Country Guide

Jordan

Travel to Jordan safely and compliantly

Planning a workation in Amman? Or a business trip to Aqaba or Irbid? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Jordan, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.

Travel to Jordan safely and compliantly

Capital city

Amman

Telephone code

+962

Official language

Arabic

Currency

Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

Time zone

UTC+3

Social security compliance

When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Jordan has entered into social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.

To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.

Tax compliance

Jordan has signed multiple bilateral tax treaties to prevent double taxation and encourage foreign investment, available here. Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Jordan, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.

To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:

If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.

If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.

Overriding local employment provisions

Employees traveling to Jordan are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards.

Visa

To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.

For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Jordan, here's a quick overview:

  • E-visa: available for many nationalities through Jordan's online portal
  • Visa-on-arrival: available for select nationalities
  • Visa-free: available for a very few nationalities
  • Standard visa: For nationalities not eligible for e-visa or visa on arrival, a standard visa must be obtained through Jordanian diplomatic missions before travel
  • Digital Nomad Visa: Jordan does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa program

Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.


For those planning business trips to Jordan:

  • E-Visa: Available for most nationalities through Jordan's online portal
  • Visa on Arrival: Available only for select nationalities
  • Standard visa: Business visa through embassy required for Nationalities not eligible for e-visa/visa on arrival; Stays longer than 30 days; Specific business activities beyond meetings and conferences.

Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.

Working hours

Most employees in Jordan work from Sunday to Thursday, with a standard workweek consisting of 48 hours. The typical workday usually starts between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and ends between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, including a lunch break of about 1 hour. During Ramadan, working hours are typically reduced.

To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:

  • Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
  • Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
  • Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.

Public holidays

  • January 1: New Year's Day
  • March 23: National Day
  • May 1: Labor Day
  • May 25: Independence Day
  • December 25: Christmas Day

Islamic holidays (dates vary according to Islamic calendar):

  • Eid Al Fitr (marks end of Ramadan, approximately 10-11 days earlier each year, 3-4 days)
  • Eid Al Adha (10th-13th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Islamic calendar, 4 days)
  • Islamic New Year (1st of Muharram)
  • Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (12th of Rabi' al-awwal)

Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.

To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.

Working activities

When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.

If you are traveling for a workation, please:

  • Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
  • Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.

Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.

If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.

Data protection

Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.

When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Jordan has implemented Law of Personal Data Protection. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as limited. That means the data protection laws are minimal or underdeveloped, offering only basic safeguards. The country likely relies on voluntary compliance or international standards rather than local enforcement. While legislation may exist, the regulatory body is often absent or ineffective, learn more about it here.

For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:

  • Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
  • Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
  • Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
  • Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
  • Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.

Local emergency phone

911

Vaccination

Guidelines

Drinking potable water

Not advisable

Travel health insurance

When traveling to Jordan for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.

For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.

For travelers using WorkFlex‍

If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.

For other travelers

Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.

Urgent safety information

For travelers using WorkFlex:

Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.

For other travelers:

Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:

Terrorism

  • Nationwide risk of terrorist attacks, particularly in locations frequented by foreigners due to proximity to Syria and Iraq.
  • Authorities have heightened security measures.

Recommendations:

  • Stay vigilant in crowded places and during unforeseen events.
  • Adhere to global security advisories.

Domestic political situation

  • Syrian-Jordanian and Iraqi-Jordanian border areas are military zones with special access regulations.
  • Demonstrations and protests frequently occur, especially after Friday prayers, potentially leading to traffic disruptions or violent incidents.
  • Family or ethnic conflicts with violent outcomes, including firearms, are possible.

Recommendations:

  • Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
  • Use alternative routes if encountering road blockades.
  • Avoid intercity travel after nightfall.
  • Monitor local media and follow the instructions of security forces.
  • Note travel warnings for Syria and Iraq.

Crime

  • Low crime rate, but petty thefts (e.g., pickpocketing, vehicle thefts) and occasional sexual harassment can occur, especially in tourist hotspots and rural areas.
  • Supervised parking and caution in safeguarding valuables are advised.

Recommendations:

  • Secure money, IDs, and important documents; store digital backups for emergencies.
  • Avoid leaving valuables unattended in vehicles.
  • Female travelers should take extra precautions when alone, including using trusted transportation.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited emails, calls, or offers, and verify credibility before sharing personal data.

Jordan has a predominantly desert climate:

  • Summer (June to September): Very hot and dry: 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F). Little to no rainfall, high UV index.
  • Winter (December to February): Mild to cool: 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). Occasional rain, cold nights, especially in desert areas.
  • Spring/Autumn (March-May/October-November): Pleasant temperatures: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Occasional rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities.

Airports

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)

  • Location: Amman
  • When to use: Main international hub, primary gateway to Jordan

King Hussein International Airport (AQJ)

  • Location: Aqaba
  • When to use: Red Sea access, some international flights

Train stations

Jordan has limited passenger rail service. Most internal transport is by road.

Ride-hailing services

  • Careem
  • Uber

These ride-hailing apps are widely available and used in major cities like Amman.

Public transportation

  • Buses: Widely used for intercity travel but can be inconsistent in timing.
  • Taxis: Commonly used for local transportation; ensure the meter is running or agree on a price beforehand.