Jordan (JO)
Jordan is a stable, welcoming Hashemite Kingdom at the crossroads of the Middle East — home to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the legendary Wadi Rum desert, and the mineral-rich Dead Sea.
Capital: Amman
Region: Middle East
Language: Arabic
Currency: JOD (JD)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 39)
Emergency: 911
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Business Setup
Start a business or go freelance in Jordan.
🧑💻 Freelancer / Self-Employed Guide
Steps to register:
- 1 1. Determine if you have a valid work permit that covers freelance/self-employed activity — most standard work permits do NOT permit additional freelance work for other clients.
- 2 2. For authorised self-employment: register a sole proprietorship (Munshabat Fardiyyah) at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) and obtain a business licence from your local municipality.
- 3 3. Register with the Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) at istd.gov.jo to obtain a tax file number and GST registration (if turnover exceeds the annual threshold).
- 4 4. Open a business bank account (most banks require a registered trade name + licence).
- 5 5. Obtain a professional licence if working in a regulated field (engineering, medicine, law, accounting) through the relevant syndicate.
- 6 6. Pay quarterly estimated income tax instalments to the ISTD based on projected annual income.
- 7 7. File an annual income tax return by 30 April.
Tax registration
Register with ISTD (istd.gov.jo) for a tax file number. File an annual income tax return by 30 April. GST registration required if annual turnover exceeds JD 30,000 for services.
VAT threshold
JD 30,000 annual turnover for GST registration (services)
Invoicing
Invoices must include: registered trade name and tax file number, client name and address, invoice number (sequential), date, description of services and amounts, GST amount (if registered), total amount due, payment terms, and your bank account IBAN.
Social security
Voluntary SSC enrolment for self-employed: 17.5% of declared income. Provides pension, disability, and survivorship benefits. Strongly recommended for long-term Jordan-based self-employed individuals.
💡 Freelancers in Jordan typically register as a Sole Proprietorship (Munshabat Fardiyyah). ASEZ (Aqaba Special Economic Zone) offers a 5% flat tax rate for eligible businesses registered there.
🏢 Business Structures
Sole Proprietorship · Munshabat Fardiyyah (منشأة فردية)
Sole Trader
JD 1,000 (varies by activity)
Min. capital
2–4 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Unlimited personal liability
Setup cost: JD 200–600 (registration + licence fees)
Best for: Individual traders, small service businesses. Must be 100% owned by a Jordanian national unless operating in a free zone or specific liberalised sector.
LLC (With Limited Liability) · Sharika Dhat Mas'uliyya Mahduda (شركة ذات مسؤولية محدودة)
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
JD 1,000 (general); higher minimums apply in regulated sectors
Min. capital
3–6 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Limited to company assets
Setup cost: JD 500–1,500 (notary + Companies Control Department fees)
Best for: Most small and medium businesses. Requires a minimum of 2 and maximum of 50 shareholders. Foreign ownership up to 100% permitted in most sectors — verify current restrictions with the Jordan Investment Commission (JIC).
Public Shareholding Company · Sharika Musahama Aamma (شركة مساهمة عامة)
Public Limited Company (PLC)
JD 500,000 minimum paid-up capital
Min. capital
2–4 months
Setup time
Liability: Limited to company assets
Setup cost: JD 5,000–20,000+
Best for: Large companies planning to list on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) or raise significant public capital.
Branch Office of a Foreign Company · Maktab Fari (مكتب فرعي)
Foreign Branch
None (parent company capital applies)
Min. capital
4–8 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Parent company is fully liable
Setup cost: JD 500–2,000 (registration + annual licensing)
Best for: International companies wanting a legal presence in Jordan without creating a separate Jordanian entity. Common for NGOs and development organisations (with slightly different registration process via Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Free Zone Company · Sharika fi Mintiqa Hurra (شركة في منطقة حرة)
Free Zone Entity
Varies by free zone and activity
Min. capital
4–8 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Limited to company assets
Setup cost: JD 1,000–5,000+ (including free zone fees)
Best for: Export-oriented businesses, logistics, manufacturing. Key free zones: Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ, with 5% flat income tax), Zarqa Free Zone, Sahab Industrial Estate. 100% foreign ownership generally permitted.
Business Setup
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