Amman, July 17 (Petra)– Minister of Investment, Tareq Abu Ghazaleh,
said recent amendments to the country’s citizenship- and
residency-by-investment program mark a significant shift toward
attracting higher-quality investments that generate tangible economic
benefits, create jobs, and support balanced development across the
Kingdom.

Speaking on Jordan Television’s 60 Minutes program, Abu Ghazaleh said
the revised regulations strengthen the economic impact of the program
by raising investment requirements for applicants seeking citizenship
through the Amman Stock Exchange, while introducing stronger
incentives to direct investment toward the governorates and priority
national sectors.

He stressed that the success of the program should be measured not by
the number of citizenships or residencies granted, but by its ability
to attract productive investments, generate employment, and stimulate
sustainable economic growth throughout Jordan.

Since its launch in 2018, the citizenship-by-investment program has
attracted more than JD1.15 billion in investments, benefiting 685
investors and creating over 21,000 jobs for Jordanians by the end of
the first half of 2026, he said.

Abu Ghazaleh noted that the program’s economic impact accelerated
during the first half of 2026, with investment linked to the
initiative exceeding JD72 million, compared with approximately JD37
million during the same period in 2025 nearly doubling year-on-year.

Employment generated by projects under the program also increased
significantly, rising from 230 jobs in the first half of 2025 to 820
jobs during the same period in 2026, more than tripling and
underscoring the growing contribution of these investments to job
creation and economic activity.

He said the latest amendments are designed to build on these
achievements by attracting investments with greater added value,
creating more sustainable employment opportunities, and promoting
balanced development across all governorates.

Addressing the regional development component of the reforms, Abu
Ghazaleh said balanced development is a key objective of the
amendments, which seek to channel a larger share of investments
outside the capital.

Under the previous regulations, residency through real estate
investment required the purchase of property worth at least JD200,000
from a property developer, regardless of location. Under the new
rules, investors can obtain residency by purchasing property valued
at a minimum of JD150,000 if it is located outside Amman Governorate.

He said the measure aims not only to stimulate the real estate sector
but also to boost local economies, increase demand for related
services, create employment opportunities, and enhance the ability of
governorates to attract new investments, thereby promoting more
balanced economic development nationwide.

Regarding investments through the Amman Stock Exchange, Abu Ghazaleh
said the amendments raise the minimum investment threshold from JD1
million to JD1.5 million to maximize the economic value of
investments and strengthen the contribution of this investment track
to the national economy and capital market.

The revised framework also introduces new safeguards to reduce market
concentration and speculative trading while encouraging long-term
investment. In addition, investors are now allowed to purchase shares
through any duly licensed brokerage firm, broadening investment
channels while preserving market stability and integrity.

Abu Ghazaleh said the overarching objective of the amendments is to
maximize the economic value of the citizenship-by-investment program
by linking investment incentives to measurable economic outcomes and
attracting high-quality investments that add lasting value to
Jordan’s economy.

//Petra// MF