The borders of Jordan are now closed. It is not possible to travel in or out of the country, either by air or across borders. For more information about coronavirus virus restrictions, see the section Health.
Safety
Threat Level: Jordan is considered a safe destination. Authorities maintain a significant security presence in public places. Terrorist attacks against Western interests cannot be ruled out, but the last five years have carried out terrorist attacks against Jordanian police and security forces. In 2015¨C2016, dozens of officers from police, intelligence and the army were killed in major and minor attacks. In 2016, a Canadian tourist was killed as she ended up in the line of gunfire between police and attackers. In the aftermath of this incident, Jordanian security services arrested thousands of people they had supervised. Since then, only two terrorist attacks have been seen in Jordan, one in 2018 and one in 2019, both aimed at the police.
In the border areas against Syria in the northeast – close to the temporary refugee camp Rukban which houses about 28,000 internally displaced Syrians – attacks have been carried out against Jordanian security forces. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs discourages all travel to Syria and Iraq, including areas in Jordan that are three kilometers or closer to the border.
In June 2018, large demonstrations took place across Jordan in protest of a bill on increased income tax and higher electricity and gasoline taxes. The protests led the government to step down. In 2019, the protests have been substantially less in scope, but occur relatively regularly and are often motivated by the Israel/Palestine conflict or dissatisfaction with the government’s socio-economic policies. Travelers are advised to stay away from any calls for demonstrations and large crowds, especially on Fridays, which are holidays in Jordan.
Crime: The level of crime in Jordan is generally low compared to Norway, and it is felt safe to move in the country, including in the capital Amman. Travelers should still exercise caution and take good care of valuables. Especially women traveling alone should bear in mind that sexual harassment and rape occur. When using a taxi it should be ensured that the driver is alone in the car. Women are advised to sit in the back seat. Homosexuality is not criminalized in Jordan, but Norwegian travelers are noted that it is not culturally accepted and that discrimination based on sexual orientation occurs to a large extent.
Natural Disasters: The Earth Valley is part of the East African Rift Valley, a system of cracks that occurred when the African and Arab continental plates moved away from each other some 35 million years ago. Earthquakes occur, but are usually small. The last earthquake that measured above 5.0 on Richter’s scale occurred in November 1995.
Travelers should be aware that during heavy rainfall, floods and landslides can occur. Trips to valley managers in Jordan (“wadier”) should therefore be avoided if large amounts of rain have been reported. This includes Petra. In October 2018, more than 20 people died, most of them students on school trips, when a bus was taken by a flood-triggered landslide at the Dead Sea in Jordan. The number of traffic accidents also increases significantly in rain or in frost, as the roads can become very slippery.
Road Safety: The number of road accidents in Jordan is high and ever increasing. The roads in Jordan are good in the major urban centers, but the accident figures are due to high speed and lack of respect for the traffic rules. The use of seat belts is also not widespread. Motorists usually do not stop for pedestrians. The embassy therefore recommends that you exercise caution in traffic both as a motorist and pedestrian. It is recommended that you avoid driving outside Amman and its surroundings after dark, as many drivers drive without lights and few roads have street lights.
The emergency number in Jordan (police, ambulance, fire department) is 911.
Travel insurance: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages Norwegian citizens who plan to visit Jordan to take out travel insurance. Before the trip, it is important to make sure that the insurance is valid, that it is valid for the entire stay, as well as what the travel insurance may cover.
Contact information: The Norwegian Embassy in Amman has telephone number +962 65 902 450 and e-mail address emb.amman@mfa.no. The phone is answered during office hours, Sunday to Thursday 9am to 3pm local time.
Outside office hours, weekends and holidays, the same telephone number is answered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ operational center (UDops) in Oslo. The center is staffed around the clock. Direct number for UDops is +47 23 95 00 00.
Norwegian citizens planning to visit Jordan are encouraged to make use of UD’s travel registration. Everyone who signs up is asked to provide contact information to the next of kin. Norwegians who plan to stay in Jordan for an extended period of time, for example in connection with work or study, are also encouraged to contact the embassy directly.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegians must have a visa to stay in Jordan. A single entry visa can be purchased for 40 Jordanian Dinars (JOD) upon arrival at Amman and Aqaba airports and at the border crossings, with the exception of the King Hussein Bridge/ Allenby Bridge border crossing to the West Bank. At the airport of Amman, the visa can be paid by card, or ATMs are available at both Amman and Aqaba airports. At the border crossings, it is recommended to withdraw cash for payment of the visa in advance.
Through the websites of Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiques, tourists can purchase the so-called “Jordan Pass” (70-80 JOD), which provides both a single-entry visa and free access to a number of tourist attractions in Jordan. Travelers who purchase “Jordan Pass” must bring this document and have it stamped upon entry.
If you want a visa for multiple entries, you must apply for Jordan’s embassy in Oslo in advance. You should also consider applying for a visa if you have recently acquired Norwegian citizenship. To obtain a visa, the passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your stay. The visa can be extended by up to ten weeks by contacting the Jordanian police. A blood test is sometimes required. When traveling across border crossings, an exit tax of eight JOD must be paid. This does not apply when leaving the airport.
Contact info for Jordan’s Embassy in Oslo:
The Embassy Of The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan In Norway
Bestumstubben 11, 0281 Oslo
Phone: 22 06 00 47/22 50 37 39
E-mail: oslo@fm.gov.jo.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Jordan’s borders are now closed. It is not possible to travel in or out of the country, either by air or across borders.
The Jordanian authorities have announced a 14-day curfew, effective from 18.03 at 08.00.
Grocery stores and pharmacies should remain open, but moving outdoors is prohibited other than in the “most urgent cases”. It will be prohibited to gather in groups of more than ten people and to move between different governorates. An increased military presence is expected in the streets.
The embassy will urge everyone to exercise caution and to follow any local injunctions.
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Reference is made to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health for supplementary official health advice when traveling abroad. No vaccines are mandatory, but it is recommended to take hepatitis A (Havrix), polio, tetanus and typhoid. Major epidemic diseases are rare in Jordan. Minor outbreaks of cholera occur occasionally in Amman, especially in late summer. Malaria previously existed in the area around the Jordan Valley, but is now considered to be eradicated. Rabies can be found in dogs, bats and other animals in Jordan, especially outside the cities. It is generally not necessary to take rabies vaccine unless you plan outdoor activities (longer trips, camping and the like) where you can get in contact with animals.
Medicines and pharmacy products can be purchased locally. The access to doctors and the standard of the hospitals in Amman are good. Hospitals and medical services outside Amman often have lower standards. Some hospitals require payment in cash.
Throughout, the sanitary conditions of hotels and restaurants in Jordan are satisfactory. Tap water should not be drunk. Check the seal on bottles.
Be prepared for hot climates in the summer months. Use high sunscreen to protect the skin. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. In winter, minus degrees and snow can occur.
Practical information
The embassy recommends travelers always carry their passports.
It is forbidden to photograph embassies and military facilities in Jordan, as well as their surroundings.
Possession of any kind of drug is strictly prohibited and will be punished.
Phone and power: According to allcitycodes, country code is +962. There are three nationwide GSM networks, Umniah, Zain and Orange. Like Norway, the standard for voltage in the mains is 230 volts (50 hertz AC). Several different types of plugs are used, so you may want to bring an adapter.
Currency: The currency unit is Jordanian dinars and fils. A Jordanian dinar (JOD) = 1000 fils. The exchange rate is linked to the US dollar (USD) with the ratio of 1 JOD = USD 1,4104.
Banks: ATMs are easily accessible both in the capital Amman and most places where tourists travel. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in major cities and tourist locations, and can also be used for withdrawing local currency from an ATM. Please note that credit cards are usually checked by phone. If no connection is made to the terminal, cash must be used. Travelers should therefore always have cash in reserve.
Language: Arabic is the official language, but many speak English. Outside the tourist areas, English is less prevalent. Jordanians are generally very hospitable and nice to foreigners.
Clothing: On the street and other public places it is recommended to dress in a way that covers shoulders, knees and navel. This is especially true during Ramadan.
Transportation: You need an international driver’s license to drive a car in Jordan. Public transport varies both in terms of standard and punctuality. In Amman it is easy and cheap to take a taxi, and the law requires the driver to use a taximeter. Taxi can also be booked through the Uber and Careem mobile applications. For domestic transport you can rent a car with/ without a driver. Some routes also have good bus connections, such as Amman-Aqaba and Amman-Petra.
National holidays: 1 January, 1 May and 25 May (National Day). In addition, Muslim holidays that follow the lunar calendar come and each year approx. eleven days. This includes Muslim New Year, Ashura, Maulid al-Nabi, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr and al-Isra wa al-Mi’raj. Please note that during Ramadan there are limited opening hours.
Ordinary work week for Jordanians is 8 am to 3 pm Sunday to Thursday. Banks are usually open from 08:30 to 15:00, but are closed on Friday and Saturday. Many shops are closed on Fridays. Some shops are also closed on Sundays.