Gov't Approves New Citizenship, Residency Incentives For Investors, Advances Green Hydrogen, Healthcare Reforms

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 2 (Petra) – The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a broad package of economic, investment, and regulatory reforms, including an updated framework for granting citizenship and residency to investors, new mechanisms for green hydrogen development, and a series of health and tax-related measures.
The decisions, taken during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, are part of Jordan's ongoing efforts to attract foreign capital, boost job creation, and align policy with the country's Economic Modernization Vision.
Citizenship Through Investment
Under the revised criteria, Jordanian citizenship will be granted to investors who inject at least JD1 million in new capital through the purchase of shares in Jordanian companies. The shares must be unencumbered free of liens, loans, or mortgages and acquired within four months of approval from the Ministry of Investment. No more than 20% of the investment may be concentrated in a single company, and the investor must retain the shares and any related proceeds for three years.
Citizenship is also available to investors who establish new projects in productive sectors with a paid-in capital of at least JD700,000 in Amman or JD500,000 elsewhere, provided the projects create 20 jobs for Jordanians in the capital or 10 outside it. A grace period of four months is granted to meet employment targets, after which the investor receives a three-year temporary passport. Full citizenship may be recommended upon sustained compliance.
A third route applies to those purchasing equity in existing projects with a capital injection of at least JD1 million and new fixed assets worth at least JD500,000. Investors must submit a feasibility study and audited financials, create 20 new jobs, and hold the new shares for three years to qualify.
Existing investors may qualify if their average equity share in fixed assets over the past three years totals at least JD700,000 in Amman or JD350,000 elsewhere, with at least 90% of the required employment maintained monthly. Employment across multiple projects can be combined for eligibility.
First-degree family members inheriting or receiving shares may also qualify for citizenship, provided the original investor's stake remains unchanged for three years. Investors meeting all other conditions but still within the three-year holding period may receive a temporary passport for the remaining duration.
Citizenship may also be granted to investors in the pharmaceutical warehousing, medical equipment, and large-scale food logistics sectors, with capital of at least JD3 million and 20 Jordanian pharmacists employed in Amman or 10 elsewhere over three years.
An additional pathway is available to those employing 150 Jordanians in Amman or 100 in other governorates for at least one year prior to application, with employment levels sustained for two consecutive years after receiving citizenship.
Spouses, unmarried daughters, dependent sons under 24, dependent parents, and if the investment exceeds JD2 million unmarried sons under 30 and their families may also be granted citizenship, subject to eligibility.
To ensure integrity, citizenship will not be granted to individuals who acquire shares from a previous investor who was granted citizenship for those same shares. A cap of 500 investors per year will be applied, subject to security clearance and financial due diligence. Any violation of the terms may result in the revocation of citizenship or residency. The policy will be reviewed every six months.
Residency Through Real Estate Investment
The Cabinet also approved long-term residency for investors and non-investors who purchase property worth at least JD200,000 from licensed developers, based on valuations from the Department of Lands and Survey. Residency will be granted for five years, renewable, provided the property is held unencumbered for the full period. Renewals require ownership of the same or a similarly valued property, pending review by a technical committee and final approval by the Interior Ministry's investment window.
Green Hydrogen Framework Adopted
The government approved the national framework and implementation mechanism for developing green hydrogen projects, tasking relevant ministries and authorities with constructing and financing shared infrastructure in Aqaba following binding agreements with developers. The Ministries of Energy, Investment, and Finance will review the incentives currently applied within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone for potential extension to projects outside the zone, with recommendations to be submitted to the Cabinet.
This initiative aligns with Jordan's energy diversification strategy and its broader goals to attract sustainable investment and position the Kingdom as a regional clean energy hub.
Economic Relief and Industrial Protection
The Cabinet approved a decision by the Development and Employment Fund's board to grant additional time to borrowers under the group self-employment program launched in 2016 and early 2017. This will allow the separation and rescheduling of loan obligations for borrowers not covered by previous relief decisions.
To support domestic industry and reduce reliance on imports, the Cabinet approved a draft regulation to impose customs service fees on imported asphalt rolls, similar to existing levies on mineral and petroleum-based oils. The measure aims to level the playing field for local manufacturers producing similar products and protect the trade balance.
Tax Settlements
In a move to ease burdens on taxpayers and stimulate economic activity, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 858 outstanding cases between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department, continuing the government's efforts to improve the business climate and support compliance.
Tourism and Infrastructure Development
To boost tourism infrastructure, the Cabinet allocated funding for a new access road to the eco-lodge in Yarmouk Forest Reserve in Bani Kinanah District, Irbid Governorate. The decision follows Prime Ministerial visits to governorates and is aimed at enhancing the appeal of eco-tourism sites and supporting investment in rural areas.
Health Sector Reform and Licensing
In line with the Economic Modernization Vision's "quality of life" pillar, the Cabinet endorsed a set of health-related regulations:
- The 2025 Anesthesiology Practice Regulation, governing licensing, practice conditions, and professional responsibilities.
- The 2025 Respiratory Therapy Practice Regulation, providing a legal framework for licensing and regulating the profession, now recognized as part of the health sector.
- The 2025 Nutrition Practice Amendment Regulation, which sets updated requirements for licensed nutrition centers and aims to improve service quality while easing regulatory burdens.
- The 2025 Birth and Death Surveillance Regulation, which mandates nationwide digital registration and monitoring of maternal, neonatal, and fetal mortality, based on international standards and best practices.
International Cooperation and Grants
The Cabinet approved a €5.5 million cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation to improve access to non-communicable disease care in Zarqa Governorate. The four-year grant will fund the rehabilitation of health centers, procurement of medical and IT equipment, and support public health awareness campaigns.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a second additional financing agreement worth $7.5 million with the World Bank to support the Jordan Reform Management Project. The funding will help strengthen implementation of economic and structural reforms, improve the national investment registry, and enhance the public-private partnership framework.

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