Foreign Worker Status in Jordan: New September Rules and Deadline Explained
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The Arab Post
- . September 8, 2026
- . Update: September 8, 2026 2:37 pm
There is very little time left for expatriates wishing to legalise their employment. The government has introduced some important changes in terms of foreign worker status in Jordan with the strict deadline of 30 September approaching. This sweeping grace period began this summer and has provided unprecedented financial exemptions, transfer options for undocumented or expired permit holders. If you don’t meet the rules, however, you won’t be allowed to stay after October 1, 2026. In this article, every employer, expatriate, and interested party will learn about the new work permit requirements in Jordan and the steps to successfully regularize a work permit.
Understanding the 2026 Regularization Drive
The Ministry of Labor Jordan’s campaign, which started on June 15, 2026, seeks to systematically organize the local labor market. The order tells all employers that they must add all their non-Jordanian employees to their legal frameworks before a deadline that is approaching in September.
The working hours of a number of key labour directorates will be greatly extended to cope with the huge number of late applicants, Minister of Labor Nidal Qatamin said yesterday, in an attempt to remedy the situation. The offices in North, East and South Amman will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. from 12th – 30th September (in addition to the Domestic Workers Directorate in Abdali and the branches in Karak, Irbid, and Mafraq).
Key Financial Exemptions and Policy Changes
The government’s focus is on compliance, and this is why it has created the current rules surrounding Jordan work permits are very attractive for those willing to go the extra mile and regularize their immigration status.
Legal briefings by EIG Law indicate that those who seek to change their foreign worker status in Jordan in time will enjoy the following benefits:
- 50% Fee Reduction: A significant 50 per cent fee waiver on all the accumulated work permit fees from the past years.
- Zero Late Penalties: Waivers for late-payment penalties for permit renewals and transfer of permits.
- Overstay Waivers: Complete waiver of fines for overstay on the basis of the Residence and Foreigners Affairs Law, as long as the person’s status is rectified in a timely fashion.
The government has abolished all other work permit fees and social security penalties for workers wishing to depart the country “without return” and it will also allow them to collect their social security benefits straight from the country.
Transferring Between Economic Sectors
The new guidelines also provide much needed flexibility. The employers will no longer need to obtain a clearance certificate from the previous employer for non-Jordanian workers to be able to transfer from one economic sector to another when the workers’ last work permit expired or was canceled for an extended period. This also applies to absconded domestic workers for whom there was a previous notice of absence, but so long as the notice of absence is formally withdrawn. Note: The following special rules for transfers apply to certain professions that require special skills and to garment manufacturing industries (not qualified industrial zone).
The Consequences: Inspections and Deportations
The tolerance of the grace period is going to be cut off on October 1st. Comprehensive inspection campaigns, which will take place nationwide, will begin immediately across all sectors in a comprehensive and strict coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Public Security Directorate, said the Ministry of Labor Jordan.
The authorities already have 315 deportation orders for the first half of 2026 alone, according to updates from Jordan News. Those who lost permits to work in the country due to expiration of their permits for three months or more will be subjected to mandatory deportation process that will have no appeal option due to the expiration of the period at the end of September. Employees’ rights can be found directly on the Ministry of Labour’s official website.
FAQs – foreign worker status in Jordan
Q1: When is the final deadline to fix my foreign worker status in Jordan?
A: The very last deadline for you to regularize your status and take advantage of the fee exemptions is September 30, 2026.
Q2: What happens if I miss the September deadline?
A: Non-Jordanians whose permits expired more than three months ago and who do not regularize their status will be deported immediately starting October 1, 2026.
Q3: Does the fee reduction apply to domestic workers?
A: Yes, domestic workers fall under the new Jordan work permit regulations and are eligible for the 50% deduction on accumulated work permit fees and full waivers on overstay penalties.
Q4: Can I permanently leave Jordan without paying my accumulated fines?
A: Yes, provided that you register for “leaving for good” before the deadline. All your accumulated work permit fees and residency overstay penalties will be canceled.
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