🇯🇴 Jordan visa requirements

Most Western passports get you 30 days on arrival. Some require pre-approval. Here's what you need to know before landing in Jordan.

Who Gets In Easy (and Who Doesn't)

If you've got a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or most EU countries, you're golden for a 30-day visa on arrival. Just pay the fee at the airport. It's usually around 40 Jordanian Dinars (JOD). This is the most common scenario for nomads.

Some countries, mostly in Africa and Asia, do need to arrange their visa beforehand through a Jordanian embassy. Don't assume you're in the "easy" group. Always double-check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or your local Jordanian consulate. A quick Google search for "Jordan visa requirements [your nationality]" should point you the right way.

For most of us, Jordan is pretty straightforward. The main thing is having the cash ready for that on-arrival fee.

Staying Longer Than You Planned (and What It Costs)

That initial 30-day visa is usually extendable. You'll need to visit a Public Security Directorate (PSD) office, often just called immigration, in Amman or another major city. Extending for another 30 days is common. However, there are rules.

Jordan operates a dual-entry system for the visa fee. You pay the 40 JOD for your first entry. If you leave and re-enter within 30 days of your initial entry, you'll pay the fee again. This is a common gotcha for people doing quick border hops.

Overstaying is where it gets expensive. Technically, you can be fined 1 JOD per day for the first month you overstay. After that, it jumps significantly, up to 5 JOD per day and could lead to detention or deportation. It's way cheaper to just extend officially. You'll need your passport, proof of address, and sometimes photos. The process can take a few hours.

What's New in Jordan's Visa World

Jordan rolled out an eVisa portal a while back, which is a game-changer for some nationalities. It allows you to apply for your visa online before you travel, potentially saving time at the airport. You still pay the same fee, around 40 JOD, and it’s usually valid for 30 days. Check the official eVisa website to see if your nationality is eligible.

There haven't been massive shifts in the core visa-on-arrival system for major Western countries recently. The 40 JOD fee has been stable for a while. However, always check the official Jordanian government immigration website before your trip. Sometimes, specific border crossings might have slightly different procedures, though this is rare for the main airports like Queen Alia International. The key takeaway is that the system remains largely consistent for most tourists.