Jordan, officially called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab nation located in the Middle East. The country is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, the Red Sea to the south, and Israel and the Palestine National Authority to the west. The country has a rich history and is home to numerous ancient ruins, including the famous city of Petra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep reading to learn how to obtain a Jordan passport, the benefits, and more.
jordanian-passport-holders-jordanian-visa-requirements

About Jordan

Jordan is known for its hospitable people, delicious food – such as its national dish Mansaf, a delicious lamb dish cooked with fermented yogurt and served with rice and pine nuts – and stunning landscapes, which range from desert terrain to lush forests and mountains. Its native language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken. 

The country’s capital city, Amman, is a modern and vibrant metropolis and boasts Islamic culture that spans from ancient times to the modern age. Other notable cities include Aqaba, a coastal city known for its sweeping beaches, opulent resorts, and lively nightlife, and Jerash, one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman and Greek architecture that exists outside of Italy.

Jordan is known for its tourist attractions and is home to more than 100,000 archaeological, religious and tourist sites. Jordan is considered part of the Holy Land and is a popular pilgrimage destination, offering breathtaking views of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.  

Jordan is also a popular destination for adventure travelers, with opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and diving in the Red Sea. If you’re looking for a challenge, why not try your hand at crossing the Jordan Trail? The trail is a long-distance hike spanning 675 km (402 miles) and traveling through 75 towns and villages. It takes around 40 days to complete. 

The Dead Sea, situated in the Jordan Rift Valley and bordered by Jordan and Israel, is considered the lowest point on earth and lies about 420 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea is so salty that no life can flourish in its waters, and it is said to have wonderful healing properties thanks to the rich and nourishing sediment of mud, salt, and minerals left behind as a result of intense evaporation. 

Overall, Jordan is a fascinating and welcoming country with much to offer visitors from around the world.

Benefits of Jordanian Passport

Obtaining a Jordanian passport comes with a number of benefits, despite its lower ranking of 145th on the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, which assesses factors such as economic opportunity, mobility, and quality of life. Jordanian passport holders can travel visa-free, with visa on arrival and electronic visas to 81 destinations.

Jordanian citizens can also benefit from excellent healthcare and education, as well as a relatively low cost of living. The political climate is stable, and the country’s location – a strategic position at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe – makes it ideal for business. Jordan also plays an active role in the United Nations and is a member of the World Trade Organization. 

Another benefit includes the ability to obtain citizenship for your family, including your spouse, unmarried children, widowed or divorced children under 18 years of age, and your dependent parents.

In addition to this, Jordan has implemented economic reforms as a means to attract foreign investment in the country. This includes the establishment of free zones and the offering of various tax incentives. Jordan also has several trade agreements with countries such as Canada, the European Union (EU), and the United States (US).

Jordanian-passport-holders-jordanian-citizens-visa-required

Jordanian Passport Requirements

Any Arab who has lived in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan continuously for 15 years has the right to become a Jordanian national and obtain a Jordanian passport. As Jordan does not allow dual citizenship, you will have to give up citizenship in any other country in order to become a citizen of Jordan. To acquire Jordanian nationality, you must satisfy the following conditions, as laid out on the government website:

  • Normal stay of four years in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan prior to your request for citizenship
    • This condition may be forgone by the Cabinet, with the approval of His Majesty the King, under certain circumstances. You can determine if you are eligible by contacting the mission at which you intend to make your application.
  • You intend to stay in the Kingdom
  • You have no convictions
  • You speak and read Arabic
  • You have good conduct
  • You are not disabled and will not be a burden on society
  • The work you do is legal

You must make your application directly to the Cabinet, which reserves the right to accept or reject your request for citizenship.

Jordanian-authorities-global-passports-visa-required-international-travel

For the wives of Jordanians:

Marriage before 1 October 1987

If you and your husband, a Jordanian, married before 1 October 1987, you are considered Jordanian without any conditions or approvals, provided your marriage contract is legal. This is the case whether you are a foreigner or an Arab.

Marriage after 1 October 1987

Foreign wives

If you were married after 1 October 1987, you can apply for citizenship after five years of marriage. You reserve the right to maintain your original nationality of your own volition.

Arab wives

If you were married after 1 October 1987, you can apply for citizenship after three years of marriage.

General rules

Below are some general rules to be aware of in relation to Jordanian citizenship:

  • If you are a Jordanian woman who marries a non-Jordanian man and receives his nationality, you may maintain your Jordanian nationality (unless otherwise stated).
    • You reserve the right to restore your nationality if the marriage is terminated.
  • A son of a Jordanian is considered Jordanian, no matter his place of birth.
  • Within 90 days of being granted Jordanian nationality, you must visit the relevant office to register your family records.

Document requirements

You will require the following documents when applying for a Jordan passport:

  • Passport application form
  • Application form detailing your address
  • Applicant’s identity card
  • Two new photographs (in color)
  • Applicant’s passport 
  • Military Service Book, or termination certificate for males required to serve in the Jordanian Armed Forces.
  • Yellow bridge cards and Palestinian Israeli cards (if applicable) or explanation of follow-up and inspection
  • Approval letter from the General Command for the military and their wives, or
  • Official letter of the Personnel or Officers Affairs Department for members of public security, civil defense, and gendarmerie
  • Family book (if the applicant is a married woman)
  • Proof of nationality and residence (if a family book is not available, as per the Jordanian Nationality Law No. 6 of 1954)
  • Proof of guardianship (if applicable)
Jordan-civil-status-middle-east-jordanian-passport-holders-jordanian-citizen-global-passports

Jordanian passport photo requirements

In terms of the photographs required for your passport application, there are certain requirements that must be met:

  • 45mm in height and 35mm in width
  • The photo must be in color.
  • Your head must be straight.
  • The photo must not be older than six months.
  • White background
  • No smiling or facial expression.
  • Your eyes must be clearly visible.
  • The picture should be clear, not blurry.
  • Glasses may be worn as long as they do not cover your eyes.
  • No headgear unless specifically for religious purposes.
  • At least 600 dpi
  • Do not wear white clothes.
  • You may wear a beard only if it reflects your ‘everyday’ look.
  • You must submit four photographs.
Jordanian-citizens-travel-visa-free-jordan-passport-valid-passport

Jordan Citizenship by Investment

Another route to obtaining a Jordanian Passport is the country’s citizenship by investment program. To qualify, you must make a minimum investment of $750,000 in Jordan’s real estate, renewable, energy, or tourism sector. Other options include:

  • Bank deposit: A three-year, zero-interest bank deposit of a minimum of $1,000,000 at the Central Bank of Jordan
  • Treasury bonds: Purchase treasury bonds to the value of $1,000,000 with a holding period of at least six years
  • Company shares: Purchase company shares to the value of $1,500,000, held for a minimum of three years
  • Investment project: Establish an investment project with a minimum capital of $1,000,000 that creates at least 20 employment opportunities in Amman (the capital city) or in ten other governorates, or ten opportunities outside Amman
    • Investing in a project registered outside of Amman reduces the minimum amount to $750,000

The benefit of Jordan’s citizenship by investment program is that the investor’s immediate family (spouse and children) may also apply for Jordanian citizenship. The application process is relatively quick, taking between 90 days and six months, after which the investor will receive their Jordanian passport.

To learn more, visit our article: Jordan Citizenship by Investment Program

Jordanian Passport Cost

According to the Official Site of the Jordanian e-Government, the cost of applying for a Jordanian passport is 50 Jordanian Dollars (about US$70.48). If you are applying from outside Jordan, you will need to confirm the cost of the application with the Jordanian Consulate or Embassy to which you submit it.

Jordanian Passport Application Process

When applying for your Jordanian passport, you will need to follow the process below. You must submit your application to the Office of Civil Status and Passports Department or to the relevant Jordanian Embassy or Consulate if you are abroad.

Step 1: Visit the audience service desk and present all necessary documentation

Step 2: Complete an application form to obtain a Jordan passport

Step 3: Visit the admissions officer to match the information submitted to your application and accept it in the official system

Step 4: Visit the Head of Office (or their assistant) to approve the transaction

Step 5: Visit the Treasurer to pay the application fee

Step 6: The application will progress to the ‘issuance’ stage and then the ‘archive’ stage

Step 7: The document will then be printed, and the passport will be issued to you, the applicant

global-passports-visa-free-countries-jordanian-citizens

Jordanian Passport Timeline

According to the Official Site of the Jordanian e-Government, the application process described in the previous section should take an average of two hours.

Obtaining citizenship in Jordan is a lengthy and rigorous process, but for those who are committed to making Jordan their permanent home, it can be a worthwhile endeavor. Jordan is a country with a rich cultural heritage and a welcoming population, and becoming a citizen allows individuals to fully integrate into Jordanian society and enjoy all of the benefits of being a member of this unique and fascinating country.

While the requirements for citizenship can be demanding, they ensure that those who do become citizens of Jordan are fully committed to the country and its values. Overall, for those who are willing to meet the requirements and go through the application process, becoming a citizen of Jordan and obtaining a Jordan passport can be a life-changing experience.

Global Citizen Solutions: Who We Are and How We Can Help You

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm. We focus on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. Get in touch to find out more about our immigration and relocation services.

Keep reading

The following articles may be of interest to you:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Jordan Passport

1. Can I enter Jordan with a US passport?

Yes, you can enter Jordan with an American passport. Jordan issues single-entry visas to US citizens on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most international land border crossings.

2. What countries can a Jordanian passport enter without a visa?

Jordanian passport holders can travel visa-free to 81 countries. 19 of these are visa-free countries, including Ecuador, Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt, and South Africa. Visa-on-arrival, electronic visas, and/or electronic travel authorization (eTA) are required for 62 countries.

Visit the Global Passport Index for more information on the strength and quality of life of the Jordanian passport.

3. Can US citizens travel to Jordan without a visa?

The short answer is yes, US citizens can travel to Jordan without a visa. However, Jordan issues single-entry tourist visas to US citizens upon arrival at Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport and most international land border crossings.