Jordan (JO)

Metered taxis frequently overcharge tourists and new arrivals

Standard yellow metered taxis in Amman commonly overcharge new arrivals. Taxi meters exist but drivers frequently claim the meter is broken or negotiate a price much higher than fair. The Amman city taxi rate is JD 0.25/km with a JD 0.25 flag fall — most journeys should cost JD 2–6.

⚡ Overpaying JD 5–20 per trip. In extreme cases, drivers take passengers to the wrong destination to increase the fare.

✅ Use Careem or Uber for all journeys — fixed price, tracked, and no negotiation needed. If you must use a metered taxi, insist on the meter before entering. Agree a maximum price upfront for trips outside the city. Careem is typically 20–40% cheaper than a metered taxi.

Fake apartment listings on OpenSooq are a common scam

Scammers post professional-looking apartment listings with photos stolen from real properties at below-market prices. They ask for a deposit via Western Union, crypto, or bank transfer before allowing a viewing, then disappear.

⚡ Loss of JD 500–2,000 deposit. Identity risk if you shared ID copies.

✅ Never pay any money before viewing an apartment in person. Always meet the landlord face-to-face and verify they own or manage the property. Ask for the title deed (Kushan) number and verify it with the Department of Lands and Survey. Prefer listings with verified reviews or through estate agents.

Post-dated cheque system for rent — understand before signing

Most Jordanian landlords require 3–12 months of rent paid via post-dated cheques. In Jordan, bouncing a cheque is a criminal offence — the landlord can file a criminal complaint that results in your arrest. This is not just a civil debt matter.

⚡ Arrest and criminal prosecution if a post-dated cheque bounces. Fine. Potential travel ban.

✅ Only write post-dated cheques if you are completely certain funds will be available on each date. Keep track of all outstanding cheques. Negotiate monthly bank transfer payments instead of cheques where possible — some landlords accept this. Never write a cheque for an amount you cannot cover.

Gemstone and antique market scams targeting tourists

Amman's tourist areas (especially near the Citadel and downtown) have gem shops and antique dealers who approach tourists with friendly conversation, then sell them "rare" Dead Sea stones, "ancient" artefacts, or gemstones at 10–50x market value using social pressure and false appraisals.

⚡ Loss of JD 50–500+. Exported items may be confiscated if declared as antiques at customs.

✅ Never buy gemstones, "ancient" artefacts, or Dead Sea minerals from street vendors or aggressive shopkeepers. Archaeological artefacts cannot legally be exported from Jordan. Genuine souvenir shops in Abdoun, Waibdeh, and certified craft centres (Artisana) are safe alternatives.

Unofficial Petra "guides" offering cheaper tours are often unreliable

At Petra, unofficial guides and Bedouin horsemen frequently approach visitors with offers of cheaper horse rides, "private" access, or off-trail experiences. Some are knowledgeable locals; others take visitors off-trail (dangerous), overcharge, or use aggressive sales tactics.

⚡ Overcharging. Physical danger on unofficial trails. Equipment hire disputes. Aggressive behaviour when tips are declined.

✅ Book guides through Petra's official visitor centre or licensed tour operators. The Jordan Pass (USD 70–80 for multiple entries) includes the Petra entry fee — buy online before arrival. Decline unsolicited guide offers firmly but politely.

Changing employers requires cancelling and re-applying for work permit and Iqama

Your work permit in Jordan is tied to a specific employer. If you change jobs, your previous employer must formally cancel your work permit and Iqama sponsorship, and your new employer must apply for a completely new work permit before you can start. Working for a new employer on a permit from the old one is illegal.

⚡ Illegal employment status. Fine. Potential deportation. Gap period with no valid Iqama (JD 1.50/day overstay fine).

✅ Before resigning, confirm with your new employer that they will start the work permit application immediately. Plan for a 2–6 week gap in which you will be on a visitor entry stamp (re-enter Jordan or stay on the grace period). Get written confirmation from your old employer of Iqama cancellation.

Conservative dress code expected in public — especially for women

While Amman is relatively liberal compared to Gulf countries, conservative dress is expected in all public areas except hotel pools and Western-style venues. Women wearing revealing clothing in traditional areas (downtown, mosques, Al-Balad) attract unwanted attention and harassment.

⚡ Unwanted attention, harassment, or entry refusal at religious sites.

✅ Keep shoulders and knees covered in public, especially when visiting mosques, souks, and lower Amman. Swimwear is appropriate only at hotel pools and Dead Sea resorts. In Abdoun and Sweifieh (expat areas) dress standards are more relaxed. Keep a scarf or light wrap in your bag for mosque visits.

Jordan has chronic water shortages — water is rationed in most areas

Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. In most residential areas, tap water is supplied only 1–2 days per week from the municipal network. Buildings use large rooftop tanks (Khazzaan) that store water between supply days. Running out of stored water mid-week is a real possibility if you are not careful.

⚡ Running out of water for 3–5 days until the next municipal supply. Hygiene and cooking issues.

✅ Monitor your rooftop tank level regularly. Find out your building's water supply day (ask your landlord or building manager). Reduce consumption significantly on days before supply. Do not run dishwashers, washing machines, or long showers unless you know the tank is full. Keep a 5-litre drinking water supply as a backup.

Jordan is predominantly a cash society for everyday transactions

Despite improving card acceptance in Amman's malls and supermarkets, many restaurants, taxis, small shops, markets, and service providers in Jordan only accept cash. In less central areas and outside Amman, cash is almost exclusively required.

⚡ Left without a way to pay in common situations. Taxis, souks, local restaurants: cash only.

✅ Always carry JD 20–50 in cash. Withdraw from Arab Bank, Housing Bank, or Cairo Amman Bank ATMs — they reliably accept foreign Visa/Mastercard. ATM fees for foreign cards: JD 1–3 per transaction. Inform your home bank of your travel to Jordan to avoid blocks.

Property buying transaction costs of 5–8% are easy to overlook

Buying property in Jordan involves significant transaction costs beyond the purchase price: 4% property transfer tax (buyer), 0.3% registration fee, legal fees JD 500–1,500, and agent commission (typically 2%). For a JD 200,000 property, budget an additional JD 10,000–16,000 for transaction costs.

⚡ Insufficient budget to complete the transaction. Risk of losing deposits.

✅ Budget 6–9% of the property price for total transaction costs before committing. For the JD 200,000 investor residence threshold, ensure the property price alone meets the threshold — transaction costs do not count toward the JD 200,000.

Flash floods in wadis and valleys can be sudden and fatal

Jordan's landscape includes many valleys (wadis) that are prone to sudden flash flooding during rain, which can occur even when the sky above you is clear. Wadi Mujib, Wadi Rum gorges, and Dana Nature Reserve are high-risk areas. Several deaths occur each year among hikers caught in sudden floods.

⚡ Death or serious injury. Rescue operations can take hours in remote areas.

✅ Check the Jordan Meteorological Department forecast before any wadi hiking. Never enter a wadi or narrow canyon when rain is forecast anywhere in the upstream catchment area — not just at your location. Hire a licensed guide for remote wadi hikes. If water begins rising, immediately move to high ground — do not wait.

Employment contract fraud and recruitment scams target expat workers

Recruitment fraudsters advertise non-existent jobs (especially in Gulf-style hospitality or construction), collect application fees or visa fees, then disappear. Others present one employment contract in the home country and substitute a different (worse) contract on arrival in Jordan.

⚡ Loss of recruitment fees. Arriving in Jordan with no real job and no money. In extreme cases: debt bondage.

✅ Never pay a recruitment fee — legitimate employers pay recruiters, not candidates. Verify employer existence via the Jordan Chamber of Commerce. Read the contract in Jordan in your own language before signing — you are entitled to this. If the contract has changed from what you agreed, leave immediately and contact your embassy.

Importing pets requires RNATT certificate and vet health check — allow 4+ weeks

Importing cats or dogs into Jordan requires: an ISO 11784/11785 microchip; a rabies vaccination not less than 21 days and not more than 12 months before travel; a health certificate issued by an accredited vet and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture in your origin country; and a RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) result of ≥0.5 IU/ml for animals from high-rabies-risk countries. The Jordan Ministry of Agriculture (moa.gov.jo) must approve imports in advance. Pets from OIE-recognised rabies-free countries may have simplified entry requirements.

⚡ Rejection at the border, mandatory quarantine at your expense (JD 30–80/day), or permanent re-export of your pet. Non-compliant animals may be seized.

📅 Deadline: RNATT blood test must be taken at least 30 days before travel

✅ Contact the Jordan Ministry of Agriculture (moa.gov.jo) and your country's Jordanian embassy for current requirements at least 2 months before travel. Get RNATT blood test done at an EU-approved laboratory. Ensure all documents are originals — copies are not accepted at border control.

Non-Jordanian driving licences must be exchanged within 90 days of obtaining residency

Once you hold a valid Jordanian residency permit (iqama), you must exchange your foreign driving licence for a Jordanian licence within 90 days. The exchange is handled by the Motor Vehicles Directorate / Jordan Traffic Institute (jti.gov.jo) without a driving test for licences from most countries (EU, GCC, US, UK, Australia, Canada — country list varies). Driving with a foreign licence after 90 days of residency is technically illegal and can void your car insurance in the event of an accident.

⚡ Insurance voided in accidents. Fines for driving with an unrecognised licence. Complications with employer-required driving and car rental.

📅 Deadline: Within 90 days of obtaining iqama

✅ Visit the Motor Vehicles Directorate at jti.gov.jo as soon as your iqama is issued. Bring: original foreign licence, iqama, passport, passport photo, blood type certificate (obtainable at any hospital), and JD 25–50 fee. The exchange is typically completed same-day. Check jti.gov.jo for any country-specific requirements.