Jordan Work Permit Guide for Employers 2026
Processing: 30–60 days. Authority: Ministry of Labour. Last reviewed: May 2026
Every work permit application in Jordan begins with one essential reference: the Ministry of Labour’s Comprehensive Guide of Principles for Issuing Work Permits for Non-Jordanian Workers — a regularly updated document (last edition 26 April 2026) that governs every aspect of the process.
t sets out which professions are closed to non-Jordanians, which are restricted, which are allowed and under what sector ratios, and the fee structure by category. No application proceeds compliantly without first checking this guide.
The employer submits the work permit application electronically to the Ministry of Labour, demonstrates that no qualified Jordanian was available, and ensures the establishment’s ratio of Jordanian to non-Jordanian employees meets the sector requirement.
Quick answer
Employer checks profession category in the Ministry of Labour Comprehensive Guide (mol.gov.jo — last edition 26 April 2026) → verify sector ratio allows another non-Jordanian → submit work permit application electronically to Ministry of Labour with justification → processing 30–60 days → employee enters Jordan and applies for residency permit at General Directorate of Residency and Borders → employer registers employee with Social Security Corporation (SSC). Fees: JOD 300–425 (non-Arab), JOD 180 (Arab), JOD 2,500 (specialized skills). Aqaba ASEZ: different authority, higher foreign worker quota, JOD 40/quarter. Minimum wage: JOD 290/month.
The Comprehensive Guide — the most important document for Jordan work permit compliance
The Ministry of Labour publishes and regularly updates the Comprehensive Guide of Principles for Issuing Work Permits for Non-Jordanian Workers. The last edition is dated 26 April 2026 and is available directly from the Ministry of Labour website/
It has been amended multiple times in 2024 and 2025, most recently by Resolution No. (51/2025) on 14 September 2025 and Resolution No. (18/2025) on 7 April 2025. Employers must use the current edition before initiating any work permit application, as the permitted professions, sector ratios, and procedures are updated throughout the year.
The three-tier profession system: closed, restricted, and allowed
Jordan’s Ministry of Labour categorises every profession into one of three tiers for non-Jordanian workers. Identifying the correct tier for the intended role is the first step in any work permit process, and the most consequential. Applying for a permit in a closed profession will always fail; applying in a restricted profession without the required approval will also fail.
Closed professions
Professions that are not permitted for non-Jordanian workers under any circumstances. A work permit cannot be issued regardless of the employer’s justification or the candidate’s qualifications. The full list is published in the Comprehensive Guide and is updated by ministerial resolution. Examples include many retail trade, service, and administrative roles reserved exclusively for Jordanians.
Restricted professions
Professions allowed for non-Jordanian workers only with specific approval from the competent authority. The employer must obtain this approval before submitting the work permit application to the Ministry of Labour. Certain industries with regulated professions — legal, medical, engineering — require additional clearances from the relevant professional body or ministry.
Allowed professions
Professions available for non-Jordanian workers, subject to the Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian staffing ratio for the employer’s specific economic sector. The ratio determines the maximum number of non-Jordanian workers the establishment may employ. If the establishment has already reached its ratio limit, no additional non-Jordanian work permits can be issued until more Jordanians are hired.
Why checking closed professions first saves months of wasted effort
Professions listed in the closed category cannot be opened by any level of justification, recommendation, or corporate seniority. Employers who submit work permit applications without first checking the closed profession list — available in the Comprehensive Guide — regularly face automatic rejection and lose application fees. The closed profession list is updated by ministerial resolution throughout the year. Employers should download the latest edition of the Comprehensive Guide from mol.gov.jo before every new hire involving a non-Jordanian worker.
Sector ratios: the Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian employee requirement
The Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian staffing ratio varies by economic sector and activity code. The Comprehensive Guide publishes detailed tables, spanning dozens of pages, setting out the number of Jordanian employees required relative to non-Jordanian workers for each activity. These are not advisory targets; they are hard limits. An establishment that has reached its permitted ratio of non-Jordanian workers cannot obtain additional work permits until it increases its Jordanian headcount.
Ratios are enforced at the establishment level, meaning at the individual commercial registration, not at the group or company level. An employer group with multiple commercial registrations in Jordan must meet the ratio requirement for each registration separately.
How to check your sector’s ratio: Download the current Comprehensive Guide from mol.gov.jo. Locate your sector’s economic activity code. Read the maximum non-Jordanian worker count relative to Jordanian employee count for that activity. If the numbers do not clearly match your situation, contact the relevant Labour Directorate before submitting an application.
Specialised Skills Work Permit
The Specialised Skills Work Permit is a distinct authorisation route for highly skilled non-Jordanian workers in professions where the employer can demonstrate that no qualified Jordanian job seeker is available.
It applies in three circumstances confirmed in the Ministry’s instructions: there is a shortage of local workers with in-demand skills; the applicant possesses rare expertise and knowledge that can be transferred to the Jordanian labour market; or the employment of the skilled foreign worker will contribute to generating job opportunities for Jordanians.
Key features of the Specialised Skills Work Permit
- Fee: JOD 2,500 — significantly higher than the standard permit fee.
- Validity: up to 1 year with possibility of renewal at the same specialized skills fee if the worker has previously paid it.
- Upgrading a worker from a lower-skilled to a higher-skilled permit category is permitted; downgrading from a higher to a lower category is not.
Applications for renewal or change of employer/profession under the specialised skills system are submitted through the relevant Labour Directorate/Office. The Employment Committee formed within the Ministry reviews and decides on specialised skills applications.
Employers considering this route should be aware that the Ministry exercises significant discretion in assessing applications, and the Ministry has not published a definitive shortage occupations list, meaning each application is assessed individually.
Work permit fees in Jordan. 2026
| Fee / Category | Amount | Notes |
| Non-Arab workers | JOD 300–425 | Most sectors. Varies by sector. JOD 120 for agriculture. |
| Arab workers | JOD 180 | Most sectors. JOD 60 for agriculture. |
| Renewal | JOD 150–175 | Varies by sector and worker nationality. |
| Specialised skills | JOD 2,500 | Applies where no qualified Jordanian worker is available. Subject to Employment Committee review. |
| Aqaba ASEZ | JOD 40 per quarter | Applies during visa or permit validity. Managed by the separate ASEZA authority. |
All fees are paid to the Ministry of Labour. Additional fees apply for General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) registration where required. Fees are periodically updated by ministerial resolution, always confirm current figures in the Comprehensive Guide before payment.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ)
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) administers its own work permit and visa framework, entirely separate from the mainland Jordan Ministry of Labour process. ASEZ businesses can hire a substantially higher proportion of foreign workers than mainland Jordan — up to 70% or more in eligible sectors.
The ASEZ work permit fee is JOD 40 per quarter during the permit validity period. ASEZA issues its own work permits, visitor visas, and residency permits. Employers operating within ASEZ should contact ASEZA directly rather than the Ministry of Labour for work authorisation procedures.
How to hire a foreign national in Jordan
Check the Comprehensive Guide — profession category and sector ratio
Before any other step, the employer downloads the current Comprehensive Guide from mol.gov.jo (last edition 26 April 2026) and checks: Is the intended profession on the closed list? Is it restricted (requiring a competent authority approval)? If allowed, does the establishment’s current Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian ratio permit an additional non-Jordanian hire in this sector? Skipping this step is the most common cause of wasted application fees and processing time. Closed profession leads to automatic rejection regardless of documents or justification.
Employer prepares justification and application package
The employer prepares a justification letter demonstrating the necessity of the non-Jordanian hire, specifically showing that no qualified Jordanian candidate was available for the role. Company documentation is gathered: commercial registration, sector-specific licences if applicable, tax and social security compliance clearances, and evidence of being an active, registered employer in good standing. The employee’s personal documents are collected separately. Justification quality is assessed, generic letters are frequently insufficient.
Employer submits work permit application to Ministry of Labour
The application is submitted through the Ministry of Labour’s electronic system. The authorized person or representative of the employer submits all required documents electronically. For specialized skills applications, the submission is through the relevant Labour Directorate. The Ministry processes and tracks applications online, and employers can track application status. Processing takes approximately 30 to 60 days for standard applications. Electronic submission via Ministry of Labour system.
Ministry of Labour reviews
The relevant Labour Directorate reviews the application for compliance with profession category, sector ratio, and documentation. For standard applications: 30–60 days. For specialised skills applications, the Employment Committee formed within the Ministry reviews and decides, processing times may be longer given the additional scrutiny and the Ministry’s discretionary assessment. Standard: 30–60 days | Specialised skills: Employment Committee review, may be longer.
Employee enters Jordan and applies for residency permit
Once the work permit is approved, the employee obtains the appropriate entry visa (if required based on nationality) and travels to Jordan. The employee then applies for the residency permit at the General Directorate of Residency and Borders (under the Public Security Directorate / Ministry of Interior). Residency permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually while employment continues. Residency permit: General Directorate of Residency and Borders, annual renewal.
Employer registers employee with Social Security Corporation (SSC)
The employer registers the employee with the Social Security Corporation and begins monthly contributions. The employer must also maintain ongoing compliance, ensuring the employee works only in the approved role and location, renewing the work permit and residency before expiry, and cancelling the work permit at the Ministry of Labour if employment ends. Work permit must be cancelled at Ministry of Labour when employment ends, clearance required before departure.
| Process / Step | Timeline / Stage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Profession + ratio check | Before applying | Comprehensive Guide — mol.gov.jo |
| Application submitted | Day 1 | Electronic — Ministry of Labour system |
| Processing | 30–60 days | Standard; longer for specialized skills |
| Residency permit | After arrival | General Directorate of Residency |
| Total end-to-end | 2–4 months | Application to residency in hand |
Documents required for a Jordan work permit
Employer documents, submitted with application to Ministry of Labour
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Work permit application form | Submitted electronically through the Ministry of Labour system; includes profession code, salary, and employment duration |
| Justification letter from employer | Demonstrates the necessity of hiring a non-Jordanian; confirms no qualified Jordanian candidate was available; signed by the employer’s authorised representative |
| Commercial registration certificate | Confirms the employer is a registered Jordanian business entity; must be current |
| Tax and Social Security Corporation clearance | Evidence that the employer is in good standing with tax and SSC obligations — required for most sectors |
| Sector-specific licence (where applicable) | For regulated sectors — healthcare, construction, tourism, etc. — the employer must hold the relevant professional or operational licence |
| Competent authority approval (restricted professions only) | Must be obtained before the Ministry of Labour application for professions in the restricted category |
| Copy of employment contract | Signed by both employer and employee; specifies profession, salary (must meet or exceed the minimum wage of JOD 290/month), and duration |
Employee documents, submitted with application
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Minimum 6 months validity; copy of biographical pages and all visa/entry pages |
| Two passport-sized photographs | Recent; meeting Ministry of Labour specifications |
| Educational qualification certificates | Must be authenticated by the Jordanian embassy in the country of issue and verified by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; relevant to the role |
| Medical fitness certificate | Issued by an authorised medical centre; confirms the applicant is free of contagious diseases and fit for employment in Jordan |
| Police clearance certificate | Issued by the applicant’s country of residence; legalised for use in Jordan; translated into Arabic if applicable |
| Birth certificate copy | Required for most applications — legalised and translated into Arabic where necessary |
| Letter of recommendation from previous employer (if applicable) | Supporting the candidate’s qualifications and experience relevant to the applied-for position |
Jordan work permit at a glance. 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Ministry of Labour — mol.gov.jo | Relevant Labour Directorate/Office |
| Primary reference document | Comprehensive Guide of Principles for Issuing Work Permits for Non-Jordanian Workers — updated 26 April 2026 |
| Three-tier profession system | Closed (prohibited) | Restricted (authority approval required) | Allowed (subject to sector ratio) |
| Sector ratio requirement | Varies by economic activity code — published in Comprehensive Guide; must be met before additional non-Jordanian permits are issued |
| Processing time | 30–60 days for standard applications; Employment Committee review for specialized skills |
| Fee — non-Arab workers (most sectors) | JOD 300–425 | Agriculture: JOD 120 |
| Fee — Arab workers (most sectors) | JOD 180 | Agriculture: JOD 60 |
| Fee — renewal | JOD 150–175 |
| Fee — Specialized Skills | JOD 2,500 (Employment Committee review; discretionary assessment) |
| Aqaba ASEZ | Separate ASEZA authority; JOD 40/quarter; higher foreign worker ratio permitted |
| Minimum wage | JOD 290/month (approximately USD 410) — from 2025 |
| Residency permit | General Directorate of Residency and Borders — annual; renewed while employment continues |
| Social Security Corporation | Employer must register and pay SSC contributions throughout employment |
| Permit cancellation obligation | Work permit must be cancelled at Ministry of Labour when employment ends — required before employee departure |
| Labour documents language | Arabic is required for official documents; translations to Arabic necessary for foreign-language certificates |
Official government resources in Jordan
- Ministry of Labour — Non-Jordanian workersmol.gov.jo/EN/Pages/NonJordanian_workers
The official Ministry of Labour page for non-Jordanian worker services. Hosts the current Comprehensive Guide, Syrian refugee worker guidance, service guides, and forms. Last updated 3 May 2026.
2. Comprehensive Guide — current edition (26 April 2026)
The definitive reference for all work permit applications — closed professions, restricted professions, allowed professions by sector ratio, specialized skills rules, and fee tables. Employers must use the current edition.
Issa Al Naouri St 11, Amman. Tel: +962 6 5802666 | Fax: +962 6 5855072. Working hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
The Jordan Labour Law and associated regulations governing private sector employment, minimum wages, termination, leave, and employer obligations. Available in English from the Ministry of Labour.
5. Social Security Corporation (SSC)
Employer registration and contribution management for social security in Jordan. All employers of non-Jordanian workers must register employees with the SSC and maintain monthly contribution payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the final legal liability if an employee violates local labour laws?
Under the Employer of Record model, the EOR, for example Acumen International, acts as the registered sponsor, or kafeel, and assumes the legal and administrative responsibilities attached to local employment. The client company manages the employee’s day-to-day work, but the EOR is the party accountable to the Ministry of Labour and the Social Security Corporation for employment compliance, payroll administration, statutory contributions and contract-related obligations.
Is it possible to upgrade an existing worker to a Specialised Skills permit?
Yes. According to the April 2026 Comprehensive Guide, an employer can apply to move a worker from a standard permit to the Specialised Skills category, which carries a JOD 2,500 fee, if the role evolves to require rare or high-level expertise.
However, the reverse is not permitted. Once a worker is classified under the Specialised Skills tier, the employer cannot downgrade the worker to a lower-fee standard permit while the employee continues performing the same duties.
Can an employer share a Jordanian-to-expatriate ratio across different branch offices?
No. Jordan applies staffing ratios at the establishment level. This means each specific Commercial Registration must independently meet the required Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian ratio.
If a company has one branch in Amman and another in Irbid under separate registrations, a surplus of Jordanian employees in Amman cannot be used to offset a shortage in Irbid for the purpose of securing a new expatriate work permit.
What happens to the work permit if the employee’s passport expires?
A work permit is linked to the passport number submitted through the Ministry of Labour portal. If the employee renews their passport during the employment period, the employer must update the Ministry of Labour records so the new passport details match the work permit and residency records.
Failure to keep these details aligned can create issues during labour inspections, residency checks or border control procedures.
Are there exemptions to the JOD 290 minimum wage for foreign workers?
No. As of 2026, the JOD 290 per month minimum wage is the required floor for foreign workers across all sectors. An employment contract submitted with a lower salary may be rejected by the Ministry of Labour.
The Social Security Corporation also cross-checks salary declarations. The salary stated for work permit purposes must align with the salary used for social security contributions.
Why partner with Acumen International for EOR and compliance support in Jordan
Acumen International supports companies hiring in Jordan without setting up a local entity. Through our Employer of Record in Jordan, we act as the registered local employer and manage the employment, payroll, sponsorship and compliance requirements.
Key areas of support include:
- Local employment sponsorship through a compliant Jordanian employer structure
- Work permit and residency coordination for eligible foreign hires
- Employment contract preparation aligned with Jordanian labour requirements
- Payroll administration and social security registration
- Support with Ministry of Labour justification requirements for expatriate hires
- Monitoring of establishment-level Jordanian-to-non-Jordanian staffing ratios
- Guidance on standard, renewal and Specialised Skills permit categories
- Coordination of work permit cancellation, clearance and offboarding steps
- Support for companies that need to hire in Jordan before committing to local incorporation
For international employers, this reduces the operational burden of entering Jordan directly while keeping the employment relationship structured through a compliant local model.
Hiring foreign nationals in Jordan?
Acumen International’s Global EOR solution gives your business a compliant route to employing workers in Jordan, managing the Comprehensive Guide profession check, justification letter preparation, Ministry of Labour work permit applications, residency permit coordination, SSC registration, and payroll compliance throughout the employment lifecycle.
Important: Acumen International operates as a Global Employer of Record and supports businesses deploying their own expatriate employees in Jordan. Our involvement flows from our role as the registered Jordanian employing entity — specifically, work permit applications to the Ministry of Labour, SSC registration, and employment compliance under Jordan Labour Law. We do not provide standalone immigration legal advice and do not assist individuals seeking employment in Jordan independently.