Moving to Jordan: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

10,820,644

note: increased estimate reflects revised assumptions about the net migration rate due to the increased flow of Syrian refugees

0.14%

82.700000

AMMAN (capital) 1.179 million

35.040000

22.600000

26

2.8

3.32

59.3%

59.3%

24.7

24.7

1.060000

-22.02

Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%

Jordanian(s)

89.9%

95.9%

86.3%

age 15 and over can read and write

13.000000

80.300000

15.260000

15.260000

63

2.56

1.8

8.4%

30%

97.300000

98.100000

1.9%

Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance.

Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt.

King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008.

The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism.

Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan’s urban areas.

Jordan’s own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016.

Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy—mostly natural gas—and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan’s imports.

To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves.

In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances.

phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, tourism

$12,400.00 (USD)

2.9%

$100,160,000,000 (USD)

$12,400.00 (USD)

2.9%

$38,210,000,000 (USD)

• consumption: 78.9% government
• consumption: 23.1% investment in fixed
• capital: 28% investment in
• inventories: 0.2% exports of goods and
• services: 36.8% imports of goods and
• services: -67%

3.8%

29.9%

66.3%

2.7%

4.4%

Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Jordanian Dollar (JOD)

calendar year

8.9%

1,719,000

13.4%

official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%

phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, tourism

wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry

14.2%

2.7%

20%

77.4%

$6,269,000,000 (USD)

77.7%

-11.3%

20.2%

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Jordan

Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

Al Urdun

Transjordan

named for the Jordan River, which makes up part of Jordan's northwest border

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

• history: previous 1928 (preindependence); latest initially adopted 28 November 1947, revised and ratified 1 January 1952
• amendments: constitutional amendments require at least a two-thirds majority vote of both the Senate and the House and ratification by the king; amended several times, last in 2022

mixed system developed from codes instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based on French law), British common law, and Islamic law

• chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HUSSEIN (eldest son of the monarch, born 28 June 1994); the monarchy is hereditary
• head of government: Prime Minister Bisher AL-KHASAWNEH (since 7 October 2020)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister
• elections/appointments: prime minister appointed by the monarch

• Description: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of: Senate or the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (65 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (130 seats; 115 members directly elected in 23 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote and 15 seats for women; 12 of the 115 seats reserved for Christian, Chechen, and Circassian candidates; members serve 4-year terms)
• elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 Sep 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
• Chamber of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2020 (next anticipated in November 2024)
• Election Results: 2020: Senate - composition men 58, women 7, percent of women 10.8% 2020: Chamber of Deputies;
• Note: tribal, centrist, and pro-government candidates dominated the election; the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, garnered only 10 seats, down from 15 in the previous election; women, who are guaranteed 15 seats by Jordan’s legislative quota system, won 16 seats, down from 20 seats won in the previous election;
• Composition: men 114, women 16, percent of women 12.3%;
• Note: total National Assembly percent of women 11.8%
• Note: in 2022, a new electoral law - effective for the anticipated 2024 election - will increase the total number of Chamber of Deputies' seats to 138 from 130; 97 members to be directly elected from multi-seat geographic districts by open list proportional representation vote, with over 7 percent of total votes needed to gain a seat, and 41 members to be directly elected from a single national district by closed party-list proportional representation vote, with over a 2.5 percent of total votes needed to gain a seat

• office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the king; other judges nominated by the Judicial Council, an 11-member judicial policymaking body consisting of high-level judicial officials and judges, and approved by the king; judge tenure not limited; Constitutional Court members appointed by the king for 6-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years
• subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Great Felonies Court; religious courts; military courts; juvenile courts; Land Settlement Courts; Income Tax Court; Higher Administrative Court; Customs Court; special courts including the State Security Court

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); 'Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Al ‘Asimah (Amman), At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

• political reforms enacted in 2020 require all existing parties to re-register by May 2023, which will result in changes to the number of registered parties and the number of seats held by those parties for the anticipated 2024 election

18 years of age; universal

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: the father must be a citizen of Jordan dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 15 years

Amman

31 57 N, 35 56 E

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

+1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends last Friday in October

• ABEDA
• AFESD
• AMF
• CAEU
• CD
• CICA
• EBRD
• FAO
• G-11
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAS
• MIGA
• MINUSTAH
• MONUSCO
• NAM
• NATO (partner)
• OIC
• OPCW
• OSCE (partner)
• PCA
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNISFA
• UNMIL
• UNMISS
• UNOCI
• UNOOSA
• UNRWA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Yael LEMPERT (since 3 September 2023)
• Embassy: Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St., Amman
• Mailing Address: 6050 Amman Place, Washington DC 20521-6050
• Telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000
• FAX: [962] (6) 592-0163
• Email: Amman-ACS@state.gov
• Website: https://jo.usembassy.gov/

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Dina Khalil Tawfiq KAWAR (since 27 June 2016)
• Chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664
• FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110
• Email: hkjconsular@jordanembassyus.org
• Website: http://www.jordanembassyus.org/

Middle East

31 00 N, 36 00 E

34,495 Square Miles 89,342 Square Kilometers

34,286 Square Miles 88,802 Square Kilometers

208 Square Miles 540 Square Kilometers

1,016 Miles 1,635 Kilometers

Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

16 Miles 26 Kilometers

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west

Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

1,734 Meters

Jabal Ram 1,734 m

-408 Meters

Dead Sea -408 m

phosphates, potash, shale oil

304 Square Miles 789 Square Kilometers

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

+1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends last Friday in October

Jordan's countryside offers a diversity of climate and scenery.

Within easy driving distance of the capital city of Amman, one can visit Irbid's temperate highlands, Ajlun's majestic hills, the fertile Jordan Valley, the southern sandstone mountains, and the arid desert of the eastern plateau.

Inadequate rainfall is a chronic problem.

Rainfall usually occurs only from November to April; the rest of the year has bright sunshine daily and low humidity.

In the spring, a desert wind brings higher temperatures; daytime summer temperatures can be hot, but nights are usually pleasant, cool, and dry.

Autumn is long and pleasant; winter can sometimes bring light snow to the mountains and to Amman; and spring carpets the country's grazing lands with beautiful wildflowers.

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west

Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq

34,495 Square Miles 89,342 Square Kilometers

Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

$7,333,000,000 (USD)

$12,970,000,000 (USD)

clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables, manufactures, pharmaceuticals

crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods

Iraq 20.6%, US 14.9%, India 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, UAE 4%

Iraq 13.3%, Germany 8.7%, US 7.9%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Italy 4%

Iraq 20.6%, US 14.9%, India 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, UAE 4%

Iraq 13.3%, Germany 8.7%, US 7.9%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Italy 4%

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a developing economy and a modern infrastructure.

Western culture features prominently in the lives of many Jordanians.

At the same time, traditional Islamic ideals and beliefs provide a conservative foundation for the country's customs, laws, and practices.

Businesses and facilities catering to tourists are widely available, although quality may vary depending on price and location.

The threat of terrorism remains high in Jordan.

Transnational and indigenous terrorist groups have demonstrated the capability to plan and implement attacks in Jordan.

In August 2010, a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to a vehicle carrying three USG contractors as it was traveling through an Amman suburb; the contractors did not suffer any serious injuries.

In January 2010, an official Israeli motorcade was struck by an IED as it was traveling from Amman to the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge border crossing; passengers in the vehicles were unharmed and the vehicles sustained minor damage.

Several rockets believed to have been launched from the Sinai Peninsula struck the port city of Aqaba in April and August 2010.

In the latter attack, one rocket destroyed a taxi cab outside of a hotel, killing the driver.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.

In October 2012 the Jordanian government foiled a terrorist plot, arresting a number of Al-Qaeda operatives targeting public areas and the U.S.

Embassy in Amman.

Travelers to Jordan should be cognizant of the fact that Al-Qaida in Iraq affiliates have carried out terrorist activities against U.S. and Government of Jordan (GOJ) targets in Jordan.

Terrorists often do not distinguish between U.S. government personnel and private U.S. citizens.

Terrorists may target areas frequented by Westerners, such as tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, shopping malls, transportation hubs, places of worship, expatriate residential areas, and schools.

In light of these security concerns, U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of their surroundings, and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

It is especially important for travelers to be unpredictable in their movements by varying their times and routes and maintaining a low profile.

Moreover, U.S. citizens should avoid contact with any suspicious or unfamiliar objects and immediately report the presence of such objects to local authorities.

U.S. government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions.

Demonstrations are common.

Some, especially smaller ones, have turned violent, leading security officials to intercede.

Because demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence, travelers should avoid all protests and large gatherings of people.

Many demonstrations occur on Fridays near mosques following noon prayers.

Consequently, you should exercise special sensitivity and caution when visiting or traveling near mosques and religious sites during holy days and Fridays.

Demonstrations and other forms of unrest have occurred on public university campuses in Jordan.

Some acts of violence on university campuses have involved the use of firearms.

Anti-U.S. demonstrations have also taken place in front of the U.S.

Embassy.

Travelers should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people.

Tribal violence in Jordan remains a concern.

Clashes between feuding clans or families periodically erupt without notice and sometimes involve an escalation in violence, including the use of firearms.

In some cases, Jordanian security services are slow to respond or may opt to let the violence subside before intervening.

When necessary, authorities have closed major roads, including a key road near Amman’s international airport, or parts of cities to contain the violence.

U.S. citizens should avoid the border area with Syria.

Police and security officials have arrested weapons and drug smugglers, as well as foreign fighters attempting to enter Syria to fight in the country’s ongoing civil war.

Some riots have occurred at the Ramtha/Jaber border crossing, resulting in the burning of key municipal facilities.

The Department of State also advises against travel i

Statistically, petty crime is the most common form that U.S. citizens and other Western nationals experience in Jordan, especially at tourist sites and in crowded areas.

Pickpockets, purse snatchers, and opportunistic thieves are known to target foreigners in the narrow and crowded streets of the older parts of Amman’s city center.

Travelers should be more guarded in these areas and in all tourist locations in Jordan to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of petty thefts.

Jordanian police have warned the public to exercise vigilance when leaving banks or ATMs, as thieves have reportedly preyed upon persons soon after using these services.

Women from Western countries visiting and residing in Jordan have periodically reported incidents of sexual harassment, stalking, and indecent exposure.

The Embassy continues to receive a limited number of reports regarding incidents of sexual assaults involving taxis and taxi drivers.

Many of the incidents have involved verbal sexual harassment, staring, or following the victim, but some have included physical assaults.

To decrease the likelihood of being victimized while using a taxi, foreign women should take precautions such as avoiding travel to unfamiliar areas at night, not traveling alone, not riding in the front seat of a taxi, and dressing modestly when in public.

We also recommend carrying a cellular telephone at all times and immediately reporting incidents to the police.

Violent crime is infrequent and rarely targets U.S. citizens or other Westerners.

In the past, the Embassy has received reports of firearms being discharged at vehicles being driven by Westerners.

A dispute between two rival protection rackets led to shots being fired at multiple nightclubs, bars, liquor stores, and similar establishments in March 2011.

While not common, thefts of vehicles, assaults, robbery, and attempted residential break-ins have also been reported.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootleg copies illegal in the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

While you are traveling in Jordan, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In some places driving under the influence can land you in jail.

Criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Jordan, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

The Jordanian constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press; however, in practice the government has imposed some restrictions on these rights.

In particular, insulting the King or members of the Royal Family may lead to detainment or imprisonment.

Additionally, activities that the Jordanian government considers proselytizing to Muslims are forbidden under the law and anyone undertaking these activities are subject to prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Modern medical care and medicines are generally available in the principal cities of Jordan, but not necessarily in outlying areas.

Most acute and chronic medical conditions can be appropriately handled.

When called, ambulance vehicles are often slow to arrive and personnel generally have only a basic level of training.

Seasonal dust storms that envelop the country for days or weeks each spring may significantly aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma or sinus problems.

Most hospitals in Jordan, especially in Amman, are privately owned.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services.

Because serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States could cost over US $150,000, we strongly advise travelers to carry medical evacuation insurance.

Travelers should take normal precautions against contracting the flu, including frequent handwashing and covering sneezes.

It is a good idea to postpone traveling while ill.

While in Jordan, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Jordan is provided for general reference only and may not be completely accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

U.S.

18

16

1

315 Miles 507 Kilometers

4,476 Miles 7,203 Kilometers

Al 'Aqabah

294 Miles 473 Kilometers

30 Miles 49 Kilometers

501,200

4,771,000

1,127,000

.jo

42,412

• radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel
• first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007
• international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available
• roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station
• transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available

• assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services
• domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership reaching 115 per 100 persons in 2011
• international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel

10,400,000,000

176,000,000

200,000,000

12,210,000,000

1,400,000,000

830,000,000

230,000,000

6,031,000,000

107,000

68,320

40

1,000,000

A-Sha-al Maleek A-Sha-al Maleek Sa-Mi-yan-ma-qa mu- hu Kha-fi-qa-tin fil ma-ali a-lam m-hu