Most nationalities require a visa, which can be obtained prior to arrival, or they can be issued at the airport if arriving by air. A single entry visa costs JD10, is valid for one month and is payable in Dinars only. Extensions are possible for up to three months and are available at any police station. All visitors require a passport valid for at least six months after date of arrival in the country and all tickets and documents for onward travel.
Americans: United States citizens require a passport and visa.
UK nationals: British citizens require a passport and
a visa.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa.
Australians: Australians require a passport and a visa.
South Africans: South Africans require a passport and a visa, which is issued free on arrival.
Irish nationals: Irish citizens require a passport and a visa.
New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport and a visa.
Health
Inoculations are not required unless traveling from an area infected with yellow fever, in which case a certificate will be requested on arrival. Although not necessary, it is recommended that a vaccination for typhoid be had before travel to Jordan, except for short-term business travelers who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels. It is advisable to drink bottled water, which is cheap and widely available, although better hotels have their own water filtering systems. An outbreak of bird flu was detected in poultry in the north of the country, but the risk to travelers is low. However, close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution. Medical services are good throughout the country with clinics, hospitals and medical centers in every city or village, and many doctors in the larger towns or cities speak English. Most hospitals are privately owned. Travelers should carry their own prescription medicines and medical insurance is recommended.
Safety
There is a high risk of terrorist attacks throughout the
Middle East including Jordan and foreigners should maintain a high level of vigilance particularly in public places frequented by tourists and at tourist sites. US citizens in particular are advised to keep a low profile if travel to Jordan is necessary. A gunman opened fire on a group of tourists in
Amman in September 2006, killing one and injuring five others. In November 2005 bombs exploded in three hotels in Amman - the
Grand Hyatt,
Radisson SAS and
Days Inn - killing 67 people and injuring over 100.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq claimed the attack saying the hotels were targeted because they were widely used by Americans, Israelis and Westerners on business. The situation in
Iraq has had an impact on local opinion, as well as the violence between the neighboring Israelis and Palestinians, and foreigners should avoid all public demonstrations and political gatherings. Care should be taken at the borders with
Israel and Iraq. Crime is not a serious risk for travelers although on buses and in crowded places visitors could be the target of pickpockets or petty thieves.
