommodation offset has also been increased. This will take effect from 2 January 2025.

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

There are new provisions allowing pre-settled status to be curtailed (subject to a right of appeal) where the person has helped someone to obtain, or to attempt to obtain, EUSS leave or an EUSS family permit fraudulently after the end of the transition period. This will be effective from 8 October 2024.

Joining family members will be required to apply to the EUSS within three months of their first (not most recent) arrival in the UK since the end of the transition period (otherwise it will be deemed a late application).

SINCERE IMMIGRATION