- Approval of the settlement of 663 pending tax cases between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department.
- Approval of the justifications for the 2026 Amended Hussein Award for Voluntary Work By-law.
- Approval of the justifications for the 2026 Draft Administrative Organization By-law for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.
- Approval of the 2026 Administrative Organization By-law for the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places.
– During its meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by Prime MinisterDr Jaafar Hassan, the Cabinet approved amendments to the criteria governing the granting of Jordanian residency and citizenship to investors. The amendments aim to enhance the Kingdom's ability to attract and stimulate investment across the governorates, raise the investment threshold required to obtain Jordanian citizenship through investment in the Amman Stock Exchange, and encourage investment in strategic national projects, including theAmrah City Project.
The amendments represent a qualitative advancement in Jordan's citizenship and residency by investment framework by revising investment requirements in a manner that directs investment towards productive projects and priority sectors, particularly in the governorates. They also link investment incentives to tangible economic impact, thereby supporting economic growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Jordanians in line with the objectives of theEconomic Modernization Vision.
The revised framework is also designed to promote long-term investment through measures that encourage sustainability and discourage short-term investments. It further strengthens institutional governance by designating the Ministry of Investment as the unified reference authority for investor affairs, while enhancing coordination among relevant entities, improving investor services, and reinforcing Jordan's competitiveness as a leading regional destination for high-quality investment through the adoption of international best practices in citizenship and residency by investment programmers.
Under the new amendments, and in light of the positive performance of theAmman Stock Exchange, recognized as one of the region's best-performing financial markets, Jordanian citizenship may be granted to an investor who makes a new investment of no less thanJOD 1.5 millionin shares of Jordanian companies. Such shares may not be pledged, lent or borrowed. The shares must be purchased within four months from the date of the Ministry of Investment's approval allowing the investor to trade the full investment amount through a duly licensed brokerage firm. In addition, the concentration of the investment in any single company may not exceed10%of the total required investment.
The amended criteria further stipulate that investors may not withdraw or dispose of any funds from the investment account, including trading profits, untilfive yearshave elapsed from the date of purchasing the shares.
To support the establishment of investment projects and create employment opportunities, particularly in the governorates, the revised framework also provides for the granting of Jordanian citizenship to investors who establish one or more investment projects in productive economic sectors with a paid-up capital of at leastJOD 700,000within the Capital Governorate orJOD 500,000outside the Capital Governorate, provided that the required number of employment opportunities is created in accordance with the criteria and verified through the records of theSocial Security Corporation.
Once actual operations commence, investors will be granted a grace period offour monthsto fulfil the required employment targets. During this period, they will be granted residency until the project becomes fully operational and the required number of Jordanian employees has been recruited. Upon satisfying the prescribed conditions, investors will be issued atemporary Jordanian passport valid for three years, after which they may be recommended for Jordanian citizenship, subject to verification that all conditions have been maintained for a period of three years.
Jordanian citizenship may also be granted to investors who acquirenew equity stakesin one or more investment projects operating in productive economic sectors, with a total paid-up capital of no less thanJOD 1 million. In such cases, the value of the project's newly acquired fixed and non-current assets must not be less thanJOD 500,000. Applicants must also submit a feasibility study outlining the planned expansion activities, the company's audited and duly certified financial statements for the previous year, evidence that the value of the new investment has been reflected in the company's fixed assets and inventory following the acquisition of the new shares, as well as an audited and duly certified financial position statement.
The revised criteria also require investors to createnew and genuine employment opportunitiesfor Jordanian nationals in accordance with the numbers specified in the regulations, as verified by the records of theSocial Security Corporation. In addition, the newly acquired shares must remain frozen for a period ofthree yearsfrom the date of purchase. Upon fulfilling these requirements, the investor will be granted atemporary Jordanian passport valid for three years, after which a recommendation will be made to grant Jordanian citizenship, subject to verification that all conditions have been continuously met throughout the three-year period.
With regard toexisting investors, Jordanian citizenship may be granted where the investor is a partner in, or owner of, one or more existing projects located within theCapital Governorate, provided that a number of conditions are met. These include maintaining an average share in the total value of eligible fixed and non-current assets of the existing project(s), based on duly audited annual financial statements over the previous three years, of no less thanJOD 700,000, while also maintaining at least90% of the required employment thresholdfor Jordanian nationals each month throughout the three-year period, as verified by the records of the Social Security Corporation.
Forexisting investments outside the Capital Governorate, the investor must maintain an average share in the value of eligible fixed, tangible and non-current assets of the existing project(s), based on duly audited annual financial statements over the previous three years, of no less thanJOD 350,000. The investor must likewise maintain at least90% of the required employment thresholdfor Jordanian nationals each month over the same three-year period, as evidenced by the records of the Social Security Corporation.
Where anew partner is introduced, or ownership of a company is transferred to a first-degree family member, Jordanian citizenship may be granted to the new partner or owner in accordance with the applicable conditions, provided that the investment share qualifying for citizenship remains frozen and may not be disposed of for a period ofthree years, in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.
Jordanian citizenship may also be granted to investors who invest in thepharmaceutical warehousing sector, including warehouses for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, surgical equipment and related supplies (provided that the investor is a licensed pharmacist), as well as in thefood logistics sector(including food storage and large-scale warehousing facilities). In such cases, the investment in the company or establishment must amount to no less thanJOD 3 million, while meeting the employment requirements specified in the regulations, as verified by the Social Security Corporation.
Citizenship may also be granted to any investor who employs150 Jordanian nationalswithin the Capital Governorate or100 Jordanian nationalsin the Kingdom's other governorates, provided that these employees have been registered with the Social Security Corporation for at leastone yearprior to the application and that the required workforce is maintained fortwo consecutive yearsafter the investor has obtained Jordanian citizenship.
To encourage investment in theAmrah City Project, the revised criteria provide for granting Jordanian citizenship to investors committing a minimum investment ofJOD 1.5 millionper investor across all economic sectors, provided that genuine employment opportunities are created for Jordanian nationals in accordance with the records of the Social Security Corporation. Upon the actual commencement of project operations, investors will be granted afour-month grace periodto complete the required workforce. During this period, they will receive residency until the project becomes fully operational and the required number of Jordanian employees has been recruited. Once all requirements have been met, investors will be issued atemporary Jordanian passport valid for three years, after which they may be recommended for Jordanian citizenship, subject to verification that all conditions have been maintained throughout the three-year period.
The revised criteria further provide for granting Jordanian citizenship to thespouseof an investor who has fulfilled the citizenship requirements, whether a new or existing investor, as well as to the investor'sdependent daughters,unmarried sons under the age of 24at the time of application, anddependent parents.
Where the investment exceedsJOD 2 million, Jordanian citizenship may also be granted to the investor'smale children under the age of 30at the time of application, together with their spouses and children.
With regard toresidency, the revised criteria provide for granting or renewingfive-year residency permitsto both investors and non-investors, regardless of their previous period of residence in Jordan. This applies where an individual purchases a property from a real estate developer or housing company with a minimum value ofJOD 200,000, orJOD 300,000where the property is purchased from a party other than a real estate developer or housing company, orJOD 150,000where the property is located outside the Capital Governorate, without requiring that it be purchased from a developer. Property values shall be determined in accordance with the valuation of theDepartment of Lands and Survey, provided that the property is retained forno less than five yearsand is neither sold nor mortgaged during that period.
The revised criteria further stipulate thatfailure to comply with any of the prescribed conditions shall result in the revocation of Jordanian citizenship or the cancellation of residency, as applicable.
It is worth noting that, since the introduction of the Citizenship by Investment Programme in2018, a total of681 investorshave been granted Jordanian citizenship under the scheme.
In a related decision, the Cabinet approved thesettlement of 663 pending casesbetween taxpayers and theIncome and Sales Tax Department.
This decision forms part of the Government's continued efforts to ease burdens on economic activities, investors, taxpayers and citizens, stimulate economic activity, improve the business environment, and assist taxpayers in regularising their tax status.
As part of efforts to further develop and promote volunteerism, the Cabinet also approved the justifications for the2026 Amended Hussein Award for Voluntary Work By-law, as a preliminary step before referring it to theLegislation and Opinion Bureauto complete the legislative process in accordance with the applicable procedures.
The proposed amendments seek to keep pace with the significant development of Jordan's volunteer sector, which has witnessed substantial growth in the number of volunteers, as well as greater diversity in initiatives and participating organisations over recent years. Accordingly, the amendments aim to enhance the Award's ability to respond to current needs while strengthening its institutional governance through the establishment of a dedicated organisational unit within theMinistry of Youthto oversee the Award, define executive responsibilities, and further develop the evaluation process in a manner that enhances efficiency and transparency.
The amendments are also expected to maximise the Award's impact in encouraging volunteer initiatives with sustainable developmental outcomes, fostering excellence, and promoting a culture of volunteerism as a core national value, thereby increasing the participation of individuals and institutions in serving society.
The proposed amendments follow the successful completion ofthree award cyclesand are based on lessons learned, developments in Jordan's volunteer sector, and the findings of the legislative impact assessment conducted in accordance with theLegislative and Policy Impact Assessment Framework, while also reflecting international best practices.
TheMinistry of Youthwill continue to expand participation, strengthen partnerships, and develop impact measurement tools, further consolidating theCrown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Workas Jordan's leading national reference for promoting volunteerism and encouraging initiatives with sustainable impact, while translating national visions into a deeply rooted culture of volunteerism and sustainable community engagement.
As part of thePublic Sector Modernisation Roadmap, the Cabinet also approved the justifications for theDraft Administrative Organisation By-law for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development for 2026, in preparation for its referral to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete the legislative procedures in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The draft by-law forms part of the legislative framework required to establish theMinistry of Education and Human Resources Developmentas the legal and administrative successor to both theMinistry of Educationand theMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap. The objective is to enhance the performance of educational institutions, teachers and field personnel through a more efficient and higher-performing ministry operating under a unified institutional framework.
The draft by-law also aims to enable staff to operate more effectively within a clearer and more integrated organisational model by separating field, academic and strategic functions, thereby allowing greater focus on specialised responsibilities and improving overall institutional performance.
Under the proposed framework, responsibilities will be clearly distributed among the Ministry's organisational units, providing greater clarity of roles, reducing overlaps in responsibilities, and enhancing responsiveness and proximity to schools.
The draft by-law further seeks to strengthen integration across all stages of education, ensuring coherence between early childhood, general, vocational and higher education within a unified organisational structure.
The draft has been developed through an institutional process spanning more thantwo years, in response to the requirements of the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap. Its institutional model was designed with the participation of all relevant stakeholders and is based on extensive studies and international best practices to ensure practical implementation and alignment with the Ministry's priorities and operational needs.
The proposed by-law safeguards employees' acquired rights and will be implemented in a manner that ensures workforce stability while preserving existing entitlements under the applicable legislation. It also guarantees the protection of employees' rights throughout all stages of the modernisation process, while focusing on improving public services through the optimal utilisation and development of national talent.
In addition, the draft places particular emphasis on developing national competencies alongside institutional reform, recognising that investment in human resources is fundamental to sustaining public sector reform, improving the quality of educational services, enhancing educational outcomes, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Ministry and the education system are well equipped to meet future challenges, labour market developments, and the objectives of theEconomic Modernisation Vision.
The Cabinet also approved the2026 Administrative Organisation By-law for the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, with the aim of further developing the Ministry's organisational structure and enabling its administrative units to perform their responsibilities with greater efficiency and effectiveness.