Jordan – Residency

What types of residency are available to foreign nationals in Jordan?

Jordan’s residency structure is managed by the Borders and Residence Department of the Public Security Directorate, the body tasked with overseeing the movement and stay of all visitors to the Hashemite Kingdom, operating under Residency Law No. 24 of 1973. Rather than using a points-based selection model — as Canada does with its Express Entry system — Jordan links residency status directly to a recognised reason for being in the country. The categories available to foreign nationals are outlined below.

Annual (Temporary) Residency — Iqama

The annual temporary permit, commonly called the “Iqama,” is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a one-year period. It is granted on the basis of documented family or marital ties to a Jordanian citizen, enrolment at a recognised educational institution, a valid work permit, or confirmed investment activity within the Jordanian economy. This permit serves as the standard residency document for the majority of working expatriates, students, and those with family connections, and it must be renewed each year.

Work-Based Residency

A foreign national arriving in Jordan with an appropriate entry visa must apply for both a work permit through the Ministry of Labour and a residency permit through the relevant security directorate. All foreign nationals seeking legal employment in Jordan are required to hold a work permit — there are no exceptions. The permit remains valid for one year and is subject to annual renewal. Because the employer is central to initiating and supporting the application, this is fundamentally an employer-driven process.

Student Residency

Prospective international students must secure enrolment at a Jordanian educational institution before their student visa can be issued. Following admission and entry into the country, a student residency permit — an Iqama — is granted for one year and renewed annually, contingent on maintained enrolment. This arrangement mirrors student residency frameworks in many other countries, where continued legal status depends entirely on ongoing registration at an approved institution.

Family Reunification Residency

Foreigners who have an immediate family member already legally residing in Jordan may be eligible for residency through the family reunification route. Those married to Jordanian nationals, or who are dependants of Jordanian citizens, may be granted a family residency permit. Spouses of Jordanian nationals benefit from a more direct pathway and are not subject to the financial deposit conditions that apply to certain other categories of long-term applicants.

Five-Year Long-Stay Residency

Eligibility for the five-year permit requires that the applicant has lived lawfully in Jordan for a continuous period of ten years — except for wives of Jordanian men, who are exempt from this condition. Crucially, that decade of prior residence must not have been on the basis of employment. This qualifying threshold is considerably longer than the five-year routes available in many European countries, and the prohibition on work-based prior residency means the pathway suits primarily those who have held family or investment permits. As of 2025, applicants who do not own residential property in Jordan must provide a bank certificate confirming a JOD 10,000 deposit (see the following section for details on recent changes to this requirement).

Investor Residency (Real Estate)

Foreign nationals who purchase one or more properties with a combined value of at least JOD 200,000 — as assessed by the Department of Lands and Survey — are entitled to a five-year residency permit. The property must be held for a minimum of five years without being sold, mortgaged, or transferred, and it must serve residential purposes under a separate title deed. The resulting permit is renewable every five years; however, this programme does not serve as a pathway to Jordanian citizenship under any circumstances, irrespective of how many years an investor holds their property or permit.

Retirement Residency

Jordan offers a residency option for foreign retirees who can demonstrate adequate financial self-sufficiency and have no intention of taking up employment in the country. Applicants must satisfy the income or savings thresholds set by the relevant authorities, which are subject to periodic revision. For the most current figures and requirements, consult the Ministry of Interior’s official website.

Citizenship by Investment (Separate from Residency)

Jordan’s earlier three-tier citizenship-by-investment scheme has been replaced by a broader framework comprising eight distinct investment pathways, with annual approvals capped at 500 investors. The Cabinet formally adopted this revised framework on 2 July 2025. The new system introduces routes covering stock market participation, employment-based eligibility, a standalone residency-by-investment programme independent of citizenship, and sector-specific opportunities in industries such as pharmaceuticals and logistics. This programme operates entirely separately from standard residency permits and should not be conflated with ordinary immigration routes.

How does temporary residency work in Jordan, and how can it lead to permanent residency?

Jordan’s temporary residency system operates on an annual renewal cycle. In contrast to countries such as Germany or the Netherlands, which may issue long-term residence permits once a qualifying threshold has been met, Jordan requires foreign nationals to renew their Iqama every year and to maintain throughout that period a valid basis for being in the country. Accumulating a certain number of renewals alone does not trigger automatic conversion to long-term status.

The Director of Public Security holds authority to renew residence permits annually in line with the provisions of the Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs Law. Permit holders must sustain the condition underpinning their residency — whether that is an active employment contract, continued student enrolment, a family connection, or a qualifying investment — in order to be eligible for renewal. If that basis disappears, such as when an employment contract is terminated, the permit ceases to be valid and the individual must take steps to regularise their status.

Before leaving Jordan for the final time, a foreign national is required to return their residence permit to the Directorate or one of its regional offices. Should they re-enter the country before the permit’s original expiry date, it may be retrieved and reinstated, on the condition that the period spent outside Jordan did not exceed six months. This rule is notably more stringent than those in many other countries and has real practical implications: an absence of more than half a year results in the permanent loss of the existing permit.

Progressing from temporary to long-term residency demands considerable patience and careful planning. The five-year permit requires a full decade of lawful residence in Jordan, and that preceding period must not have been on a work basis. In practice, this obliges those who have spent years on annual work permits to transition to another qualifying basis — such as family or investment-based status — before their ten years can count toward the five-year permit. Given this complexity, consulting a qualified immigration lawyer in Jordan is strongly advisable before embarking on this route.

In February 2025, the Jordanian Cabinet abolished the requirement for foreign property owners who had been living in the country for more than two years to lodge a JOD 10,000 bank deposit as part of their residency application. At the same time, the deposit required from non-property owners applying for a five-year permit was halved — reduced from JOD 20,000 (around $28,000) to JOD 10,000 (around $14,000). These changes represent a meaningful reduction in financial barriers for prospective long-stay residents as of 2025. Because requirements may be amended again, always verify the current deposit figure with the Ministry of Interior before submitting an application.

How do you apply for residency in Jordan?

Applying for a residency permit in Jordan involves coordinating with several government bodies and attending in person at various stages. Unlike jurisdictions where applications can be completed online from abroad, Jordan’s process is predominantly conducted within the country. The following is a step-by-step guide to the typical procedure for an annual residency permit. Investor and five-year permit applications may follow slightly different procedures — consult the Public Security Directorate and Ministry of Interior for the most current guidance.

1. Obtain the correct entry visa. Foreign nationals intending to work in Jordan should secure a Work/Entry Visa before travelling, as this initial clearance enables them to subsequently apply for a work permit and residency permit once in the country. Those coming for study or family reunification should likewise apply for the visa category that corresponds to their intended purpose.
2. Register with local authorities within 14 days. From 1 October 2025, all foreign nationals planning to remain in Jordan for more than two weeks are required to submit a formal registration request to the Public Security Directorate, one of its branch offices, or a local police station before the first two-week period following their arrival has elapsed.
3. Obtain work permit approval (if applicable). For employment-based residency, the employer initiates the work permit process with the Ministry of Labour. The submitted documentation undergoes review — which may include an assessment of local labour market conditions and the applicant’s qualifications — before approval is granted.
4. Collect required documents. First-time annual residency applicants must obtain Ministry of Interior approval, complete address registration and fingerprinting at the nearest police station, and present a medical clearance certificate from an approved medical facility.
5. Submit the residency application at the Borders and Residence Department. The residency application form is completed and lodged at the Borders and Residence Department or at any of its authorised issuing branches across the Kingdom.
6. Undergo document and background checks. Officials verify all documentation submitted with the application and conduct a criminal record check on the applicant.
7. Receive your residency card. Once the transaction has been recorded in the relevant register, the residency card is issued and delivered to the applicant. The overall process can be lengthy due to administrative demand and procedural requirements, with finalisation sometimes taking several months and work permits in particular requiring multiple visits to government offices.

For the investor residency pathway via real estate, the process begins with identifying a qualifying property worth at least JOD 200,000 and securing an official valuation, after which the applicant submits their documentation and application to the Ministry of Interior’s Investor Committee. Authorities then verify compliance with ownership and value requirements, and upon approval, a five-year residency permit is extended to the principal applicant and qualifying family members.

For the five-year long-stay residency, the application is referred to the residency department for review and a formal opinion from the relevant authorities. A letter addressed to the appropriate bank is then prepared to reserve or confirm the required deposit, following which the five-year permit is approved and the applicant completes the final administrative steps at the Borders and Residence Department.

Processing durations for standard annual permits typically range from several weeks to a few months; current estimates should be confirmed directly with the Public Security Directorate, as timelines fluctuate by category and workload.

What documents do you need to apply for residency in Jordan?

Required documents differ across residency categories, and the definitive checklist should always be confirmed with the Borders and Residence Department or the Ministry of Interior before lodging any application. The information below reflects the general requirements for the principal residency categories.

For annual (temporary) residency

• A valid passport, together with proof of the qualifying basis for residency — employment, study enrolment, or investment activity — as well as a medical clearance certificate and, for certain categories, a background check.
• Ministry of Interior approval, address registration and fingerprinting completed at the nearest police station, and a medical clearance certificate issued by an approved medical centre.
• A completed residency application form, obtainable at the Borders and Residence Department.
• For work-based residency: a medical examination report from an approved facility in Jordan, the employer’s business registration documents, a signed employment contract, and photographs of the employee.

For five-year long-stay residency

• A letter of recommendation from the Department of Residency and Borders, together with a copy of the applicant’s passport or travel document showing the most recent entry stamp into the Kingdom.
• A bank certificate confirming a deposit of JOD 10,000, whether or not the applicant owns a registered residential property. For family members of an approved five-year permit holder, copies of their passports, the head of household’s residency permit, and a recommendation from the Residency and Borders Department are sufficient. Note: deposit requirements were revised in February 2025 — confirm the current figures with the Ministry of Interior before applying.

For investor residency (real estate)

• Valid passports for all applicants, along with proof of the property purchase accompanied by an official appraisal certificate.
• Evidence of the qualifying investment, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record certificate.
• A title deed or official registration certificate confirming that the property is registered in the applicant’s name.

Document requirements may vary according to the specific residency category being pursued, and additional materials may be requested for certain permit types such as the investor or retirement programmes. Consulting the relevant official authority or a qualified local immigration adviser to obtain a complete and current checklist for your personal circumstances is strongly recommended.

Do you need to register with any government department or authority after arriving in Jordan?

Registration following arrival is a mandatory and time-sensitive obligation — and one of the most consequential practical steps for any foreign national entering Jordan. Non-compliance carries direct financial penalties.

With effect from 1 October 2025, all foreign visitors and residents who intend to remain in Jordan for more than two weeks are required to submit a formal registration request to the Public Security Directorate, one of its branch offices, or a local police station within the first fourteen days from the date of their arrival. This obligation applies regardless of the visitor’s purpose of stay or how long they ultimately plan to remain in the country.

Foreign nationals who enter Jordan holding a long-term visa — including multi-entry visas of up to five years issued by the Ministry of Interior — must complete their registration at a police station within 14 days, and the standard registration rules and associated penalties apply to them in the same way as to all other visitors.

Any individual who fails to submit a formal registration request to the Public Security Directorate within the prescribed period will be held personally liable and fined JOD 200, payable in cash or by credit card. This penalty applies from October 2025 — check the Public Security Directorate website for any subsequent revisions to the fine amount.

There are narrow exceptions to the standard registration rules. A Jordan Pass tourist visa purchased online prior to travel covers a 30-day stay and exempts the holder from the fine during that window. Should the visitor wish to remain beyond 30 days, they may extend their stay by paying a visa extension fee of JOD 40 for the temporary residence renewal.

Beyond the initial registration requirement, foreign residents are also obliged to notify the relevant authorities of any change of residential address, and to keep their employment details up to date while living in Jordan. These ongoing obligations are comparable to address registration requirements enforced in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, where residents must inform local authorities whenever they move.

What are the rights and restrictions that come with residency in Jordan?

Holding a residency permit in Jordan confers the legal right to live in the country, but it also brings a specific set of conditions and limitations that differ in notable ways from residency regimes elsewhere in the world.

The right to work

A work permit is an absolute prerequisite for any foreign national who wishes to be lawfully employed in Jordan. The country applies strict rules governing the employment of non-Jordanians, and employers must be able to demonstrate that no suitable Jordanian candidate is available before they can hire a foreign worker. Holding a residency permit does not in itself confer the right to work — a separate employer-sponsored work permit is always necessary. Working without the required authorisation may result in fines, legal proceedings, or deportation.

Healthcare and public services

While Jordan operates a public healthcare system, foreign residents are not automatically entitled to free public healthcare in the manner that residents of countries with universal systems — such as NHS-style models — might expect. The majority of expatriates and long-term foreign residents depend on private health insurance, which is also commonly required as part of the residency application itself. Entitlements may differ according to the type of residency held and any bilateral health agreements between Jordan and the applicant’s home country; these details should be verified with the Ministry of Health or your employer.

Education

Children of foreign residents may attend school in Jordan, and Amman and other cities offer a range of international schools. Access to Jordanian state schools for non-national children can vary; families holding long-term family or work-based residency permits are advised to confirm entitlements directly with the Ministry of Education.

Travel and the six-month absence rule

A foreign national must surrender their residence permit to the Directorate before departing Jordan for the last time. If they return before the permit reaches its expiry date, it may be reclaimed — provided the time spent abroad did not exceed six months. Exceeding this six-month limit results in automatic forfeiture of the permit, obliging the individual to start the application process afresh. This is considerably more restrictive than the rules in many other countries, where absences of twelve months or more are typically permitted before a permit is considered lapsed.

Path to citizenship

Residency in Jordan does not automatically confer or lead to citizenship. A foreign woman married to a Jordanian citizen may apply for Jordanian nationality, but marriage to a Jordanian does not automatically grant citizenship to the foreign spouse. Standard naturalisation exists as a route but is discretionary and subject to approval by the Minister of Interior. The real estate investor residency programme carries an explicit exclusion: it does not lead to citizenship under any circumstances, regardless of how long an investor holds their property or maintains their permit.

Property ownership

Foreign nationals are permitted to own property in Jordan, subject to prior government approval. For most investment or residential purposes, the process is relatively accessible. However, any property acquired by a non-Jordanian buyer is subject to a lock-in period before it can be transferred — three years for residential properties and five years for all other property types — during which the property cannot be sold, assigned, or otherwise disposed of.

Where can you find reliable, up-to-date information on residency in Jordan?

Residency regulations in Jordan can change with limited advance notice, making it essential to consult authoritative sources before initiating any application. The following official channels provide the most reliable and current information.

• Public Security Directorate (PSD) — Borders and Residence Department: This department is the primary authority responsible for managing the entry and stay of all visitors to and from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Their website at psd.gov.jo is the principal source for residency permit procedures, application forms, and documentary requirements.
• Ministry of Interior (MOI): The Ministry holds overall responsibility for immigration policy, five-year residency permits, and visa approvals. The moi.gov.jo website provides e-services and official descriptions of processes, including the five-year long-stay permit.
• Government of Jordan Portal: The central government services portal at portal.jordan.gov.jo brings together service information from multiple ministries, covering everything from residency applications to investor services.
• Ministry of Labour: For work permit applications and employer compliance requirements, refer to the Ministry of Labour website.
• Jordan Investment Commission: Enquiries relating to investor residency and citizenship by investment are handled by the Jordan Investment Commission, which oversees due diligence and application processing. The JIC website should be consulted for current programme details, particularly following the significant July 2025 reforms.
• Jordanian embassies and consulates abroad: Prospective applicants can contact the nearest Jordanian diplomatic mission in their home country to clarify entry visa requirements and procedures before travelling to Jordan.
• Official Jordanian news agency (Petra): Policy announcements and formal government statements are published at petra.gov.jo, making it a useful resource for tracking recent regulatory developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a residency permit in Jordan?

Obtaining a residency permit in Jordan can be a lengthy process due to administrative demand and procedural requirements. Finalisation may take several months, and work-based permits in particular may require multiple in-person visits to various government offices. Timelines are not fixed and differ depending on the permit category. Seek up-to-date estimates directly from the Borders and Residence Department or the Ministry of Interior before beginning your application.

Can my family members be included in my residency application?

Yes. Approved investor residency holders may extend the five-year permit to eligible family members as part of the same application. For holders of annual permits, family members may apply separately for a family reunification permit, typically requiring copies of family members’ passports, the head of household’s residency permit, and a recommendation from the Residency and Borders Department.

What happens if a residency application is refused?

Significant discretionary authority in residency matters rests with the Ministry of Interior and the Director of Public Security. If an application is declined, the applicant should request a written explanation and seek guidance from a qualified Jordanian immigration lawyer on whether an appeal or reapplication is viable. There is no standardised public appeals mechanism equivalent to those in EU member states, making professional legal advice particularly valuable in these circumstances.

Can residency be lost through extended absence from Jordan?

Yes. A foreign national must hand in their residence permit before leaving Jordan for good. If they return before the permit expires, they may reclaim it, provided their time outside the country did not surpass six months. An absence of more than six months automatically results in the loss of the permit, requiring the individual to apply anew — a rule that is considerably stricter than those applied in many other jurisdictions.

Does residency in Jordan lead to citizenship?

Not automatically. The five-year long-stay permit requires ten years of prior legal residence and does not itself confer citizenship. The real estate investor residency programme carries an explicit exclusion from citizenship eligibility, regardless of the duration of property ownership or residency. Jordanian citizenship is accessible through a separate discretionary naturalisation process approved by the Minister of Interior, or through the citizenship-by-investment programme substantially restructured in July 2025.

What are the tax obligations for foreign residents in Jordan?

Jordan’s tax environment is generally regarded as favourable: there is no wealth tax or inheritance tax. Foreign residents earning income originating in Jordan may be liable for Jordanian income tax. Jordan has concluded double taxation agreements with a number of countries, which can influence an individual’s overall tax position. A qualified tax professional in both Jordan and your country of origin should be consulted to establish your full obligations before relocating.

Is there a digital nomad or remote worker visa in Jordan?

As of 2025, Jordan has not introduced a formally designated digital nomad or remote worker visa comparable to the dedicated schemes established by countries such as Portugal or Costa Rica. Individuals with demonstrable investment activity or self-sufficient income may, however, be able to qualify for residency under the investor or retirement categories. This is an area that continues to develop — monitor the Ministry of Interior and Jordan Investment Commission websites for any newly introduced permit categories.

What is the fine for overstaying or failing to register in Jordan?

Any foreign national who does not submit a formal registration request to the Public Security Directorate within the required period will be held personally liable for a fine of JOD 200, payable in cash or by credit card (as of October 2025). Visitors wishing to prolong their stay beyond the initial period may do so by paying a visa extension fee of JOD 40 for the temporary residence renewal. Persistent or serious violations of residency rules can result in deportation and future entry prohibitions, underscoring the importance of prompt registration.