Exercise increased caution in Jordan due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks in Jordan. Read the Safety and Security section on the. The Border with Syria and Iraq Travelers should avoid Jordan's border with Syria and Iraq given the continued threat of cross-border violence, including the risk of terrorist attacks. Personal travel by U. Visit our website for. A passport with a validity of at least six months and a visa are required. Jordan issues single-entry visas to U. Multiple entry visas must be obtained in advance of travel. Travellers are typically, but not always, given a single extension of 60 days. For more information regarding travel to the West Bank and Jerusalem, please contact the. Travelers may be denied entry at ports of entry, including land border crossings, if they are known to have HIV. Those who fail to submit to the test or who test positive for HIV are denied residency and may be deported. For further information, please see the website before you travel. Travelers should check the and for all countries they plan to visit during their travel to the region. Border crossing requirements may change, and borders may be closed during periods of heightened security. For further information, travelers may contact the at 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008, or by telephone at 202 966-2861 or 202 966-2664. Jordan also maintains honorary consulates in Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA. Find information on , and on our websites. Terrorism and Organized Criminal Activity: The threat of terrorism remains high in Jordan. Transnational and indigenous terrorist groups have demonstrated the capability to plan and implement attacks in Jordan. Violent extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, including the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham ISIS , and Jabhat al-Nusra, have conducted attacks in Jordan and continue to plot against local security forces, U. A shootout between a separate terrorist cell and Jordanian security forces occurred in the same area two days later. Protests and demonstrations took place in al-Jafr and surrounding areas throughout July 2017 after a Jordanian military court issued a guilty verdict against the soldier. As a result, the Embassy temporarily placed several areas of southern Jordan, including parts of a main highway linking Amman the coastal city of Aqaba, off limits for personal and official travel for all U. The travel restrictions were rescinded on August 6, 2017. Embassy temporarily makes other areas within Jordan off limits to its staff based on the security situation. In general, terrorists often do not distinguish between U. Terrorists may target areas frequented by Westerners, such as tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, shopping malls, transportation hubs, places of worship, expatriate residential areas, and schools. In light of these security concerns, U. Demonstrations: Demonstrations are common. Some, especially smaller ones, have turned violent, leading security officials to intervene. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become violent, so travelers should avoid all protests and large gatherings of people. Many demonstrations occur on Fridays near mosques following mid-day prayers. You should exercise special sensitivity and caution when visiting or traveling near mosques and religious sites during holy days and Fridays. Demonstrations and other forms of unrest have occurred on public university campuses in Jordan. Some acts of violence on university campuses have involved the use of firearms. Tribal Violence: Clashes between feuding tribes, clans, or families periodically erupt without notice and sometimes involve violence, including the use of firearms. In some cases, Jordanian security services are slow to respond or may opt to let the violence subside before intervening. Syria and Iraq Borders: U. The Department of State warns against all travel into Syria and Iraq. Please see the and for Syria and Iraq for further information. CRIME: Statistically, petty crime is the most common form that U. Travelers should be guarded in these areas and in all tourist locations in Jordan. Jordanian police have warned the public to exercise vigilance when leaving banks or ATMs, to reduce likelihood of targeting by thieves. Thefts of vehicles, assaults, robbery, and attempted residential break-ins have also been reported. Take care not to display valuables in your car or on your person, and be sure to lock car doors and windows. Violent crime is increasing, but U. In the past, the Embassy has received reports of firearms being discharged at vehicles being driven by Westerners. Celebratory gunfire is common, especially during major festivals, sporting events, or the biannual release of high school test scores. Not only are the pirated copies illegal in the United States, if you purchase them, you will also be breaking local law. Most DVDs, CDs, and software available for sale in Jordan are pirated. See the and the pages for information on scams. Victims of Crime: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police. As in the United States, emergency assistance can be reached by dialing 911. Domestic and Sexual Violence: U. Remember, however, that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See our webpage on. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday except U. See the for the and. Embassy in Jordan on , on and visit the. Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U. For examples, see our website on and the website. The Jordanian constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press with some restrictions. Insulting the King or members of the Royal Family may lead to detainment or imprisonment. Additionally, activities that the Jordanian government considers proselytizing to Muslims including the distribution of religious material are forbidden under the law and anyone undertaking these activities is subject to prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation. Please see the information below on Islam as the state religion of Jordan. Jordanian courts may impose criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for alleged infractions that in the United States would be resolved in civil courts. Embassy is aware of several cases involving business or financial disputes that resulted in lengthy pre-trial detention and imprisonment under local financial crimes laws. Jordan has very strict drug laws; drug offenses fall under the umbrella of state security and adhere to a different set of criminal procedures than other offenses. Accused offenders can be detained for up to two weeks without charges; this delay can result in the Embassy not being notified about the detainment because an official arrest has not taken place. Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U. See our for further information. Family Circumstances: The U. Embassy is aware of cases where U. Women and children should pay particular attention to any warning signs, including husbands or other family members withholding money or travel documents for such purposes after arrival in Jordan. Cases of domestic violence should be reported to the Family Protection Department, which is part of the national police. Travelers should also be aware that U. Travel Holds: Under Jordanian law, any adult male may prevent his minor children from leaving Jordan by simply registering a hold on their travel with the Jordanian authorities. Husbands may place travel holds on their wives pursuant to a court order from a Jordanian court. Adult male relatives uncles, brothers, grandfathers may also petition Jordanian courts for a travel hold on their unmarried adult female relatives. This is possible even if the child or woman holds only U. Jordanian authorities consider disputes surrounding travel holds as private family matters, and the Embassy is limited in its ability to intervene. Travel holds may only be removed by the person who placed them or by a court. Male Military Requirement: U. Jordanian men under age 40 are required to register for service in the Jordanian military. Those subject to registration may be prevented from leaving Jordan until exit permission is obtained from appropriate Jordanian authorities. This permission is often granted to U. Dual Citizenship: The Government of Jordan considers U. Local authorities typically do not notify the U. Embassy of arrests, detentions, or accidents involving dual nationals. For this reason, dual nationals in particular should carry copies of their U. For additional information, see our information on. Customs: Jordanian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Jordan of items such as drugs, firearms, poisons, chemicals, explosives, pornographic materials, communications equipment, and antiquities, among other items. You should contact the in Washington, D. Please also refer to our page for additional information. Faith-Based Travelers: See the. Islam is the state religion of Jordan. The Jordanian government generally does not interfere in religious practices. Some religious groups, however, cannot obtain legal recognition of their denominations. On official documents such as birth and wedding certificates, the Government of Jordan only allows affiliation with legally recognized faiths: Islam, certain Christian churches, and Judaism. Not listing an affiliated faith, or listing a faith outside those recognized by the government, is generally not permitted. Activities such as proselytizing or encouraging conversion to any faith other than Islam are prohibited. Public displays of affection between individuals of the same sex are not considered culturally acceptable. Gay and lesbian Jordanians frequently hide their sexuality, especially from family members. See our page and section 6 of our for further details. Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Jordan, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is found in the United States. Outside of a few of the more upscale hotels in the capital, individuals with disabilities will find almost no accessible accommodations. Similarly there are very few accessible restaurants, shops, or historical sites. Transportation is not accessible and sidewalks and crosswalks, even in the main cities, are not accessible. Handicap-accessible toilets and bathrooms, even in major hospitals, are generally not available. Students: See our page and. Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for. Women visiting and residing in Jordan have reported incidents of sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, and assault. The Embassy continues to receive sporadic reports regarding incidents of sexual assaults involving taxis and taxi drivers. Many of the incidents have involved verbal sexual harassment, staring, or following the victim. Some have included physical assaults. To reduce the likelihood of being victimized, women should take precautions such as avoiding travel to unfamiliar areas at night, not traveling alone, not riding in the front seat of a taxi, and consider dressing modestly when in public. We also recommend carrying a cell phone at all times. Immediately report any incidents to the Family ProtectiProtection Department, which is part of the national police and can be reached by calling 911. Most acute and chronic medical conditions can be appropriately handled. When called, ambulance vehicles are often slow to arrive and personnel generally have only a basic level of training. Most hospitals in Jordan, especially in Amman, are privately owned. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment or a high deposit for services. Seasonal dust storms that envelop the country for days or weeks each spring may significantly aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma or sinus problems. Embassy does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U. Medicare does not apply overseas. Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most medical providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more. Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all recommended by the U. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The information below concerning Jordan is provided for general reference only and may not be completely accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Embassy Amman has advised its employees to avoid driving at night outside the Amman metropolitan area due to road conditions, poorly lighted rural roads, and erratic behavior by other drivers. It is typical for drivers in Jordan not to signal for turns or lane changes. Drivers tend to be aggressive, and cars operate very closely together on highways. Jordanian roads are particularly treacherous during the rainy season, which runs from December to March. Heavy snowfall can occur in winter months December to February , making many roads — even major highways — impassable for several days. Driving in Amman also is hazardous in the summer months of June to September when Jordan experiences an influx of visitors from other countries in the region. Highway traffic is heavy around the Muslim holidays when many Jordanian expatriates return to Jordan for family visits. The Desert Highway outside Aqaba, as well as the Dead Sea Highway from Amman, both popular tourist routes, are dangerous because they are narrow, winding, steep, and crowded with trucks. Try to avoid using these roads at night. When driving in both urban and rural areas, motorists should beware of unmarked speed bumps and livestock, including camels, sheep, and goats. Collisions with livestock are common. As a result of these factors, traffic accidents are frequent and continue to be the largest cause of injury and death in Jordan. Speed cameras are installed on many roads in Jordan. If stopped by police, drivers may face a fine. Police may pull over speeding drivers, as well as those believed to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Insurance: Licensed drivers must carry local third-party insurance with sufficient coverage for accidents resulting in injury or death. Drivers who are involved in an accident should remain at the scene and immediately call the police and emergency personnel in case injuries have occurred. Identification documents can be recovered at the police station. It is common for drivers to blame a U. Following an accident, the other party may file criminal or civil charges to seek damages. Embassy recommends that U. Taxis: Jordan has abundant taxi services. Please see the Crime section for more information on sexual harassment and assault involving taxi drivers, as well as safety tips when using public or private transportation. Visitors should make arrangements for taxis via their hotel and request that drivers not pick up additional passengers en route to their destinations. Although not yet fully and clearly regulated and legalized, on-call taxi services such as Uber and Careem operate in Jordan. Mass transportation options such as buses are not recommended. Jordanian security authorities often establish checkpoints, especially on roads leading to popular tourist destinations, where drivers are expected to stop and present their identity documents. All drivers should stop when directed to do so and comply with the instructions provided to them by the authorities. Emergencies should be referred to the Civil Defense Department by dialing 911. Visit the website of. For information on driving regulations, please contact the at 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008, by telephone at 202 966-2664. Please additionally refer to our for more information. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U. Further information may be found on the. MARITIME TRAVEL: Mariners planning travel to Jordan should also check for U. Information may also be posted to the , and the. × External Link You are about to leave travel. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel. You are about to visit:.
