UK Amends Immigration Rules with Statement of Changes, 10 September 2024

At a Glance

• Citizens of Jordan must now apply and be approved for a visa prior to seeking entry into the United Kingdom.
• The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will be open to all non-visa nationals, except Europeans, in November 2024, and will be opened to European nationals from March 2025.
• Diplomatic passport holders will be required to obtain an ETA before entering the UK.
• Members of an official visiting delegation will now require a VIP delegate visa.
• Some changes have been put in place regarding the EU Settlement Scheme, which allows EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK the right to remain after the Brexit transition period.
• Corrected salary rates for skilled workers under the Immigration Rules will be implemented from 8 October 2024.

On 10 September 2024, the UK government released its Statement of Changes amending the Immigration Rules. Key changes relevant to many of our clients are summarised below. 

Introduction of a Visa Requirement for Nationals of Jordan

• Citizens of Jordan must now apply and be approved for a visa prior to seeking entry into the United Kingdom.
• The requirement to apply for a Visit visa was lifted for Jordanian nationals in February 2024. However, it was found that many Jordanian nationals were engaging in activities not permitted under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, so the new requirement was introduced.
• Nationals of Jordan may continue to enter the United Kingdom on an ETA until 3pm BST on 8 October 2024, provided that their ETA was granted before 3pm BST on 24 September 2024. Otherwise, a visa is required.

Implementation/Extension of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme (ETA)

• In October 2023, the UK government announced the introduction of the ETA scheme, which requires non-visa nationals to obtain an ETA before seeking entry into the UK.
• The ETA scheme has been introduced in phases, with its implementation affecting an increasing number of non-visa nationalities.
• The government has now announced that the scheme will be open to all non-visa nationals, except Europeans, in November 2024. For these individuals, the ETA will become a travel requirement for individuals travelling to the UK on or after 8 January 2025.
• The scheme will be opened to European nationals from March 2025, and it will become a travel requirement for individuals travelling to the UK on or after 2 April 2025.

End of Diplomatic Visa Waivers and Introduction of the “Diplomatic Visa Arrangement” (DVA) Visitor Visa

• Diplomatic passport holders will be required to obtain an ETA before entering the UK.
• Individuals from countries requiring a visa will not be able to enter visa-free under the old Diplomatic Visa Waiver and will need to apply for a DVA visitor visa.
• The DVA visa application must be supported by the government of their nationality.

Introduction of the VIP Delegate Visa

• Members of an official visiting delegation will now require a VIP delegate visa.
• This will not include the individuals that are exempt under the Immigration (Exemption from Control) Order 1972 or the State Immunity Act 1978, such as heads of state or individuals from royal families. Members of their delegation, however, will be required to obtain a VIP delegate visa.

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• Some changes have been put in place regarding the EUSS, which allows EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK the right to remain after the Brexit transition period.
• These changes are as follows:
  • Individuals with pre-settled status under the EUSS can change their status automatically to settled status (indefinite leave to enter or remain) if they qualify and without needing to make a further application.
  • Any child resident in the UK before the transition period, and who has since turned 21, does not need to meet the requirements of dependency on their parents when making an application to the EUSS.
  • There will be simpler criteria for EUSS applications for family members of a deceased or divorced EEA or Swiss citizen who had right of residence and was actually residing in the UK prior to the transition period.
  • Individuals joining their family in the UK are required to apply for EUSS within three months of their first arrival in the UK after the end of the transition period.
  • EUSS status can be reduced if that person was found to be assisting another individual’s attempt to obtain EUSS leave fraudulently.

Skilled Worker Salary Rates

• Corrected salary rates for skilled workers under the Immigration Rules will be implemented from 8 October 2024.
• Employers are urged to refer to the Skilled Worker Guidance, which has the corrected salary rates.