Granting Jordanian Citizenship to Real Estate Investors

Why Invest in Jordan?

Jordan enjoys remarkable political and economic stability, making it a secure haven for individuals seeking safe investments and a promising future for their families. The Jordanian Dinar’s peg to the US Dollar provides additional currency stability, safeguarding against fluctuation risks. The revamped citizenship-by-investment programs are designed for efficiency, with citizenship potentially obtainable within months for qualifying investors. While specific investment thresholds now vary by pathway, the program offers diverse options tailored to support Jordan’s economy. Jordanian citizenship continues to offer numerous benefits, including visa-free travel to over 50 countries, unrestricted real estate ownership (with new rules focusing on developer purchases), a distinguished education system, high-quality healthcare, and an attractive business environment in a strategic location.

Diverse Pathways to Jordanian Citizenship and Residency

The refreshed Jordanian CBI program introduces eight distinct routes, eliminating previous passive investment options like bank deposits and treasury bonds in favor of more direct economic contributions. Key pathways for citizenship now include:

New Shares in Jordanian Companies: Purchasing at least JOD 1 million (approx. USD 1.41 million) in new shares of Jordanian companies, which must be held for three years. Investment in a single company cannot exceed 20% of the total, and the purchase must be completed within four months of Ministry of Investment approval.
New Investment Projects: Establishing a new productive-sector project with minimum paid-up capital of JOD 700,000 (approx. USD 987,000) in Amman (or JOD 500,000 outside the capital), provided it creates 20 (or 10 outside Amman) verified Jordanian jobs within four months of operation.
Existing Productive-Sector Projects: Acquiring new shares in existing productive-sector projects with a minimum paid-in capital of JOD 1 million, provided the project’s new fixed tangible assets are worth at least JOD 500,000 and 20 new jobs for Jordanians are created.
Existing Investments (Partners/Owners): For existing investors who are partners or owners, citizenship may be granted if their average share of fixed and tangible non-current assets over the past three audited years is no less than JOD 700,000 in Amman (or JOD 350,000 outside), while maintaining at least 90% of the required employment (20 workers in Amman, 10 outside).
High Employment Generation: A new and distinct route grants citizenship to investors who employ 150 Jordanian citizens in Amman (or 100 outside Amman), provided they have been registered with the Social Security Corporation for at least one year prior to application and maintain this employment for two consecutive years after receiving citizenship.
Sector-Specific Investments: Specific commercial sectors like pharmaceutical/medical device warehouses, food logistics, and large warehouses have defined investment criteria, with minimum investments of JOD 3 million and specific job creation requirements (e.g., 20/10 Jordanian employees for three years).

For those seeking residency without direct citizenship, a five-year residency permit can be obtained by purchasing real estate from licensed developers (not existing owners) valued at a minimum of JOD 200,000, to be held unencumbered for at least five years.

Comprehensive Benefits and Application Process

The program extends benefits to the investor’s family, including spouse, dependent parents, unmarried daughters, widowed or divorced daughters living under their care, and unmarried sons under 24 years old. For investments exceeding JOD 2 million, male children under 30 years old, along with their wives and children, may also qualify for citizenship. All applicants undergo stringent security vetting and financial solvency checks, with an annual cap of 500 investors for citizenship. The process involves submitting a detailed application to the Ministry of Investment, which coordinates with relevant government bodies including the Ministry of Interior for approvals. Jordan’s commitment to unrestricted capital movement and the freedom to open unlimited bank accounts further enhances its appeal for investors managing global finances. This refined framework solidifies Jordan’s position as a premier destination for those seeking a secure second citizenship with promising prospects.