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Jordan Transit Visa 2026: Do You Need One and How to Get It

Last updated: May 13, 2026

If you’re connecting through Amman on your way to another destination, you probably don’t need a Jordan transit visa.

Passengers who stay in the airport’s international transit zone without passing through immigration can connect to their next flight without any visa at all.

Is It Safe to Transit Through Amman After the US-Iran Ceasefire? (May 2026 Update)

Table of Contents

Do You Need a Transit Visa for Jordan?

Most travellers connecting through Amman do not need a transit visa if they hold a confirmed onward ticket and remain in the airport’s international transit area.

You will need a visa if your layover requires you to:

Leave the airport’s international transit zone
Re-collect and re-check your baggage between flights
Stay overnight outside the airport
Explore Amman or other parts of Jordan during a long layover

If your connection is on a single booking with luggage checked through, you stay airside and no visa is needed.

If you’re on separate tickets or want to leave the airport, you’ll need to clear immigration, and that means getting a visa.

Who Is Exempt from a Jordan Visa?

Citizens of GCC countries can enter Jordan visa-free for up to 3 months.

According to Jordan’s Ministry of Interior, nationals of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman do not need any visa to enter Jordan — transit or otherwise.

Several other nationalities also enjoy visa-free access:

Lebanon and Turkey — up to 3 months
Egypt — up to 1 month
Tunisia — visa-free for tourism

If you hold a passport from one of these countries, you can freely leave the airport during your layover in Amman without applying for anything in advance.

Visa on Arrival: Who Qualifies and What It Costs

Citizens of over 120 countries can get a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport for 40 JOD (approximately USD 56).

This includes travellers from the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most Western nations, according to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The visa on arrival is a single-entry tourist visa valid for 3 months, allowing a stay of up to 30 days. To get it, you’ll need:

A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
A confirmed return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation)

At the airport, you pay the 40 JOD fee at a bank counter before proceeding to passport control. The officer checks your documents, stamps your passport, and you’re through.

Restricted Nationalities: How to Apply in Advance

Travellers from 53 restricted countries must obtain prior approval from Jordan’s Ministry of Interior before travelling, even for a transit visa.

This is the most important section if you’re from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, or certain other regions.

According to the official restricted nationalities list published by the Ministry of Interior, the following countries require prior approval:

Asia

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Yemen

Africa

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Republic), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia

Americas

Belize, Cuba

How to Apply

Apply online through the Ministry of Interior’s e-visa portal or the MOI mobile application. You will need to submit:

A copy of your passport
A passport-sized photo
Travel itinerary and flight details
The applicable visa fee

Processing typically takes a few business days, and you’ll receive your e-visa in PDF form via email. Print it out and carry it with you when you travel.

Exception for GCC, EU, and US Residents

If you hold a valid residence permit from a GCC country, EU country, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, or South Korea, you may be treated as a non-restricted national — even if your passport is from a restricted country.

According to the Jordan Pass website, this exception applies to most restricted nationalities except Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.

This means that a Pakistani national with a UAE residence visa, for example, can get a Jordan visa on arrival without prior approval. Always carry your valid residence permit alongside your passport.

Turning Your Amman Layover into a Stopover

If you’re flying Royal Jordanian and have a long connection in Amman, the airline’s Zuwar Stopover Program can turn your transit into a mini-holiday. “Zuwar” means “visitors” in Arabic, and the program offers genuine perks for eligible passengers.

Here’s what Zuwar includes for qualifying passengers:

Free hotel accommodation for layovers of 8–24 hours
Ground transport between the airport and hotel
Meals during your overnight stay
Optional guided tours to Petra, Jerash, the Dead Sea, and other sites (at additional cost)

To qualify, you must be on a full-paid economy or business class ticket marketed and operated by Royal Jordanian — codeshare flights, promotional fares, and award tickets are not eligible. Economy passengers need a layover of at least 8 hours, while business class passengers qualify with a 6-hour connection.

Royal Jordanian’s Amman hub connects to over 60 destinations, and in 2026 the airline is expanding with new routes to Dallas, Munich, Almaty, and Thessaloniki. Other major airlines serving Amman include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Saudia, and Etihad Airways.

Registration Requirement for Stays Over 14 Days

If you remain in Jordan for more than 14 days, you must register with the nearest police station that has a residency extension office, according to the UK FCDO. You will need to provide biometrics (fingerprint and iris scan).

Failure to register within 14 days of arrival results in a fine of 200 JOD upon leaving the country. This rule applies to anyone who entered Jordan after 1 October 2025 — but transit visa holders are exempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave the airport during a layover in Amman without a visa?

Only if you’re from a visa-exempt country (GCC, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia). Everyone else needs either a visa on arrival (40 JOD for eligible nationalities) or prior approval through the Ministry of Interior’s e-visa portal.

I’m from a restricted country but have a UAE residence visa — do I still need prior approval?

In most cases, no. Holders of valid residence permits from GCC countries, the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, or South Korea are treated as non-restricted — except for citizens of Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, who still require prior approval regardless.

How much does a Jordan transit or tourist visa cost?

A single-entry visa on arrival costs 40 JOD (approximately USD 56). If you’re staying 3+ nights and plan to visit Petra, the Jordan Pass (70–80 JOD) is better value as it includes the visa fee waiver plus attraction entry.

Is Amman airport safe for transit in 2026?

Queen Alia International Airport remains operational. The US State Department’s Level 3 advisory for Jordan relates to regional conflict risks — Amman’s airport continues to serve major international airlines. Check your airline’s schedule for any route-specific disruptions before travelling.

What is Royal Jordanian’s Zuwar stopover program?

Zuwar offers free hotel, meals, and airport transfers for eligible Royal Jordanian passengers with layovers of 8+ hours. You must be on a full-paid RJ-marketed and operated ticket — promotional fares and codeshares don’t qualify. Book activities through the Zuwar portal when making your reservation.