New Entry Rule
Jordan's Ministry of Interior issued a set of decisions on 29 April 2026 that exempt several categories of Syrians from the prior-approval requirement for entering the kingdom. The new procedure was made public on 6 May 2026 by the deputy head of the Damascus Countryside Chamber of Commerce, who outlined the change in a public post.
The announcement detailed which Syrian travelers can now enter Jordan without going through the previous prior-approval channel, and which credentials qualify them.
Top-Tier Chamber Members
The most prominent group covered by the exemption is Syrian businesspeople and investors who hold excellent or first class membership cards from the Syrian chambers of commerce and industry. These travelers can now enter Jordan without first obtaining the prior approval that the previous regime required.
Both card tiers identify senior chamber members, so the change applies to a narrowly defined group of Syrian travelers rather than the broader Syrian public.
Other Eligible Categories
The exemption also extends to holders of valid commercial registrations and professional licenses. It includes Syrian property owners whose property is valued above 50,000 Jordanian dinars (JOD), as well as recipients of pension payments. Each of these categories is listed in the Ministry of Interior's set of decisions, and each sets a distinct credential as the route into the new channel.
Stated Aim
The chamber statement describes the new rule as a step to promote investment movement and commercial exchange between Syria and Jordan. The framing places business and investor mobility at the center of the change rather than tourism or general travel. Eased entry for senior chamber members is treated as the practical lever for that aim.
Sectors Expected to Benefit
Five sectors are named as the most likely beneficiaries of the eased entry: food, agriculture, banking, logistics and shipping, and textiles. Syrians who do not fall into one of the listed categories continue to apply through the existing prior-approval channel, which the new decisions leave in place for everyone outside the named groups.