Amman, July 15 (Petra) — Jordan’s decision to amend its residency
and citizenship criteria for foreign investors is a strategic step
toward decentralizing capital and distributing economic benefits to
the country’s regions, economic and development analysts said.

The government’s decision to link citizenship to the scale and
location of investments aims to attract productive ventures that
foster sustainable development, generate employment, and encourage
the transfer of knowledge and expertise.

Analysts told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the changes
demonstrate Jordan’s commitment to enhancing its business environment
and drawing high-value investments to the national economy.

The amendments send a strong signal of confidence to local and
foreign investors that Jordan is pursuing serious economic reforms to
build a stable, welcoming investment climate, which in turn will
generate job opportunities for Jordanians.

This move marks a shift in Jordan’s investment philosophy, moving
away from a primary focus on capital accumulation toward linking
incentives directly to job creation, sustainability, and tangible
economic impact in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

Hani Abu Hassan, chairman of the Irbid Chamber of Industry, welcomed
the cabinet’s decision, describing it as a crucial step in boosting
Jordan’s capacity to attract quality investments that offer genuine
value.

“Linking citizenship to investment volume and job creation for
Jordanians proves that the objective is not just about bringing in
capital but attracting productive projects that drive sustainable
growth,” Abu Hassan said.

He noted that offering special incentives for the Amra City project
reflects a strategic push toward major developmental initiatives
capable of generating long-term economic benefits. These projects are
expected to stimulate the industrial sector, supply chains, and
auxiliary services.

Abu Hassan added that the success of these policies relies on
continuously improving business competitiveness and extending
incentives across all governorates to achieve balanced economic
development and elevate the private sector’s role in economic growth.

“We view these decisions as a message of confidence to both local and
foreign investors that Jordan is committed to serious economic
reforms and maintaining a stable, encouraging investment
environment,” he said.

Fares Hammoudeh, chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Industry, said the
revised rules will significantly upgrade the kingdom’s investment
ecosystem and make it more attractive to foreign investors,
particularly from Arab nations, while encouraging joint ventures with
local businesses.

Hammoudeh explained that the new framework requires investors to
inject capital directly into Jordanian companies and fund
partnerships with local firms through the Amman Stock Exchange,
without mortgaging, lending, or borrowing against these shares.

The new rules target investments in areas outside the capital, Amman,
ensuring sustainable employment for Jordanian youth and accelerating
the development of the new Amra City, which is expected to bring
substantial value to various productive sectors, Hammoudeh said. He
added that the changes provide investors with multiple pathways to
obtain citizenship, securing long-term foreign investment and
streamlining administrative processes.

Development expert Mohammad Al-Farajat said the amendments represent
a qualitative shift in Jordan’s investment strategy by tying
incentives to real economic impact, sustainability, and employment.

He noted that the policy goes beyond adjusting financial thresholds,
actively redirecting investment toward regional provinces and
productive sectors. By easing investment and hiring requirements
outside Amman, the decision aims to reshape the kingdom’s investment
map in a more equitable and balanced manner.

Al-Farajat emphasized that the policy’s significance lies in
fostering long-term commitment by discouraging short-term
speculation. By linking citizenship to the continuity of the
investment and job preservation over several years, the government
ensures that citizenship is a reward for genuine economic
contribution rather than transient capital. Furthermore,
consolidating investor services under the Ministry of Investment will
streamline procedures and boost efficiency, he said.

Looking ahead, Al-Farajat called for the creation of smart investment
maps for each governorate to identify high-priority opportunities
based on their competitive advantages. Tying these new incentives to
infrastructure, logistics, and vocational training will translate the
policy changes into productive enterprises, sustainable jobs, and
balanced regional growth, easing pressure on the capital.

Hussein Shreim, chairman of the Zarqa Chamber of Commerce, said the
success of directing investment to the provinces hinges on upgrading
regional infrastructure and logistics, enhancing the digital business
environment, and cutting bureaucratic red tape.

Shreim added that the strict requirements of the decision ensure that
foreign investments do not become shell entities, but instead deliver
tangible improvements to the lives of citizens across governorates,
noting that Jordanian citizenship remains a highly valued sovereign
and moral incentive.

//Petra// AF