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
