Jordan’s Residency Rules and Recent Easing of Residency Requirements

Jordan’s Cabinet approved reforms to residency rules and deposit requirements for foreign residents and property owners, aiming to boost investment.

By Sudhanshu Singh

On February 26, 2025, the Cabinet of Jordan approved a major shift in residency policy for foreign nationals. The updated framework eliminates or lowers financial deposit requirements tied to residency permits. These changes are intended to attract international investment, boost real estate demand, and channel more liquidity into the local economy.

The updated policy removes the JOD10,000 (US$14,100) deposit previously required from foreign property owners residing in Jordan for more than two years. For non-property-owning residents, the deposit for a five-year residency has been halved from JOD20,000 (US$28,200) to JOD10,000 (US$14,100).

Jordan’s residency rules for foreign nationals

Jordan’s residency permits are generally linked to property ownership, duration of stay, and financial contribution. Applications are overseen by the Ministry of Interior, with approvals for property-linked residency often requiring coordination with economic and land authorities.

Under the previous system, long-term foreign residents without property were required to place substantial deposits in Jordanian banks. The recent reforms remove this condition for qualifying property owners and ease it for long-term non-property residents.

Revised financial deposit criteria for Jordan’s residency rules

The February 2025 policy changes introduced two core updates:

The move is expected to generate increased activity in related industries including construction, legal services, and property management.

Legal framework for foreign property ownership

Foreign ownership of real property in Jordan is governed by several overlapping legal instruments, primarily the Leasing and Selling Immovable Assets to Non-Jordanians and Juristic Persons Law (Law No. 47 of 2006). Additional restrictions and conditions arise under the Economic Boycott Law (Law No. 11 of 1995) and the Disposal of Immovable Assets by Juristic Persons Law (Law No. 61 of 1953).

Under Law No. 47 of 2006, the rules differ for ownership by individuals and juristic persons, and vary depending on whether the property is for residential or commercial use. For foreign individuals, approvals are typically required from the General Manager of the Department of Lands and Survey (DLS), the Minister of Finance, or the Council of Ministers, depending on the scope of ownership. Ownership is subject to reciprocity, except in the case of fellow Arab nationals. Dual nationals must disclose both nationalities, and reciprocity applies to both.

Approval for foreign property ownership also considers the location of the property, inside or outside zoning areas, and its intended use. There are limits on the number and total area of properties that foreign individuals can own, and projects must be completed within specified timelines: three years for residential purposes and five years for other uses. Extensions may be granted once, but failure to comply can result in penalties equal to five percent of the property’s market value annually, for up to ten years. After that, the Minister of Finance may authorize a public auction to sell the property.

Further, any property acquired by a foreign buyer is subject to a lock-in period, three years for residential properties and five years for all other types, during which the property cannot be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of. This restriction is recorded as an encumbrance on the title deed.

Juristic persons, such as foreign companies, may acquire property if permitted by their constitutional documents and business objectives. Approvals depend on the size, purpose, and location of the property and must align with national security and economic policies. The ownership must also comply with the Economic Boycott Law, which prohibits ownership by certain foreign nationals and requires further conditions to be met. In all such cases, applications are submitted to the DLS and reviewed individually.

The transfer of shares in companies holding property is not considered a direct property transfer and does not trigger land registration taxes. Nonetheless, companies are still subject to applicable taxes and to the jurisdiction of Jordanian courts in matters related to property.

Notably, the rules discussed do not apply to special jurisdictions such as the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, which has separate regulations governing foreign ownership.

Market response and investor insights

The updated rules have been welcomed across Jordan’s business community. Ali Murad, Chairman of the Jordanian-European Business Association, noted that scrapping the deposit requirement for long-term property owners frees up capital for further investment. He expects this to translate into more residential and commercial projects and increased activity in sectors such as construction and architecture.

Fadi Al-Majali, who leads the Jordanian Expat Business Association (Tawasul), described the changes as an investment-aligned policy shift. He underscored that tying residency to real estate ownership rather than to cash deposits will encourage more foreign buyers and inject fresh demand into the property market.

Majid Al-Saadi, Chairman of the Iraqi Business Council in Amman, also voiced support. He pointed out that many Iraqi nationals already have strong economic links with Jordan, and easing residency terms will allow them to redirect capital from deposits to operating businesses, supporting sectors like healthcare, education, and retail.

Strategic direction

Jordan’s new approach places it in closer alignment with regional practices. Some Gulf nations, for instance, offer long-term or permanent residency for qualifying real estate investors. While Jordan’s model stops short of granting permanent status, the lower financial barrier is a step in that direction.

There are growing calls from the business community for more flexible residency pathways, including incentives such as reduced processing times or tiered residency based on property value. While the reforms stop short of offering permanent residency, they open the door to further modernization of Jordan’s investment and immigration framework. For investors looking at Jordan as a strategic base in the region, the message is clear: capital tied to productive assets, not immobilized in deposits, is welcome.

(JOD 1 = US$1.41)

Also read:

• Trump’s Tariffs Effect on the MENA Region: Overview and Implications
• UAE and Jordan Sign CEPA Agreement to Boost Trade Engagement

• Previous Article Oman’s New Banking Law: Key Regulatory Changes, Compliance Requirements, and Business Impact
• Next Article Saudi Arabia Business Licenses Types: A 2025 Guide for Foreign Investors