Most international travelers to Jordan can get a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. The fee is 40 JOD. For the vast majority of visitors, the Jordan Pass — purchased before you travel — is the smarter option: it waives that fee and covers entry to Petra and 40+ other sites, saving most travelers 50 JOD or more on a standard week-long itinerary.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Jordan?
Most international visitors need a visa to enter Jordan, but obtaining one is straightforward. Citizens of over 120 countries can get a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and at most land border crossings. The fee is 40 JOD per person.
A small number of nationalities — primarily from GCC countries and some Arab neighbors — enter Jordan without visas. Check your specific passport against the official Jordanian Ministry of Interior list before booking.
Visa on Arrival — Who Qualifies and What It Costs
Citizens of over 120 countries qualify for a visa on arrival in Jordan. The list covers all EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most countries across South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
The standard visa on arrival is a single-entry visa valid for 30 days. The fee is 40 JOD, payable in cash at the airport. Carry Jordanian dinars or US dollars — not all border counters accept card payment. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry date, with at least two blank pages for stamps.
Visa on arrival is available at these entry points:
- Queen Alia International Airport, Amman (AMM)
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ)
- Sheik Hussein Bridge (Jordan River Crossing) — northern Israel border
- Wadi Araba / Eilat-Aqaba Crossing — southern Israel border
- Most land borders with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria (confirm current status before travel)
Important: The Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Bridge crossing from Israel requires a visa arranged in advance. A standard visa on arrival is not issued at this crossing without prior arrangement. See the Allenby Bridge section below.
Aqaba exception: Travelers entering through Aqaba via cruise ship or certain land routes may qualify for a free visa under the Aqaba Special Economic Zone rules. Confirm this with your tour operator before arrival.
What Is the Jordan Pass?
The Jordan Pass combines prepaid entry to more than 40 attractions across Jordan with a waiver of the tourist visa fee for eligible visitors who meet the minimum stay requirement. It comes in three options, based on the number of days included for Petra. Read the official Jordan Pass benefits and FAQs before choosing your pass.
The Jordan Pass is not a visa. It waives the visa fee, but you still enter Jordan and receive the standard 30-day single-entry stamp. At the border, present your Jordan Pass QR code and your passport.
What the Jordan Pass Includes
Every tier of the Jordan Pass covers:
- The 40 JOD tourist visa fee waiver (for stays of 3+ nights, purchased before arrival)
- Petra entry for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days depending on the tier
- Single-entry access to 40+ archaeological sites, museums, and nature reserves
- Amman Citadel, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Karak Castle, Ajloun Castle, Shobak Castle, Mount Nebo, Madaba mosaic church, Aqaba Fort, and dozens more
The Three Tiers
The only difference between the three Jordan Pass tiers is how many days you get at Petra. All other site inclusions are identical. The Jordan Pass costs 70 JOD for the Wanderer, 75 JOD for the Explorer, and 80 JOD for the Expert. Each option includes access to more than 40 attractions. The main difference is the number of consecutive days included at Petra. Check the official Jordan Pass prices before purchasing, as fees and conditions may change.
| Tier | Petra Access | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wanderer | 1 day | 70 JOD |
| Jordan Explorer | 2 consecutive days | 75 JOD |
| Jordan Expert | 3 consecutive days | 80 JOD |
For most first-time visitors, the Jordan Explorer (75 JOD, 2-day Petra) is the strongest choice. Two full days at Petra are the recommended minimum — it gives you the Treasury, the Monastery, and the Royal Tombs without rushing. The Explorer adds just 5 JOD over the Wanderer and delivers significantly more of the site.
The 3-Night Minimum Stay Rule
To receive the visa fee waiver, you must stay at least three nights in Jordan. If you leave before completing the minimum stay, the 40 JOD visa fee will be charged upon departure. The system automatically tracks your entry and exit dates.
To qualify for the Jordan Pass visa fee waiver, eligible travelers must purchase the pass before arriving in Jordan and stay for at least two whole nights (three days). Travelers who leave before meeting this requirement may need to pay the visa fee. Read the Jordan Pass terms and conditions to review the current rules and restrictions.
How to Buy the Jordan Pass
Purchase your Jordan Pass at jordanpass.jo — the official government website — before you arrive in Jordan. The pass cannot be purchased at any border crossing or at any site inside Jordan.
The buying process takes about five minutes. Enter your passport details, select your tier, and pay by credit card. The pass arrives by email as a QR code. Download the PDF to your phone and keep a screenshot as a backup.
The Jordan Pass is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase. Once you scan it at your first site inside Jordan, it remains active for one month from that first scan. Verify current validity terms at jordanpass.jo before you travel.
Is the Jordan Pass Worth It?
For any international visitor who plans to see Petra and stay at least three nights in Jordan, the Jordan Pass almost always saves money. The savings comparison for a typical 7-day itinerary:
| Without Jordan Pass | Jordan Wanderer (70 JOD) | Jordan Explorer (75 JOD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 40 JOD | Included | Included |
| Petra (1-day / 2-day) | 50 / 55 JOD | 1 day — included | 2 days — included |
| Jerash | 12 JOD | Included | Included |
| Wadi Rum entry | 5 JOD | Included | Included |
| Amman Citadel | 3 JOD | Included | Included |
| Ajloun Castle | 3 JOD | Included | Included |
| TOTAL | 113+ JOD | 70 JOD | 75 JOD |
| SAVING vs no pass | — | 43+ JOD | 60+ JOD |
On a typical 7-day Jordan itinerary covering Amman, Jerash, the King’s Highway, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, the Jordan Pass saves well over 50 JOD compared to paying each site individually.
Read more: Jordan itinerary
The Jordan Pass is less useful for travelers staying fewer than three nights (the visa waiver does not apply) and for nationals whose passports already qualify for visa-free entry to Jordan.
What Does the Jordan Pass Cover?
The Jordan Pass covers single entry to over 40 official sites across Jordan. Main inclusions for a typical Jordan itinerary:
- Petra — 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days depending on your tier
- Jerash — the Roman city, full site entry
- Wadi Rum Protected Area — standard entry (activities and camps are separate)
- Amman Citadel — full site entry
- Ajloun Castle — the Ayyubid fortress in northern Jordan
- Karak Castle — the Crusader castle on the King’s Highway
- Shobak Castle — Crusader fortress south of Petra
- Mount Nebo — the hilltop viewpoint overlooking the Jordan Valley
- Madaba Archaeological Park — the mosaic floor of St. George’s Church
- Aqaba Fort — the Ottoman fort at Jordan’s Red Sea port
The pass provides single entry to each site. You cannot re-enter a covered site after your visit, except for Petra if you hold the Explorer or Expert tier.
What Is NOT Covered by the Jordan Pass
- Petra by Night — 30 JOD per person, separate ticket; not included in any tier
- Dana Biosphere Reserve guided hikes — RSCN trail fees are paid separately
- Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve — gorge trail fees are paid separately to RSCN
- Aqaba Marine Park activities — snorkeling and diving fees are not covered
- Accommodation, Food, transport, and guide fees
- Temporary exhibitions at any covered site
If a site is closed for restoration or due to weather when you visit, the Jordan Pass cannot be transferred or applied to a future visit to that specific site.
How to Use the Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass can be used as a QR code on your phone or as a printed PDF. At each covered site, show your QR code to the gate staff. They scan it with a handheld reader, and your entry is logged. No separate ticket purchase is needed at any covered site.
Practical tips:
- Download the PDF before you leave home. Internet inside Petra and Wadi Rum is intermittent — you need offline access.
- Keep a screenshot of the QR code in your phone’s photo library as a backup.
- Carry a printed copy as a second backup for smaller sites where scanning equipment can be inconsistent.
- At Petra, tell gate staff which day you are visiting (Day 1, Day 2, etc.) if you hold the Explorer or Expert tier. Petra days must be used consecutively.
- At Wadi Rum, the Jordan Pass covers entry to the Protected Area at the Visitor Center. Jeep tours, camps, and activities are booked and paid separately.
- Do not scan your Jordan Pass at a site until you are genuinely ready to begin visiting. The active window starts from your first scan.
Entering Jordan From Israel — The Allenby Bridge Exception
The Allenby Bridge (King Hussein Bridge) is the main crossing between Israel and Jordan, 57 km west of Amman. It operates under different visa rules from every other Jordan entry point.
Standard visa on arrival is not issued at Allenby Bridge. Travelers entering Jordan at this crossing must have either a visa pre-arranged through a Jordanian embassy before travel, or a valid Jordan Pass.
For eligible nationalities, the Jordan Pass functions as entry authorization at Allenby Bridge. The gate staff scan your Jordan Pass QR code rather than issuing a separate visa sticker. If you hold a Jordan Pass and your nationality qualifies for a Jordanian visa on arrival, you can cross at Allenby Bridge using the pass.
If you do not hold a Jordan Pass and have not arranged a visa in advance, use the Sheik Hussein Bridge (northern crossing) or the Wadi Araba crossing (southern crossing). Both issue a standard visa on arrival.
Once inside Jordan, the Jordan Pass works the same way at all sites, regardless of which crossing you used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy the Jordan Pass before I arrive in Jordan?
Yes. The Jordan Pass must be purchased before you arrive in Jordan. It cannot be bought at any border crossing, airport counter, or site inside the country. Purchase it at jordanpass. jo using a credit or debit card. The visa fee waiver applies only if you purchase the pass before entering Jordan and stay for at least 3 nights.
Does the Jordan Pass include the visa for Jordan?
The Jordan Pass is not a visa. It waives the 40 JOD tourist visa fee for eligible nationalities who purchase the pass before arriving and stay a minimum of three nights in Jordan. You still enter on a standard 30-day single-entry visa — the pass simply means you do not pay the 40 JOD fee. Show your Jordan Pass QR code and your passport together at the entry point.
Which Jordan Pass tier should I buy?
The Jordan Explorer (75 JOD, 2-day Petra) is the best choice for most first-time visitors. Two days at Petra is the recommended minimum — it gives you the Treasury, the Monastery, the Royal Tombs, and the Byzantine Church without rushing. The Wanderer (70 JOD, 1-day Petra) works if your schedule is genuinely tight. The Expert (80 JOD, 3-day Petra) suits travelers who want a full, unhurried exploration of the entire site.
Can I use the Jordan Pass at Wadi Rum?
Yes. The Jordan Pass covers the standard entry fee to the Wadi Rum Protected Area, paid at the Visitor Center before you enter the desert. It does not cover Jeep tours, camel rides, overnight camps, hot-air balloon flights, or any other activity within the protected area. Those are booked and paid separately through your licensed Bedouin operator.
What happens if I stay fewer than three nights in Jordan with a Jordan Pass?
If you exit Jordan before completing three nights, the system will charge you the 40 JOD visa fee on departure. Immigration tracks your entry and exit dates automatically. The three-night threshold must be met on a single continuous entry into Jordan. If you are combining Jordan with Israel — crossing back and forth — plan your itinerary to ensure the minimum stay is completed before your final departure.
| All Peregrine Jordan Packages include the Jordan Pass, purchased, confirmed, and delivered to you before departure.
WhatsApp: +977 985 105 2413 Email: sales@peregrinetreks.com Web: www.peregrinetreks.com Response within 24 hours. All itineraries are customizable. |