Nationality & Investment
Obtaining a Jordanian Passport Through Investment
A summary of the legal and procedural framework for granting a Jordanian passport to investors under recent amendments, outlining capital and employment thresholds, required documents, steps and fees. The summary explains the nature of the temporary passport/residence and the pathway to nationality subject to verification of conditions.
Updated: 11 May 2023
Prepared and reviewed by: Ashraf Al-Khawaja
General Framework and Key Definitions
This section sets out basic definitions: nationality as a legal and political bond between person and state, investment in economic terms, the investor as defined in Jordan’s Investment Law, and the passport as an international identity document. The practical significance is that eligibility for a temporary passport and related fees depends on the nature of the investment activity and the investor’s legal status (natural or corporate).
Jordanian Passport Ranking and Travel Access
According to the provided data, Jordanian passport holders can access about 51 destinations visa-free, on arrival, or via e-permit, whereas roughly 178 destinations still require a prior visa or e-visa. Practically, this indicates limited visa-free mobility compared with stronger passports and investors should consider international travel implications when assessing the value of a temporary passport obtained through investment.
Eligibility and Investment Thresholds
The amendments provide for a temporary Jordanian passport valid for three years for investors who establish projects with paid-in capital of at least USD 1,000,000 inside the capital governorate with 20 genuine Jordanian jobs, or at least USD 750,000 outside the capital with 10 genuine Jordanian jobs. Investors receive provisional residency until the project starts; they are allowed a four-month grace period after commencement to reach the required local hires. Citizenship may be granted after the three-year period upon verification of compliance. Political rights are excluded during the temporary period.
Documents and Administrative Preconditions
Required documents include a recent commercial register, financial statements certified by an auditor, passport copies, passport application form, birth certificate, two personal photos, and an Interior Minister’s letter accompanied by Cabinet and security approvals. The applicant must appear in person and non-holders of temporary Jordanian documents must obtain a personal number from the Residency and Borders Department. Security and ministerial approvals must be secured before final payment and passport issuance.
Operational Steps and Expected Fees
Administrative steps include completing the dedicated form, verification of filings and attachments, obtaining security clearances (Interior Minister’s letter and Cabinet approval), payment of fees, entering payment data, printing and delivery. The passport-fee regulations set specific sums for investment-related passports, including a substantial initial issuance fee for passports issued for investment purposes, renewal fees, fees for damaged or lost passports, and separate fees for spouses and children as provided in the schedule. Refer to Article 5 of the passport fee regulations for a detailed list of amounts and official references.
Legal notice
Disclaimer: This summary is for general educational purposes and is based on the original source linked on the page. It does not substitute official texts or tailored legal advice. Verify the applicable statutes, amendments, regulations and deadlines, consult the official source, and seek advice from a licensed Jordanian lawyer before taking any action.
Sources and references
Verify the official text and latest amendments before relying on this material professionally.