Navigating the requirements for foreign nationals seeking to live and work in Jordan involves understanding a multi-step process governed by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour. Foreign workers typically need both a valid entry visa to enter the country and a work permit to be legally employed. The specific type of visa and the requirements for the work permit depend on the individual's nationality, the nature of their employment, and the duration of their stay.
The system aims to regulate the foreign workforce, ensuring compliance with local labour laws and immigration policies. Employers play a crucial role in sponsoring foreign workers and facilitating the necessary applications. Understanding these procedures is essential for both companies looking to hire international talent and individuals planning to work in the Kingdom.
Common Visa Types for Foreign Workers
Foreign nationals intending to work in Jordan must first obtain an appropriate entry visa. While the specific visa type can vary based on nationality and purpose, a common pathway involves obtaining a visa that allows for entry and subsequent application for residency and a work permit.
- Tourist Visa: While primarily for tourism, some individuals may initially enter on a tourist visa and then change their status or apply for the necessary permits from within Jordan, though this is not always the standard or recommended route for long-term work.
- Business Visa: Issued for individuals conducting business activities, which may include meetings, negotiations, or short-term projects. This visa type typically does not permit long-term employment without conversion or obtaining a separate work permit.
- Work/Residency Visa: This is the most relevant category for foreign workers planning long-term employment. Often, the employer initiates the process, securing initial approvals that allow the employee to apply for the necessary entry visa and subsequent residency and work permits upon arrival.
The specific requirements and availability of visa types depend heavily on bilateral agreements between Jordan and the applicant's home country.
Work Permit Application Requirements and Procedures
Obtaining a work permit is mandatory for most foreign nationals seeking employment in Jordan. The process is primarily employer-driven, requiring the sponsoring company to handle a significant portion of the application.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility typically requires:
- A valid passport.
- An offer of employment from a registered Jordanian company.
- The employer demonstrating a need for a foreign worker, often by proving that a qualified Jordanian national is not available for the position.
- Meeting specific health requirements.
- Holding necessary educational qualifications or professional experience relevant to the job.
Required Documentation
Both the employer and the employee must provide various documents, which commonly include:
- Employee's valid passport and copies.
- Copies of the employee's educational certificates and professional qualifications (often requiring authentication).
- Medical examination results from an approved clinic in Jordan.
- Employment contract signed by both parties.
- Employer's company registration documents.
- Proof of the employer's need for a foreign worker (e.g., advertisement records, justification letter).
- Completed application forms.
- Passport-sized photographs.
Application Procedure
The general procedure involves several steps:
- Initial Approval: The employer often applies for initial approval from the Ministry of Labour before the employee enters Jordan.
- Entry Visa: The employee applies for an entry visa (if required) based on the initial approval or their nationality.
- Arrival in Jordan: The employee enters Jordan using the appropriate visa.
- Medical Examination: The employee undergoes a medical examination in Jordan.
- Work Permit Application Submission: The employer submits the full work permit application, including all required documents and the medical results, to the Ministry of Labour.
- Residency Permit Application: Once the work permit is approved, the employee applies for a residency permit from the Ministry of Interior. The work permit is a prerequisite for the residency permit.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees for work permits vary depending on the sector, the employee's nationality, and the duration of the permit (typically issued for one year). There are also fees associated with the residency permit and medical examinations.
| Item | Estimated Fee (JOD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work Permit | Varies (e.g., 500+) | Depends on sector and nationality |
| Residency Permit | Varies (e.g., 50+) | Annual fee |
| Medical Examination | Varies | Clinic dependent |
| Application Fees | Varies | Administrative costs |
Processing times can vary significantly based on the volume of applications and the specifics of the case. Work permit applications can take several weeks to process after submission. Residency permit processing follows the work permit approval and adds additional time. It is advisable to begin the process well in advance of the intended start date.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Permanent residency in Jordan is not automatically granted based on holding a work permit for a certain period. It is a separate status that can be challenging for most foreign workers to obtain. Pathways typically involve:
- Long-Term Residency: In specific cases, individuals who have resided legally in Jordan for a significant number of years (often 15-20 years or more) and meet certain criteria (such as financial stability, good conduct, and integration) may be eligible to apply.
- Investment: Significant investment in the Jordanian economy through specific programs can potentially lead to permanent residency or even citizenship.
- Marriage: Marrying a Jordanian citizen can provide a pathway to residency, though specific conditions and waiting periods apply.
For the majority of foreign workers, residency is tied to their employment and renewed annually along with the work permit.
Dependent Visa Options
Foreign workers holding valid work and residency permits in Jordan can typically sponsor their immediate family members to join them.
- Eligible Dependents: This usually includes the employee's spouse and minor children.
- Application Process: The sponsoring employee applies for residency permits for their dependents through the Ministry of Interior. This application is contingent on the employee holding a valid residency permit themselves.
- Required Documentation: Common documents include proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates), passports, medical examination results, and proof of the sponsor's valid residency and financial ability to support dependents.
- Dependent Work: Dependents entering on a dependent visa are generally not permitted to work in Jordan without obtaining their own separate work permit.
Visa Compliance Obligations
Both employers and employees have significant obligations to ensure compliance with Jordan's immigration and labour laws.
Employer Obligations
- Sponsorship: The employer is the primary sponsor and is responsible for initiating and managing the work permit application process.
- Legal Employment: Ensuring the foreign worker holds a valid work permit and residency permit throughout their employment period.
- Labour Law Compliance: Adhering to Jordanian labour laws regarding wages, working hours, conditions, and benefits for foreign workers.
- Reporting: Notifying the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Interior of changes in the employee's status, such as termination of employment.
- Repatriation: In some cases, the employer may be responsible for the repatriation costs of the employee upon termination of employment.
Employee Obligations
- Valid Documents: Maintaining valid passport, visa, work permit, and residency permit at all times.
- Adherence to Conditions: Complying with the terms and conditions of their visa and work permit, including working only for the sponsoring employer in the approved position.
- Legal Status: Ensuring their residency status remains legal throughout their stay.
- Exit Procedures: Following proper procedures upon leaving Jordan, especially after terminating employment.
Failure to comply with these obligations can result in significant penalties, including fines, deportation, and bans on future entry or hiring foreign workers.
