Jamaica exempt from UK new ETA requirement

KINGSTON, Jamaica— The British High Commission in Jamaica has moved to clarify recent media reports and public discourse regarding the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for those visiting from several countries, including some Caribbean nations.

“The UK government can confirm that Jamaican nationals are not affected by this new requirement and will continue to require a visa for entry,” the high commission said in a statement Friday.

It explained that the new ETA rule, which came into effect on January 8, 2025, applies to nationals of countries that do not currently require a visa to enter the UK.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Judith Slater said “The introduction of ETA is an important step in enhancing the UK’s border security and managing travel more efficiently. However, it is important to note that the new ETA policy applies only to nationals of visa-exempt countries. Jamaicans will continue to require a visa for travel to the UK. We encourage all Jamaican nationals to refer to the official UK government website at www.gov.uk for full details on visa application procedures”.

Source: Jamaicaoberver.com

I guess they really want Jamaica to stay under the Monarchy but to sweeten the pot, they need to drop the visa requirement too.

Didn't Blair's Labour government introduce the need for visas for Jamaicans back in the late 1990s? Yardie drug gang violence in Britain was a big story in the 1990s. That problem was mostly solved, only for the Russians, Albanians, Turks, etc., to step into the void.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Less than 20000 visitors coming from the UK per year, and I suspect most could get a Jamaican passport, let them apply for Jamaican visas!

In reply to camos

With tourism booming in Jamaica, I guess the government couldn’t care less what UK does, the cost of JA departure tax on them, quietly makes up for any JA entry visa requirement.