Jordan Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide in 2026

The Jordan Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is a governmental initiative that allows foreign individuals to obtain Jordanian citizenship through approved investment channels. The program aims to stimulate the local economy and create jobs for Jordanians.  

The minimum investment for the Jordan CBI program starts at $705,000, and benefits of include a direct pathway to citizenship once the investment has been made, inclusion of immediate family members, and no physical presence requirements to qualify. 

Additionally, the Jordan Citizenship by Investment program confers full nationality rights, including the issuance of a Jordanian passport, with no distinction between naturalized and native-born citizens.  

This article will break down what the program is, who qualifies, the benefits, and the requirements to successfully acquire citizenship in Jordan. 

Key Takeaways 

• Jordan CBI’s program enables investors to acquire full citizenship and a passport for both them and their qualifying dependents.  
• The program offers a direct route to citizenship with no mandatory physical residency requirements.  
• All nationalities are eligible for the program, and the least expensive option starts at ~$705,000.  
• Individuals must either invest in equity in Jordanian companies, or in a job-creation program with a minimum number of jobs created varying by location.  
• Entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals are best suited for the program to gain a strategic foothold in the Middle East market.  

• Direct Route to Citizenship: Qualified investors become eligible for Jordanian citizenship after meeting investment and regulatory requirements providing a streamlined approach to the process. 
• Economic Contribution: Investments support local enterprise growth and job creation, contributing to the national economy. This can increase the overall strength of your investment over time.  
• Family Inclusion: Primary applicants can include spouses, children (unmarried – under 18 for male children, no age limit for female children), and dependent parents in the application. Additionally, citizenship may be inherited by children born after CBI has been granted. 
• Travel Access: A Jordanian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries in the region and over 50 countries globally. This enables greater ease of travel through the Middle East and beyond. 
• No Mandatory Physical Residency Before Citizenship: The program generally does not require long-term physical residency during the application and investment period. Final issuance requires a one-month stay for passport collection.  
• Return of Capital After Citizenship: Once citizenship is obtained, investors can usually withdraw their invested capital, subject to investment holding period requirements. 

To be eligible for the Jordan Citizenship by Investment program, you must meet the following requirements:  

• Citizenship: Applicants must be foreign nationals, and there are no restrictions on the nation that they are from. 
• Age: The primary applicant must be at least 18 at the time of the application. 
• Criminal Record: Applicants must present a clean criminal record, supported by official police clearance certificates from their country of origin and any other country of residence. All background checks are subject to security screening by Jordanian authorities. 
• Investment: The investment must meet the outlined capital thresholds and follow all procedures for eligibility. 
• Security Clearance: Applicant’s and their adult dependents are subject to national security vetting, which is mandatory and conducted prior to Cabinet approval. 

Family Eligibility 

The following are eligible dependents:  

• Spouse  
• Sons under 18  
• Unmarried, widowed, or divorced daughters with no age limit  
• Dependent parents  

Please note that dependents will require more documentation in their application. 

There are two paths to citizenship by investment in Jordan. They are capital investment in Jordanian company equity to a minimum value of JOD 1,000,000 (~$1.4–1.5 million) and investment in job-creating local projects to a minimum value of JOD 700,000 (~$985,000). The second path also requires the creation of 20 jobs for a minimum of three years.  

Capital Investment 

The capital investment path requires an investment of JOD 1,000,000 (~$1.4–1.5 million) in newly issued shares or equity stakes of one or more existing Jordanian companies. This investment must occur through licensed brokers or approved corporate transactions, and the funds must be unencumbered. This means no loans, pledges, or mortgages.  

The investment must be maintained for a period of at least three consecutive years. The shares must be properly registered and fully documented as well as compliant with all relevant regulations. Shares cannot be sold, transferred, or pledged during the holding period.  

Additionally, investment must meet economic substance requirements. They state that invested companies need to demonstrate genuine economic activity, operational continuity, and employment of Jordanian nationals. Evaluation will include the extent of employment impact, capital deployment, and contributions to the local economy. 

Job-Creating Local Projects 

This path requires an investment of JOD 700,000 (~$985,000) in a job-creating local project that creates 20 or more full-time jobs for Jordanian nationals within Amman. Outside of Amman, the requirements reduce to JOD 500,000 (~$705,000) and 10 full-time jobs for Jordanian nationals.  

Investment under this pathway must be in productive, operational businesses, and passive investment or holding structures are not eligible. The jobs that are created must be full-time and genuine. Additionally, these jobs, as well as the investment, must be maintained for a period of three consecutive years.  

Employees will need to be Jordanian nationals, and they will need to be registered with the Social Security Corporation. The project will need to show active operations, real payroll expenses, and commercial viability. On top of this, a defined period is given to meet the hiring targets, and this is subject to monitoring. 

Step 01/ Documentation  

You will need to gather the following documentation to begin your application process: 

• Completed Application Form: Official citizenship by investment application submitted to the Ministry of Investment.  
• Valid Passport: Clear copy of a valid passport for the main applicant and all dependents.  
• Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs for each applicant.  
• Criminal Record Certificate: Police clearance certificate issued by the applicant’s country of origin and/or country of residence.  
• Proof of Financial Solvency: Bank statements and/or financial documents demonstrating the applicant’s ability to complete and sustain the qualifying investment.  
• Evidence of Qualified Investment: Documentation proving fulfillment of one of the approved investment options.  
• Personal Details Forms: Personal information forms for the main applicant and all dependents included in the application.  
• Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, family book, birth certificates, and certificates of celibacy where applicable.  
• Support Certificates for Parents (if applicable): Issued by the Sharia Court confirming financial dependency.  
• Company Financial Records (for share investment): Stamped financial statements of the Jordanian company or companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange.  
• Project Documentation (for job creation): Brief project description and preliminary feasibility study.  

All foreign-issued documents must be apostilled or legalized and may require Arabic translation. 

Step 02/ Choose an Investment Avenue 

You will need to choose one of the investment avenues that is best suited to your needs. The capital investment avenue is more expensive, however, it does offer a simpler path to citizenship. The job-creation pathway is cheaper and can provide a greater theoretical return.  

Step 03/ Submit Application and Gain Security Clearance 

Once all documents have been gathered, and the desired investment avenue has been selected, it is time to submit your application. You need to submit to the Ministry of Investment and inform them of your desire for citizenship by investment.  

After you have submitted your official application, you will need to gain security clearance. This process is administered by Ministry of Investment as well as security agencies to verify your credentials and your background.  

Step 04/ Invest and Review 

It is now time to invest in Jordan. This can either entail purchasing shares to the value specified or establishing and verifying the job-creation project. The Technical Committee will review your investment or project and may conduct site visits. This committee also reviews company records, financials, and employee data to ensure legitimacy.  

Step 05/ Recommendation and Approval 

The Investors’ Committee will draft and sign a recommendation for citizenship once all of the previous steps have been completed, and the requirements have been met. Subsequently, this recommendation is submitted to the Jordanian Cabinet for final approval. 

Finally, once the applicant has been approved, they must travel to and stay in Jordan for a period of one month. During this time in Jordan, the applicant will be able to acquire their new passport. Final approval is discretionary and subject to Cabinet approval. This is the case even when all technical requirements are met. 

The typical timeline for Jordan Citizenship by Investment is 3-6 months. This time frame varies based on the number of dependents you are bringing, the extent of your investments, and the processing times of Jordan.  

Additionally, any misfiled or unfilled documentation will slow down the process. It is recommended that investors consult international mobility experts like Global Citizen Solutions to ensure that they can minimize their administrative window and maximize their investment.