Jordan Pass

What Is the Jordan Pass?

The Jordan Pass is an official tourism package created by Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. It bundles two distinct benefits into a single digital ticket, delivered as a PDF with a QR code:

• Prepaid, single-entry admission to more than 40 tourist sites and museums, including Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, the Amman Citadel, Karak Castle, Shobak Castle, Ajloun Castle, Umm Qays, the Roman Theatre in Amman, and Qasr Al-Azraq.
• A waiver of the standard 40 JOD tourist visa fee, available to eligible travelers who purchase the pass before arriving in Jordan and meet a minimum-stay requirement.

You can only purchase the Jordan Pass through the official website, jordanpass.jo. It isn't available on arrival or through a physical office, so be wary of any third-party site claiming otherwise.

Is the Jordan Pass a Visa?

No. This is worth stating plainly, because it's a common point of confusion: the Jordan Pass is not a visa. The official Jordan Pass FAQ addresses this directly: it only waives the visa fee for travelers who meet the eligibility requirements. You'll still go through the standard visa-on-arrival process at the border — the pass simply means you won't pay the fee if you qualify.

Travelers from restricted nationalities can't use visa-on-arrival at all, with or without a Jordan Pass, and need to arrange a visa in advance through the Jordanian Ministry of Interior.

The Minimum-Stay Requirement for the Visa Fee Waiver

This is the single most important eligibility detail, and it's worth getting right. According to the official jordanpass.jo FAQ, the visa fee waiver requires a minimum of 2 whole nights (3 days) in Jordan. This wording is repeated consistently across the official FAQ and the official Prices/Packages page.

A word on the phrasing, since "nights" versus "days" trips up a lot of travelers: "2 nights (3 days)" describes a stay spanning three calendar days with two overnight stays in between — for example, arriving on Day 1, staying overnight twice, and departing on Day 3.

You may come across other travel guides describing this as "3 nights" instead. Given that two separate official pages consistently state "2 nights (3 days)," that's the figure to work from — but because visa policy can shift, it's worth confirming the current wording directly on jordanpass.jo before you travel.

Jordan Pass Packages and Pricing

There are three package tiers, distinguished only by how many consecutive days of Petra entry are included:

All three tiers include the same additional benefits: free entry to the 40+ non-Petra attractions, free downloadable digital brochures, and — if you meet the eligibility rules — the visa fee waiver. Passes can't be upgraded or downgraded after purchase, so decide on your Petra plans before you buy.

You can also add entry to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a UNESCO-listed baptism site, for 8 JOD during checkout, versus 12 JOD if purchased standalone.

Is the Jordan Pass Worth It?

For most eligible travelers, yes. Consider the math: a single-day Petra ticket alone typically runs around 50 JOD, and the standalone visa fee is 40 JOD. Paying separately for both comes to roughly 90 JOD. The Jordan Wanderer pass covers the same Petra access plus the visa fee waiver plus free entry to dozens of additional sites — for 70 JOD.

The value only improves if your itinerary includes other included attractions like Jerash, Wadi Rum, or the Amman Citadel, since those are covered at no extra cost.

Who Can Use the Jordan Pass

Arab Nationality Holders

The official FAQ states plainly that the Jordan Pass isn't available for Arab nationality holders. It's designed for non-Arab international tourists.

Visa-Fee-Exempt Nationalities

Some nationalities are exempt from the visa fee entirely, whether or not they hold a Jordan Pass. Per the official FAQ, this currently includes South Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Vatican City.

Restricted Nationalities

Jordan's Ministry of Interior maintains a list of restricted nationalities that cannot obtain a visa on arrival under any circumstances — Jordan Pass or not. Travelers from these countries need to apply for a visa in advance through a Jordanian embassy or consulate. Since this list can change, check the current version directly on visitjordan.com before you finalize your trip.

Where Visa-on-Arrival and the Waiver Apply

Queen Alia International Airport

Amman's main international airport issues visas on arrival to eligible, non-restricted nationalities.

Aqaba Airport

Non-restricted nationalities don't need a visa at all to enter through Aqaba Airport. Restricted nationalities still need to arrange a visa in advance.

Wadi Araba Border

This crossing has a distinctive rule worth knowing about. It issues visas on arrival only to Jordan Pass holders who are otherwise eligible. But here's the interesting part: if you enter and exit Jordan via Wadi Araba and stay at least 2 nights, your visa fee is automatically waived at this border — even without a Jordan Pass at all. If you're only after the visa-fee benefit and plan to cross here, you may not need to buy a pass at all (though you'd still need one for the attraction-entry benefits). Generally, you'll need to exit through the same border to retain this treatment.

Sheikh Hussein Bridge (Jordan River Border)

Like Queen Alia, this crossing issues visas on arrival to eligible, non-restricted nationalities.

Visa Cost, Validity, and Extensions

For context: the standard single-entry tourist visa fee without a Jordan Pass is 40 JOD (roughly $60 USD, though this is an approximate conversion). The visa is valid for one month from the date of entry, and the Jordan Pass only waives the fee for a single-entry visa — it doesn't apply to multiple-entry visas.

If you need to extend your stay, the official FAQ outlines two options: paying 3 JOD per day at the airport for each day beyond the one-month validity, or paying 40 JOD at a police station for a 2-month extension arranged in advance.

You don't need to proactively prove your length of stay to get the fee waived — immigration checks this automatically when you leave, and travelers who didn't meet the minimum stay are redirected to pay the fee before departing.

How to Buy and Use Your Jordan Pass

When to Buy

Buy directly through jordanpass.jo using a credit card. Your pass and QR code arrive by email, typically within minutes (check your spam folder if it doesn't show up). Given the pass's validity window, a good rule of thumb is to purchase roughly 4 to 9 days before you arrive — enough buffer to resolve any technical issues without cutting into your active-use period.

Bringing a Printed Copy

Print your Jordan Pass in addition to keeping a digital copy. QR scanners at the visa desk and at tourist sites can sometimes struggle to read phone screens, and a printed copy avoids that headache entirely.

At the Airport: Visa Desk Then Passport Control

Head to the visa desk first and present your Jordan Pass so the officer can verify it and issue your visa, then proceed to passport control for your entry stamp. Going straight to passport control first can create complications.

Pass Validity and Activation

According to the official FAQ, the Jordan Pass is valid for use within 3 months of your purchase date. Once you scan it at your first attraction, it stays active for 1 month (30 days) from that point.

You may see other sources describe this differently — one independent guide states a 12-month validity with 14 days of active use. Given that the official FAQ is clear and consistent on the 3-month/30-day figures, treat that as the reliable version, but it's worth double-checking against the live official FAQ before you buy, since these details can change.

What's Included and What's Not

Attractions Covered

Your pass covers single entry to each of the 40+ listed attractions, with the full list maintained on the official site. Petra entry allows multiple consecutive days only for Explorer and Expert package holders — repeat entry to other, non-Petra sites isn't permitted.

Petra by Night

Petra by Night, a separate evening program, is not included in any package tier. It's purchased separately, on-site, so budget for it independently if it's on your itinerary.

Ground Transportation and Exit Fees

The Jordan Pass doesn't cover ground transportation within Jordan. If you're departing overland at a land border, note that a modest exit fee may apply (this typically doesn't affect travelers departing by air, since it's usually built into the ticket price).

Children and the Jordan Pass

Children under 12 generally get free entry to tourist sites when accompanied by a paying adult, and don't need their own Jordan Pass for site access. They do, however, need their own visa — the standard fee applies to them individually unless the same waiver rules that apply to adults also cover their situation.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you run into issues purchasing your pass, the official FAQ suggests trying a different browser (Firefox or Opera are specifically mentioned) or device, making sure cookies and JavaScript are enabled, or contacting your card-issuing bank if a security check may have failed. Trying a different card can also help.

If something goes wrong with your pass once you're in Jordan, Tourism Police can be reached at 117777. For general inquiries, contact <info@jordanpass.jo>.

Frequently Asked Questions