IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Officials have waived work permit requirements for non-citizen children of Jordanian mothers.

What does the change mean? Those holding cards identifying them as children of Jordanian mothers are no longer required to obtain work authorization in Jordan.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing. The change took effect earlier this year.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
  • Who is affected: Non-citizen children of Jordanian mothers working in Jordan.
  • Business impact: Employers can now hire non-citizen children of Jordanian mothers without needing to obtain work authorization.

Background: In Jordan, citizenship does not pass through the mother. This means that children of a non-Jordanian father are not citizens even if their mother is a Jordanian citizen. Up until now, these children were required to obtain work permits to work on local contracts. This changed earlier this year, however, with the publication of an amendment to the Jordanian labor regulations in May.

Analysis & Comments: Non-citizen children of Jordanian mothers can now work in Jordan without obtaining work authorization. They will not be required to cancel or deregister previously issued work permits. Employers are encouraged to keep copies of ID cards identifying workers as children of Jordanian mothers on file as evidence of compliance with labor regulations.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Jordan has eased its policy toward certain restricted nationals who normally require a visa before traveling to Jordan, according to a government circular released by Royal Jordanian Airlines.

What does the change mean? The following restricted nationals are now eligible to apply for a visa upon arrival in Jordan: Arab nationals holding a residence permit in a nonrestricted country (except Turkey) and non-Arab restricted nationals who hold a valid residence permit in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States or any Gulf Cooperation Council country. Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria, the Philippines and holders of foreign travel documents must continue to apply for a visa before travel – even if they hold a residence permit in one of the designated countries.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas upon arrival.
  • Who is affected: Arab nationals legally residing in a nonrestricted country; non-Arab restricted nationals holding a valid residence permit in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the U.K., the U.S. or a GCC member country. See the exclusions above.
  • Impact on processing times: Travelers who are eligible for visas on arrival will not need to apply for visas before travel.
  • Business impact: Eligible travelers will save time and be able to travel to Jordan on short notice without needing to apply for a visa.
  • Next steps: Eligible travelers must hold a foreign residence permit in the designated country that is valid for at least six months as of the date of arrival in Jordan and must hold a return ticket.

Background: Jordan lists 59 countries whose nationals are “restricted” and require a visa from an overseas mission before traveling.

BAL Analysis: The easing of visas for restricted nationals who are legally residing in designated countries will facilitate business travel, but travelers should be aware that border control agents may, at their discretion, ask to see a return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay in Jordan and proof of accommodations while in Jordan.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Jordan. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The fallout from the Qatari diplomatic crisis continued this week, as Jordan downgraded its diplomatic ties with Doha and the Philippines placed a limited ban on workers planning on traveling to the small Persian Gulf nation. Kuwait positioned itself as a possible broker between Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries leading the initiative. The crisis has impacted not just nationals, but also residents of countries involved in the dispute, as it is unclear whether travel restrictions will apply to them.

Key points:

  • Jordan said it would downgrade its diplomatic ties with Qatar. The move followed the decision Monday by Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to cut ties with Qatar. The Maldives and Mauritius have also cut ties. Jordan will maintain some relations with Qatar, but has imposed a ban on flights traveling to or arriving from Qatar. For the time being, it appears that Qatari nationals will be permitted to enter Jordan through a third country, provided that the third country has not separately imposed travel restrictions on Qatari nationals. The same is true for Jordanian nationals traveling to Qatar.
  • The Philippines moved to restrict Philippine workers from traveling to Qatar. The BBC and Reuters reported that a day after saying it would not send Overseas Filipino Workers to Qatar, however, the Philippines partially lifted its ban. The Philippines said that OFWs on contracts or who have obtained an overseas employment certificate will be able to travel to Qatar, but OFWs who have not yet been issued a certificate will be temporarily prevented from traveling to Qatar, according to reports.
  • Kuwait and Oman have maintained their relations with Qatar, and the two countries will likely play a key role as transit points for travel between Qatar and GCC countries. Kuwait has stepped in to try to mediate the diplomatic crisis, but so far there are no signs that tensions are easing. 
  • The diplomatic crisis has ensnared not just nationals of the countries involved, but also residence visa holders. Foreign nationals who hold residence visas in Qatar will likely have difficulty visiting countries – including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – that have imposed travel restrictions on Qatari nationals or that have closed their airspace to Qatari aircraft. The same is true of residence permit holders in countries whose nationals have been barred entry to Qatar. Permit holders in affected countries should check with BAL before traveling.

Background: As BAL reported Monday, the Gulf countries leading this initiative accuse Qatar of supporting terrorist groups including al-Qaeda and ISIS. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the accusations “baseless” and said the blockade had “no legitimate justification.” Qatar has maintained a rocky relationship with its GCC co-members for almost two decades, but the rift has widened in recent months over several issues. Qatar criticized the anti-Iran rhetoric following U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia; soon after, the UAE and other GCC countries cut access to media from Doha-based Al Jazeera.

BAL Analysis: The steps taken by Jordan and the Philippines in response to the diplomatic crisis show that its impact is being felt widely. Kuwait and other countries have taken steps toward resolving the situation, but so far tensions remain high. The situation is evolving and may change quickly. BAL is following developments and will alert clients to any additional changes or restrictions.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM 

What is the change? A new law in Jordan restricts the validity period for visas on arrival for nonrestricted nationals to 60 days. The visas were previously valid for up to 90 days.

What does the change mean? Anyone intending to stay in Jordan for longer than 60 days must obtain a three- or six-month visa at an embassy or consulate or leave and re-enter the country.

  • Implementation time frame:Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas on arrival.
  • Who is affected: Nonrestricted nationals traveling to Jordan on a visa on arrival.
  • Impact on processing times: Those who intend to stay in Jordan longer than 60 consecutive days must account for the time it takes to obtain a visa at an embassy or consulate.

Background: Jordan allows nonrestricted nationals to obtain visas at airports to enter the country for tourist, business, technical or professional activities. Nationals of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom and most European countries are among those eligible for visas issued at the airport. The visas are available for 40 dinars (about US$56). Under a new law, the validity period for a visa issued at the airport has been restricted to 60 days, rather than 90.

BAL Analysis: Travelers intending to stay in Jordan for longer than 60 days must obtain a three-month visa (available for 60 dinars) or six-month visa (120 dinars) at an embassy or consulate prior to travel. Contact your BAL professional with any questions about what types of activities are permitted on visas issued at the airport.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Jordan. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.