Jordan visa guide hero — Petra and Wadi Rum

VISA2 Jordan

Apply for a Jordan Visa

Professional visa assistance for tourism, business, study and family visits.

Country overview

Practical context for travellers planning a visit to Jordan — from entry basics to local travel rhythm.

Jordan compresses ancient Nabataean Petra, Roman Jerash, Crusader castles, and Martian-red Wadi Rum into a country smaller than many UK regions. Amman mixes hillside cafés with citadel ruins, while Aqaba offers Red Sea diving and resort stays. Many British travellers use the Jordan Pass to cover visa fees and major site tickets—purchase online before flying into Queen Alia International Airport.

The dinar (JOD) is stable and pegged; ATMs are common in cities. Arabic is official, English is widely spoken in tourism. Dress modestly outside beach resorts, especially in downtown Amman and religious sites. Dead Sea mud spas and baptismal sites on the Jordan River draw pilgrimage groups year-round.

Spring and autumn balance comfortable hiking temperatures at Petra's Siq and Wadi Rum camps. Summer heat is intense in the desert; winter snow occasionally dusts Amman. Guided jeep tours and camel treks in Wadi Rum should be booked with licensed operators; night skies are exceptional for stargazing.

Work and residency visas require Jordanian sponsors separate from tourism. Border stamps from Israel at Allenby Bridge follow distinct procedures—carry all entry documents if continuing overland. This guide supports planning; immigration officers make final entry decisions.

Interesting facts

  • The Jordan Pass bundles Petra entry fees with visa eligibility for many tourists—buy before arrival if you qualify.
  • Passports need at least six months' validity for most visitors.
  • The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is pegged; cards work widely though Petra vendors may prefer cash.
  • Tap water in Amman is generally not recommended for drinking—use bottled.
  • Border crossings to Israel and Saudi Arabia have separate rules from airport entry.
  • Ramadan alters restaurant hours; respect fasting norms in public.

At a glance

Capital
Amman
Currency
Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Language
Arabic
Time zone
Asia/Amman
Continent
Asia

Climate

Amman enjoys dry summers near 30°C and cool winters; Petra and Wadi Rum are hotter by day with cold desert nights; Dead Sea below sea level is warm year-round.

Visa types

Choose the route that matches your purpose of travel to Jordan.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa for Jordan is intended for leisure travel, sightseeing, and short cultural visits without employment. Most applicants explain their itinerary—often including Petra—and show return plans plus sufficient funds in Jordanian dinar (JOD). Jordan uses Pass with visa inclusion for eligible stays, plus consular and on-arrival options for many nationals; rules differ by nationality, so confirm whether you need a visa before departure or can obtain an e-visa online. Keep hotel confirmations and travel insurance aligned with embassy guidance, especially during peak seasons when consulates receive higher volumes. Mention cultural plans clearly on the form—Islamic and Christian sites coexist; Bedouin tea culture is welcoming—modest dress is expected at mosques and rural communities.

Tourist visa details

Business visa

Business visas cover meetings, trade fairs, contract negotiations, and supervised commercial activity in Jordan. You typically need an invitation letter from a registered company, proof of your employer, and clarity that you will not take paid local work without a work permit. Visits to Amman for conferences are common; carry printed copies of event registration and contact details for your host organisation. Processing may require additional security screening depending on your sector and travel history.

Business visa details

Visa requirements

  • Valid passport

    Passport valid at least six months beyond your intended stay in Jordan, with two or more blank pages for entry stamps. Some routes require machine-readable passports with chip data matching your application exactly.

  • Passport photographs

    Recent colour photos on a plain background, sized to embassy specifications (often 35×45 mm). Glasses and headwear rules vary; provide digital copies if applying through an online portal.

  • Travel medical insurance

    Policy covering emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and medical evacuation for the full trip duration in Jordan. Keep a printable certificate showing coverage dates and policy number in English or with translation.

  • Accommodation proof

    Confirmed hotel bookings, rental agreement, or host invitation showing address and dates. Immigration officers may verify reservations on arrival, especially for tourist visas.

  • Financial evidence

    Bank statements or payslips demonstrating you can fund travel and daily expenses in Jordanian dinar (JOD). Sudden large deposits shortly before applying may prompt additional questions—use consistent account history where possible.

  • Invitation or sponsor letter

    Required for many business and family routes: letter on company or sponsor letterhead with contact details, purpose of visit, and responsibility for your stay. Private invitations may need notarisation depending on consulate policy.

  • Flight itinerary

    Return or onward ticket showing entry and exit from Jordan. Hold bookings that match visa validity dates; open tickets are rarely accepted unless explicitly permitted.

  • Supporting documents

    Employment letter, student ID, marriage certificates, or prior visas as relevant. Organise copies in the order listed on the official checklist to reduce processing delays at the visa centre.

Embassy information

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, London W8 7HB

+44 20 7937 3685

Monday–Friday 09:00–16:00; consular by appointment

Official travel advice

Full embassy page · Requirements

Processing times

Service levelTypical durationNotes
standard15–20 working daysRoutine consular processing for Jordan after a complete application is submitted. Peak travel seasons and public holidays in Amman can extend timelines—apply before ticket purchase when possible.
express7–10 working daysPaid priority handling where offered at visa application centres. Not available for every nationality or visa category; confirm eligibility before selecting express service.
urgent3–5 working daysEmergency appointments for documented compassionate or business-critical travel to Jordan. Requires proof such as medical letters or signed employer statements; approval is at the consulate's discretion.

Why choose Prince Visa

Years of experience

Specialists who understand consular expectations for complex routes.

Fast support

Responsive guidance on forms, appointments, and document checks.

Secure processing

Your data is handled with care and clear privacy practices.

Visa specialists

Country-focused advice tailored to your travel purpose.

High approval guidance

Structured checklists that reduce common refusal reasons.

Travel highlights

Top attractions

  • Petra
  • Wadi Rum
  • Dead Sea
  • Jerash
  • Aqaba Red Sea

Best cities

  • Amman
  • Aqaba
  • Irbid
  • Zarqa
  • Madaba

UNESCO sites

  • Petra
  • Quseir Amra
  • Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)
  • Wadi Rum Protected Area
  • Baptism Site Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Local food

  • mansaf
  • falafel
  • knafeh
  • maqluba

Transportation

Amman has ride-hail and taxis; JETT buses link Petra and Aqaba; renting a car suits Dead Sea and Jerash day trips.

Safety tips

Jordan is relatively stable, but stay clear of Syrian border zones and follow local advice during regional tensions.

Weather

Amman enjoys dry summers near 30°C and cool winters; Petra and Wadi Rum are hotter by day with cold desert nights; Dead Sea below sea level is warm year-round.

Best time to visit

March to May and September to November for Petra and Wadi Rum hiking; winter can be chilly in Amman.

Popular destinations

Petra · Wadi Rum · Dead Sea · Jerash · Aqaba Red Sea

Frequently asked questions

Requirements depend on your passport nationality, length of stay, and purpose of travel. Jordan maintains Pass with visa inclusion for eligible stays, plus consular and on-arrival options for many nationals, and some travellers qualify for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival while others must apply in advance. Always verify the latest list published by the embassy serving your country of residence before departure, because bilateral agreements change without wide notice.

Typical tourist stays range from a few days to several months depending on the visa sticker or e-visa validity. Overstaying can lead to fines, future entry bans, or detention at departure. Your permitted duration is printed on the visa or entry stamp—plan extensions through immigration offices in Amman only if officially allowed, never by simply remaining past the date.

Tourist visas generally prohibit local employment and often restrict paid activity within Jordan. Remote work for a foreign employer exists in a legal grey area in many countries and may still violate visa conditions if you are performing ongoing professional duties from Amman. If your trip includes client meetings or contract work, apply for a business or work route instead.

A valid passport, photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, financial statements, and flight reservations form the core bundle for most categories. Business and family routes add invitation letters and relationship evidence. Each consulate publishes a checklist—missing one item can delay processing by weeks even when other papers are perfect.

There is rarely a single published figure; officers assess whether your balance matches hotel costs, daily spending in Jordanian dinar (JOD), and trip length. Provide several months of bank statements with consistent income rather than a one-time deposit. Sponsors may submit their finances when they cover your expenses, accompanied by a signed support letter.

Many visa categories require insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation for the entire stay. Policies should list Jordan as a covered territory and meet minimum coverage amounts if specified by the embassy. Keep a printout in English at border control; some airlines deny boarding without proof when visa rules mandate insurance.

Applications are usually lodged at the visa application centre designated for Jordan in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, or through an online e-visa portal when available. Appointments may be required for biometrics. The embassy in Amman does not typically accept walk-in applications from UK residents unless explicitly stated.

Standard processing often takes two to four weeks once biometrics and documents are complete, while express services shorten that window when offered. Security checks for certain nationalities or travel histories add time. Apply at least six weeks before travel during summer, religious holidays, or major events in Jordan.

Extensions are category-specific: some tourist visas cannot be extended and require exit and re-application, while student or work permits may renew through immigration departments in Amman. Overstaying while waiting for an extension decision is risky. Consult official immigration guidance before your current visa expires.

Major hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia offer direct or one-stop routes to Amman, though schedules vary seasonally. Your visa validity should cover the entire itinerary, including layovers in third countries. If you transit through nations that require transit visas, arrange those before flying to Jordan.

The official currency is Jordanian dinar (JOD). International cards work in many urban hotels and restaurants, but markets and rural areas may prefer cash. Notify your bank of travel dates to prevent fraud blocks, and declare large cash amounts if customs rules in Jordan require it.

Refusal letters usually cite insufficient funds, unclear purpose, or incomplete documentation. You may reapply with stronger evidence or appeal only if local law provides that right—many consular decisions are final. Address each stated reason, avoid identical submissions, and consider professional review of your file before paying another fee.

Customer reviews

“Prince Visa helped me organise documents for Jordan quickly. The checklist matched what the visa centre asked for, and I received my visa without a second interview.”

— Sarah Mitchell, United Kingdom

“I was unsure about financial proof for Jordan, but the team explained exactly what statements to include. Processing took longer during the holiday season, yet my application was accepted first time.”

— James Okonkwo, Nigeria

“Clear guidance on insurance and hotel bookings for Jordan saved me from a rejection. I recommend starting at least a month before travel if you need an appointment for biometrics.”

— Elena Vasquez, Spain

Need help applying for your Jordan visa?

Prince Visa supports UK applicants with document review and application guidance.

Start application
Start application