Jordanian Citizenship by Investment: A Comprehensive Guide

Jordanian Citizenship by Investment: A Comprehensive Guide

Investing in Jordan can open the door to obtaining Jordanian citizenship. However, this path requires fulfilling specific conditions and procedures that vary depending on the investment sector. In this article, we delve into the fundamentals of acquiring Jordanian citizenship through investment, covering the requirements and processes involved.
Jordanian Citizenship for Investors: An Overview
Jordan’s strategic location attracts foreign investors to various economic and commercial sectors, particularly real estate, which has significantly boosted the Jordanian economy. Despite regional challenges, Jordan enjoys security and stability, offering numerous advantages to investors, including the possibility of obtaining citizenship under specific conditions that differ based on the invested sector.
Requirements and Procedures for Obtaining Jordanian Citizenship through Investment
First: Investment in the Economic Sector
The economic sector encompasses industry, agriculture, communications, health, media, education, and tourism (excluding restaurants and cafes). Citizenship is granted through investment in this sector via deposits and treasury bond purchases at the Central Bank, following this mechanism:

1. Submit a written application to the Ministry of Investment, including a transfer/deposit of one million US dollars in the ministry’s favor at the Central Bank for three years without interest, and a deposit at the Central Bank of one million dollars for six years.
2. Contact relevant authorities to obtain necessary security clearances.
3. Issue letters to relevant authorities for deposit and treasury bond purchases.
4. Refer the application to a technical committee for review and document verification, then submit recommendations for citizenship granting to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Second: Purchasing Shares and/or Stakes in Small and Medium Enterprises
Citizenship is obtained through purchasing shares and/or stakes in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) according to the following procedures:

1. Submit a written application to the ministry.
2. Contact relevant authorities for security clearances.
3. Purchase shares and/or stakes in Jordanian companies within economic sectors for a value of no less than one million five hundred thousand dollars, without disposing of them for at least three years.
4. A technical committee reviews the commercial register and annual budgets of the invested company, then submits recommendations to the relevant authority.
5. Prepare a recommendation by the committee rapporteur and submit it to the head of the investors’ committee, then to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Third: Establishing and Registering a New Investment Project
To acquire citizenship by establishing and registering a new investment project in any productive economic sector, the following conditions must be met:

• In Amman (the capital): Paid-up capital of no less than one million dollars and providing 20 real job opportunities for Jordanians.
• Outside Amman: Paid-up capital of no less than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars and providing 10 real job opportunities for Jordanians.

The investor is granted 4 months to operate the project and complete the number of Jordanian employees, receiving residency during this period. Afterward, a temporary Jordanian passport is issued for 3 years, granting the investor the same treatment as Jordanians except for political rights. After 3 years, Jordanian citizenship is granted.
Fourth: Owning Existing Investments
To obtain citizenship through owning existing investments, the following conditions must be met:

• In Amman: The investor’s average share of the total value of fixed assets, non-current assets, and tangible assets of the project is no less than one million US dollars, and a specific number of job opportunities for Jordanians are provided.
• Outside Amman: The investor’s average share is no less than five hundred thousand US dollars, and a specific number of job opportunities for Jordanians are provided.

Fifth: Investor’s Family Obtaining Citizenship
The investor’s family (wife, unmarried, widowed, or divorced daughters living under his care, sons under 18 years old, and dependent parents) can obtain citizenship according to specified procedures.
Sixth: Investment in Commercial Sectors
Specific conditions and procedures exist for obtaining Jordanian citizenship through investment in various commercial sectors, such as pharmaceutical warehouses and materials, paint materials and car showrooms, food logistics services, maritime navigation and transportation, housing for existing companies, and tourist restaurants. The required conditions for each sector vary in terms of investment size, assets and capital size, investor’s share, and the number of Jordanian workers to be employed.
Conclusion
Investing in Jordan offers an opportunity to obtain Jordanian citizenship, but specific conditions and procedures must be met for each investment sector. It is advisable to collaborate with a lawyer specializing in this field to ensure all rights are obtained and obligations are fulfilled by the investor.