Jordan Travel Guide
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247 passport nationalities researched for entry into Jordan.
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Guide
Jordan sells a tourist product that doubles as a visa. The Jordan Pass waives the standard visa fee if you stay at least three consecutive nights, and it also prepays entry to more than 40 attractions, Petra among them. It is available to travelers who qualify for a Jordanian visa on arrival, which includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most Western countries. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Where you enter changes what you need. Visit Jordan's own border page says visas must be arranged beforehand for the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge and cannot be obtained there, that most nationalities can get one at the Sheikh Hussein crossing in the north, and that visas are no longer issued at Wadi Araba in the south, except to Israeli tour groups with the right documents.
Border crossings
- Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, the crossing that needs advance planning
It is 57 km from Amman and, as listed, open Sunday to Thursday 08:00 to 21:00 and Friday and Saturday 08:00 to 12:00. Visas cannot be bought at the crossing. It has also been shut for weeks or months at a time after security incidents, so check its status close to your travel date.
- Sheikh Hussein, in the north
About 90 km from Amman, and listed as open Sunday to Thursday 08:30 to 19:30 and Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 18:00. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival here, unless they are on the list of restricted nationalities.
- Wadi Araba, between Aqaba and Eilat
The southern crossing, 324 km from Amman, connects the two Red Sea resorts. Jordan's tourism board lists hours of 07:30 to 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and 09:00 to 21:00 on Friday and Saturday, and says visas are not issued there. Arrive with yours sorted.
- Jaber for Syria, Karameh for Iraq
Jaber is 80 km from Amman, the crossing visitors use for Syria, with visas available at the border and hours listed as Saturday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00. Karameh, also called Turaibil on the Iraqi side, is 331 km away and is Jordan's only crossing with Iraq, with the same visa arrangement and hours of 08:00 to 17:00.
- Durra, into Saudi Arabia
The Saudi crossing, 349 km from Amman, is listed as open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with visas available at the border on the Jordanian side.
Transit routes
- Vehicles do not cross with you at the Israel crossings
Guides report that private cars and tour buses cannot cross the international border here, so travelers change vehicles at the crossing, or use a different crossing altogether.
- Expect long waits at the busiest times
At peak season, guides describe crossing times of three to five hours as common, especially mid morning.
Entry point notes
- What the Jordan Pass actually covers
The three night rule is the condition for the visa fee waiver, and it is not an entry permit on its own. Buy it through the official Jordan Pass site before you arrive.
- Your visa status depends on which crossing you use
Allenby needs a visa in advance, Sheikh Hussein, Jaber, Karameh, and Durra offer them at the border, and Wadi Araba does not, except for Israeli tour groups. Plan the crossing before the visa.