Amman: Minister of Investment, Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, announced that recent amendments to Jordan's citizenship- and residency-by-investment program represent a strategic move to attract higher-value investments that deliver tangible economic benefits, create jobs, and promote balanced development across the nation.
According to Jordan News Agency, Abu Ghazaleh highlighted on Jordan Television's 60 Minutes program that the revised regulations aim to enhance the program's economic impact by increasing investment requirements for citizenship applicants through the Amman Stock Exchange. Additionally, the amendments introduce incentives to channel investments toward governorates and priority national sectors.
The focus of the program, he emphasized, should be on attracting productive investments, generating employment, and fostering sustainable economic growth throughout Jordan, rather than merely on the number of citizenships or residencies granted.
Since its inception in 2018, the program has garnered over JD1.15 billion in investments, benefiting 685 investors and creating over 21,000 jobs for Jordanians by mid-2026. Abu Ghazaleh noted a significant acceleration in the program's economic impact during the first half of 2026, with investments surpassing JD72 million, nearly doubling from the JD37 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
The employment generated by projects under the program also saw a notable increase, rising from 230 jobs in the first half of 2025 to 820 jobs in the same period of 2026, highlighting the growing contribution of these investments to job creation and economic activity.
The latest amendments aim to build on these successes by attracting investments with greater added value, creating more sustainable employment opportunities, and supporting balanced development across all regions.
Addressing regional development, Abu Ghazaleh stated that balanced growth is a key objective of the amendments, which intend to direct a larger share of investments outside the capital. The new regulations lower the residency requirement through real estate investment to JD150,000 for properties outside Amman Governorate, compared to the previous JD200,000 threshold applicable nationwide.
This measure aims to stimulate the real estate sector, boost local economies, increase demand for related services, create jobs, and enhance the governorates' ability to attract new investments, thereby fostering nationwide economic development.
Regarding Amman Stock Exchange investments, Abu Ghazaleh mentioned that the amendments raise the minimum investment threshold from JD1 million to JD1.5 million, maximizing the economic value and strengthening the contribution of this investment track to the national economy and capital market.
The revised framework also introduces safeguards to reduce market concentration and speculative trading while promoting long-term investment. Investors can now purchase shares through any licensed brokerage firm, broadening investment channels while maintaining market stability and integrity.
Abu Ghazaleh concluded that the overarching aim 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 provide lasting value to Jordan's economy.