Obtaining a visa on arrival is (usually) quick and always easy when landing at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan or any of the land crossings. Here I will explain how to obtain the visa and why I prefer this option to arranging an electronic visa in advance.
Simple Guide: Visa On Arrival In Jordan
Jordan divides the word into restricted and non-restricted nations. If you’re traveling on a passport from a restricted country, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. If you are traveling from a non-restricted country, you can generally obtain a visa upon arrival at any port of entry.
Let me begin my stating that obtaining a visa on arrival in Jordan is not the most budget-conscious move if you are a tourist and plan to see key sights during your time in the Hashemite Kingdom.
That’s because Jordan bundles visas into a tourist package it calls Jordan Pass. Specifically, a Jordan Pass waives the visa fee if you stay minimum of three nights nights (four days) in Jordan (two nights only if entering and exiting via Wadi Araba linking Aqaba, Jordan and Eilat, Israel). A Jordan Pass includes single-entry access to over 40 attractions (full list here) including popular points like Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum and starts at 70JOD for a three-day pass (you can pay 5-10 JOD more for additional entries to sites like Petra). More details here.
The visa alone is 40JOD whether you pay online in advance. Considering entry to Petra is 50JOD, it really makes sense to arrange a Jordan Pass in advance if you are staying three nights and touring.
You may read online that visas on arrival are not available at Wadi Araba or restricted at some of the more remote border crossings with Saudi Arabia or Iraq. From all I have been told by people I trust on the ground, a visa on arrival is available at any port of entry. You do not have to take my word for it and can apply for an electronic visa in advance here, but I find it very unlikely that you would be denied entry at any port provided you have a passport from the non-restricted country list.
Tip: Wadi Araba is a visa-free zone, meaning if you enter via this port, stay at least two nights ,and depart via this port, no visa is necessary if you travel with a passport from a non-restricted country.
But while you can obtain an electronic visa in advance and proceed straight to passport control, I prefer to buy mine on arrival. Why? Because you receive a cool sticker in your passport. Perhaps that does not really appeal to you, but but it certainly does to me and I love the collection of colorful postage-stamped sized visa payment stickers I have collected in my passport over the years.
When arriving at Queen Alia International Airport, simply follow the signs for a visa.
At the front of the line is a window where you can pay for your visa via credit card (or cash) and will receive the sticker. Then proceed through passport control and baggage claim and you will soon be on your way to one of the most magical countries on earth.
CONCLUSION
Jordan makes it easy for most nationalities to obtain a visa on arrival. While the Jordan Pass makes sense for most foreign tourists, I still love the old-fashioned visa stickers that Jordan uses for those who purchase a visa on arrival. For that reason alone, I will continue to arrange my visas in this manner (like in Turkey).
I got the electronic Jordin pass prior to my upcoming visit. I didn’t know or even think about not getting the stamp but to me it’s not that big of a deal.
I assume there’s not much of a line at passport control this time of the year?
My latest trip was in March. I’ve also visited in July and in November. Never experienced lines.
any hotels you’d recommend in amman (for good tourist location)? i’m trying to decide between grand hyatt and marriott but open to others …
When it comes to cruise passengers entering Port Aqaba. There has been instances where cruise ships have not been able to obtain visas on arrival for South Africans who are eligible at any Port of entry. Apparently the Immigration authorities were closed. Now, there is a question of passengers to obtain there visitor visa by applying at the Embassy in Pretoria South Africa, in a hurry, before they sail, as a precaution of previous I cident. We cannot apply online.
Cruise visas are not that easy as entering per flight to a country.
That’s an interesting data point. Thanks for pointing this out.
It’s improved a lot since I went, admittedly many years ago. We arrived in the early hours and queued and when we got to the counter were told that the visa had to be paid for in cash, local currency. Unfortunately there was no money changer open in Arrivals at that time of night. What to do? The officer said there was an Exchange open in the Departures area and to ask Security to let me through. So I found the door, sure enough security let me through – but only me, so I had to leave my wife and month old baby. Changed the money, Security let me back into Arrivals (fortunately) and we got the visa!
Jordan pass it’s not Visa, you must bye Visa on airport, 40 kod, for 100$ in airport you get 61 kod, in Amman 100$ it’s 71 jod. You bye Visa very simply.
I don’t understand what you mean. A visa is waived if purchasing the Jordan pass, unless you don’t stay the required three nights. Then you have to pay for a visa when leaving.
My experience from the day arrived at Amman Airport I thought it’s a paradise till 10 months stay at Al-Azraq Project Royal Jordanian Air Force Mirage 2000 back in year 1981-82. Due to Project’s Importance I had less s chance to move around. But Zarqa & Amman I had chance to visit. The Jordaians are so loving and Caring. I got my Vehicle Driving Licence also. On Project Completion I have to come back to my native Country
How do I apply for a Jordan visa?am a Nigerian and also based in Nigeria
l am from australia and am with a tour company when l get to Jordan. Am l better arranging my visa from here in Australia or is it easy enought to get your visa when you arrive in Jordan
Very easy when you arrive, but sounds like you will want a Jordan Pass if you are coming all the way from Australia.
I’ll be using a lot of information from your Jordan posts – thanks! But ‘quick and easy’ is NOT correct. I am here midday. And have my Jordan Pass in hand. There are at least 100 people in front of me in this line. As far as I can see, there are only two visa desks open. Flew in on GF in J thanks to Aeroplan, so I inquired about ‘fast track’. Told because I have the Jordan Pass, I am not eligible.
Not slamming you, but ‘quick and easy’ is disingenuous.