Jordan Visa for Tourists: Visa on Arrival, Jordan Pass and Borders

Do you need a visa for Jordan? Most visitors do, but for many nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens, it is easy: a single-entry tourist visa is sold on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossing in the north. The visa fee is waived if you buy a Jordan Pass before you travel and stay at least two whole nights. Visitors flying into Aqaba also have special rules. Some nationalities must apply in advance, and the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge from the West Bank does not issue visas on arrival. This guide explains each route into Jordan, the Jordan Pass waiver and what to bring, with the official sources linked.

Planning a trip? Read our Jordan Pass guide, our answer to is Jordan safe? and our complete Jordan travel guide.

The quick answer

• Do I need a visa? Yes, most visitors need a tourist visa for Jordan.
• Can I get it on arrival? Yes, if your nationality is eligible, at Queen Alia International Airport and the Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossing.
• Can I avoid the fee? Yes. Buy a Jordan Pass before you arrive and stay at least 2 whole nights (3 days); the pass also includes entry to Petra and dozens of other sites.
• Flying into Aqaba? Eligible nationalities don’t need a visa at Aqaba airport.
• Crossing from the West Bank? The King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge does not issue visas on arrival; arrange one in advance.
• Some nationalities must get a visa from a Jordanian embassy or the Ministry of Interior before traveling.

Visa on arrival: where it works

For eligible nationalities, Jordan’s visa on arrival is a quick stamp at immigration. According to the official Jordan Pass FAQ, the visa on arrival is available at:

• Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, where most visitors arrive.
• The Sheikh Hussein Bridge (Jordan River crossing) in the north, from Israel.
• The Wadi Araba crossing near Aqaba, from Eilat, for Jordan Pass holders of eligible nationalities who stay at least 2 whole nights (see below).

At the airport, follow the signs to the visa counter before passport control, or show your Jordan Pass at immigration if you have one.

The Jordan Pass visa waiver

The Jordan Pass is the easiest way to handle the visa. It is a pre-paid tourist pass sold by the Jordan Tourism Board that waives the fee for a single-entry tourist visa and includes entry to Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum and about 40 other attractions.

• Buy it online before you arrive at the official website, jordanpass.jo.
• Stay at least 2 whole nights (3 days) in Jordan, according to the official Jordan Pass FAQ. The UK government’s advice says at least 3 nights, so planning 3 nights is the safe choice. If you leave sooner, you may be asked to pay the visa fee when you exit.
• It covers a single entry only. If you leave and come back, you need another visa.
• It is for eligible nationalities. Travelers from restricted nationalities still need a visa in advance.

Read all the rules, and which pass to choose, in our Jordan Pass guide.

Arriving in Aqaba

Aqaba, on the Red Sea, is a special economic zone with its own entry rules. According to the Jordan Pass FAQ, travelers of non-restricted nationalities do not need a visa when they arrive at Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport, while restricted nationalities need a visa from a Jordanian embassy in advance.

At the Wadi Araba land crossing from Eilat, Jordan Pass holders of eligible nationalities can get a visa on arrival if they stay at least 2 whole nights, and restricted nationalities who enter there must leave through the same border. Read our guide to diving in Aqaba.

Land borders

Jordan’s land borders have different rules, so check the crossing you plan to use.

Border rules can change at short notice, especially with regional tensions. Check with the Jordanian embassy or your tour host before you travel overland. If you are combining Jordan and Syria, see our Syria visa guide.

Who must apply in advance

Jordan keeps a list of “restricted” nationalities whose citizens cannot get a visa on arrival. If your nationality is on it, apply for a visa before you travel, through a Jordanian embassy or consulate or through the Ministry of Interior’s online e-services. Some restricted nationals with valid visas or residence permits for certain countries may be eligible for easier entry, but the rules change, so check the current list with the Ministry of Interior or the embassy before you book.

Group tours booked through a licensed Jordanian tour operator can also arrange entry for travelers who need a visa in advance.

Documents to bring

The documents you need for a Jordan visa on arrival are simple: a valid passport, your travel details and a way to pay or your Jordan Pass.

• A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with a blank page for the visa.
• Your Jordan Pass (printed or on your phone), if you bought one.
• Your return or onward ticket and your first hotel address.
• Cash or a card for the visa fee if you don’t have a Jordan Pass.
• Travel insurance details.

How long you can stay

According to the UK government, the single-entry visit visa bought on arrival is valid for three months, and visit visas can be extended online for up to six months. Overstaying can lead to a fine when you leave, so check your dates carefully, and check the rules for your nationality with the Ministry of Interior.

Travel with a local guide

Simsem’s local hosts in Jordan meet travelers in Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum:

Meet every host on our local guides in Jordan page.

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