Aqaba, Aug. 17 (Petra) — Investors in Aqaba can seize national
pathways for granting citizenship and residency upon meeting approved
requirements, which are independent from the Investment Environment
law, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Commissioner for
Economic Affairs and Investment Mohammad Abu Omar said on Monday.

He told Petra in an interview that a cabinet decision governing the
criteria for acquiring citizenship and residency allows eligible
investors in Aqaba to apply under relevant national programs, subject
to the conditions specified for each.

Aqaba’s investment incentives and national residency and citizenship
programs combined offer investors additional options without
replacing the incentives and benefits available in ASEZA, said Abu
Omar. The primary objective is to attract productive investments
capable of expanding and creating jobs, he said.

One citizenship pathway applies to launching a new productive
enterprise outside Amman with paid-up capital of at least JD500,000
and the required number of jobs, subject to approved conditions and
regulations, said Abu Omar.

The pathway, he clarified, involves purchasing new shares in an
existing project requires paid-up capital of at least JD1 million,
with investment in new fixed and non-current assets of no less than
JD500,000, while meeting employment requirements and retaining the
shares for three years.

Another pathway allows investors to qualify based on an existing
investment, provided their average share in eligible assets outside
the Capital Governorate is at least JD350,000 over the previous three
years. A separate employment-based pathway requires the employment of
100 Jordanians in the governorates, subject to Social Security and
business-continuity requirements, he explained.

He said a pathway designated for pharmaceutical warehouses and food
logistics services requires an investment of at least JD3 million, in
addition to providing the stipulated number of jobs, adding that
these activities are aligned with Aqaba’s plans to develop
pharmaceutical industries, logistics, and warehousing.

Abu Omar explained that the national program, as amended in 2026,
allows investors to obtain five-year residency through purchasing
property outside the Capital Governorate worth at least JD150,000 and
retaining ownership for five years, subject to specified conditions
and approvals.

He noted that Aqaba also offers incentives related to property
purchases, including first-time purchase of a residential property
directly from a real estate developer for at least JD150,000, as well
as vehicle-related customs incentives subject to approved ceilings
and conditions.

Abu Omar said the purchase of a residential property worth JD300,000
or more may allow the temporary entry of two vehicles, subject to the
applicable limits and conditions. Furniture for a residential
property worth at least JD150,000 may also receive a one-time
exemption from customs duties and fees, subject to residency
requirements. The incentives also include the one-time import of a
personal boat exempt from the 5 percent customs duty and 16 percent
sales tax, provided it is used solely for personal, non-commercial
purposes.

He pointed out that the combination of these programs and incentives
is intended to support Aqaba’s investment environment by providing
operational, regulatory, and property-related incentives, alongside
access to national residency and citizenship programs for investors
who meet requirements.

//Petra// AO