Visa for Jordan

Jordan’s one of the less talked about countries in the Middle East but actually, it’s the kind of place that, once people visit, they realise just what they’ve been missing. With its beautiful natural landscapes, stunning desert scenery, ancient religious sites and - of course - the wondrous ancient city of Petra - it really should be on any tourist’s bucket list, particularly if you’re combining it with a vacation in Israel or Egypt (with which it shares borders).

A jeep tour in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Why Should I Visit Jordan?

In terms of traveling in the country, Jordan is relatively stable, politically speaking, quite developed in terms of its infrastructure, and its people - from the capital city of Amman to the Bedouins in the desert - are warm and welcoming.  It has fine Levantine cuisine, diverse landscapes, and a climate that’s amenable to travel almost the entire year round. Moreover, whether you’re a backpacker or looking to splash some cash, there are accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Moreover, because Jordan is only 90,000 square kilometers (about 35,000 square miles) you can travel from place to place quickly - whether by private car and driver, public transport or as part of an organized Jordan tour. Traveling from the capital Amman to the desert in Wadi Rum, the ancient ruins of Jerash, the extraordinary nature around the Dead Sea, the wonders of Petra, and the chilled-out atmosphere of Aqaba, on the Red Sea, you can pack in a lot, not just in a week or two but even a long weekend. Below, let’s look at some of the practicalities involved in obtaining a visa for Jordan so that you can begin planning your trip and anticipating what fine things await you...

Madaba Mosaic Map of the Holy Land, Madaba, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Jordan?

“Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?” is a question we are asked regularly, by people wanting to book trips with us. Well, the answer is - for the most part - yes. The good news is that it’s not a difficult or time-consuming procedure and, for the most part, it’s just a matter of paying your fee and having your passport stamped.

Broadly speaking, citizens arriving from most countries in the West do not need a visa in advance - it’s something that can be purchased on the border. The main conditions for entry are a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the time you wish to stay there, and two blank pages within the passport that will be used for stamps. The only citizens who do not have to present a passport are those from Lebanon - in this case, a valid national ID card is all that is required.

A sandstone formation carved by the elements in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

If you are arriving by air, at Queen Alia International Airport, you may be asked for proof of your return ticket. This is less likely if you are traveling overland but please note that all tourists, however they have arrived, are obliged to register with the Jordanian police after 28 days of being in the country.

At present, citizens of certain countries are granted visa-free entry to Jordan for varying periods (ranging from one to three months, depending on their nationality). Some of these countries include Egypt, South Africa, Barbados, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ecuador. Nationals of all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are also allowed to enter without a visa.

The Temple of Artemis in Jerash, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Jordanian e-Visas and Visas on Arrival in Jordan

All other foreign citizens (i.e. those not on the list above) entering Jordan from Israel are required to obtain an approved visa for Jordan. This can be either in the form of an e-visa, which is a simple process that can be carried out online or by purchasing one in person, after waiting in line at immigration, at one of Israel and Jordan borders (either the Sheikh Hussein or Yitzhak Rabin).  (Embassy visas for diplomats can be ordered in advance from the government office of Amman) At the time of writing this article, there are no bans currently in place for any citizens wishing to travel to Jordan.

How Much is a Visa to Jordan?

If you are not arriving by air, you will cross into Jordan probably from one of the three borders that are shared with Israel. The two at which you can simply arrive at the border and buy a visa are in the north (Sheikh Hussein at Beit Shean) or in the south, on the Red Sea, where Eilat meets Aqaba (Rabin/Arava crossing). You can either pay for your visa in cash (Jordanian dinars or US dollars) or with a credit card.

The cost of a one-month single-entry visa to Jordan is, at present, 40 Jordanian dinars (approx $50). Double-entry visas, which are valid for 3 months, cost 60 JOD (approx. $84). If you are looking to travel back and forth on several occasions, consider investing in a multiple-entry visa which costs 120 JD (approx USD 170). 

South Gate Of The Ancient Roman City Of Gerasa (Jerash), Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Careful Where You Cross!

It’s always good to know this before you set off but, at the Allenby Bridge crossing (between Jerusalem and Amman), you cannot just arrive and purchase a visa. However, if you have a visa that has been pre-arranged, you will be able to enter. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend crossing overland either in the north or south of Israel to Jordan, because the lines are shorter and there is less bureaucracy. 

Also, because the Allenby Bridge crossing is used by many Palestinians, who wish to fly abroad via Amman, there are far more security checks. So, if you want shorter waiting times and generally an experience with little hassle, we’d advise against using the Allenby Bridge. Indeed, all of Bein Harim’s Petra Tours cross through the southern borders.

Vista of Promised Land from Mount Nebo, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

What is the Jordan Pass? Will It Save Me from Having to Buy a Visa and Is It Worth the Money?

The Jordan Pass is a venture set up by the Jordanian government to encourage tourism within their country and essentially, offers the entrance to a range of tourist attractions, including the Petra Archeological Park, The city of Jerash with its surrounding ruins, and the fabulous Wadi Rum. 

So you could say it’s a good investment - not only will it help save you money seeing some amazing sites, but it also means you skip the issue of having to obtain a visa. You won’t have to submit online applications, fill out paperwork or even wait in line at immigration. You’ll just walk right through.

Ruins of Roman Theater in Jerash, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

What’s Included in the Jordan Pass?

For your money, you’ll benefit from digital brochures which you can download to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, waiving the visa, provided (as mentioned before) you spend at least 3 nights in the country. Entrance to Jordan’s top locations, including Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Amman Citadel, Karak and Shobak Castles, Qasr Al-Azraq, the Madaba Archaeological Museum, St. Elijah’s Hill, and Al-Hamimah, to name but a few.

The Jordan Pass is valid for a whole year and you can buy it in advance of your trip. It will expire automatically, two weeks after the first attraction you visit.  It has been designed with the curious tourist in mind and - since Petra is the highlight of any tourist’s trip - the cost of it depends on how many days you wish to spend there.

The Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum, Jordan. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

• Jordan Wanderer - this costs 70 JOD (approx. $99) and offers you a full day in Petra.
• Jordan Explorer - this costs 75 JOD (approx $106) and you can spend 2 days in Petra (a good choice for those who want to see the main sites and perhaps also visit the Monastery).
• Jordan Expert - at 80 JOD (approx $113), this allows you a full three days in Petra (ideal for those who want to hike and explore off-the-beaten-track parts of the area).

If you choose to join one of the numerous Israel and Jordan Tours please keep in mind that:

• tours usually do not include visa-issuing and border fees ($140).
• Travelers of certain nationalities require advance issue of visas. For more information please contact us, or check if you're eligible for a visa upon arrival here. 
• Border crossing includes border control and customs, this process may take up to an hour.