Jordan Visa on Arrival at Queen Alia International Airport

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is the primary entry point for travelers obtaining a Jordan visa on arrival. Located 30 kilometers south of Amman, this modern airport processes thousands of visa-on-arrival transactions daily. The process is straightforward: pay the fee at the visa counter, receive your sticker, and proceed through immigration – typically within 10 to 30 minutes.

Queen Alia International Airport Overview

Queen Alia International Airport (IATA: AMM, ICAO: OJAI) is Jordan’s largest and busiest airport. It serves as the main hub for Royal Jordanian Airlines and handles over 9 million passengers annually. The airport has a single terminal building with modern facilities, including currency exchange offices, ATMs, restaurants, and duty-free shops.

The airport is located in Zizya, approximately 30 kilometers south of central Amman. Travelers can reach the city center by airport taxi (approximately 25-30 JOD), the Airport Express bus (3.30 JOD), or a pre-arranged hotel transfer. The drive takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to Get Your Visa on Arrival at the Airport

When you land at Queen Alia International Airport, follow the signs toward immigration. Before reaching the passport control booths, you will see the visa on arrival counter on the right side of the arrivals hall. This is where you purchase your entry visa.

The process follows a clear sequence:

1. Proceed to the visa counter – Look for the signs reading “Visa” or “Visa on Arrival” as you exit the jet bridge and enter the arrivals corridor
2. Pay the visa fee – The cashier collects payment and issues a visa sticker
3. Attach the sticker to your passport – Some travelers place it on an empty page themselves; in other cases, the cashier or an immigration officer will do this
4. Proceed to passport control – Join the immigration queue and present your passport with the visa sticker

The visa counter is staffed during all international arrival hours. During peak periods (early morning and late evening when most international flights arrive), expect short queues of 5-15 minutes.

Visa on Arrival Fees at Queen Alia Airport

The fees at Queen Alia International Airport are the same as at all Jordanian entry points:

Payment methods accepted at the airport:

• Jordanian Dinars (JOD) – preferred currency, exact change speeds up the process
• US Dollars (USD) – accepted at a fixed exchange rate
• Credit cards – Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the airport counters (not always available at land borders)
• Euros – sometimes accepted but at an unfavorable exchange rate

ATMs are available in the arrivals hall if you need to withdraw JOD before reaching the visa counter. The Arab Bank and Cairo Amman Bank ATMs dispense Jordanian Dinars and accept international cards.

Documents You Need at Airport Immigration

To obtain a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, prepare the following documents before landing:

• Valid passport – must have at least 6 months of remaining validity from your entry date and at least 1-2 blank pages for stamps
• Return or onward ticket – immigration officers may ask to see proof that you plan to leave Jordan within the visa validity period
• Accommodation details – hotel name and address, or a host’s contact information in Jordan
• Sufficient funds – while rarely checked, having a credit card or cash demonstrates you can support yourself during your stay

You do not need to fill out an arrival form at Queen Alia International Airport. The process is paperless – the immigration officer scans your passport, records your entry digitally, and stamps your passport with the entry date.

How Long Does the Airport Visa Process Take?

The total time from landing to exiting the airport depends on several factors:

During off-peak hours (midday arrivals on weekdays), the entire process can take as little as 15-20 minutes. During peak hours – early morning (5:00-8:00 AM) when overnight flights from Europe and the Gulf arrive, and late evening – expect 30-60 minutes.

Tip to save time: If you want to skip the visa counter queue entirely, apply for a Jordan eVisa online before your trip. With a pre-approved eVisa, you proceed directly to passport control without stopping at the visa payment counter.

Jordan Pass Holders at the Airport

If you purchased the Jordan Pass before arriving, the airport process is slightly different. The Jordan Pass (costing 70-80 JOD) includes your visa fee waiver, so you do not need to pay 40 JOD at the visa counter.

To use your Jordan Pass at Queen Alia Airport:

1. Show your Jordan Pass (printed or on your phone) at the visa counter
2. The officer verifies your pass and issues a free visa sticker
3. Proceed to passport control as normal

Important: The Jordan Pass requires a minimum stay of 3 consecutive nights in Jordan. If you leave before the third night, you may be charged the full visa fee upon departure. Learn more in our Jordan Pass guide.

Which Airlines Fly to Queen Alia International Airport?

Queen Alia International Airport is well-connected to major cities worldwide. Airlines operating direct flights include:

• Royal Jordanian – the national carrier with direct flights to London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and dozens of Middle Eastern destinations
• Turkish Airlines – via Istanbul
• Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air – via Gulf hubs
• Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways – via European hubs
• EgyptAir, Saudia, Middle East Airlines – regional carriers
• Low-cost carriers – FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Wizz Air, Ryanair (seasonal)

Most international arrivals use Terminal 1. Royal Jordanian operates from a dedicated section. All terminals converge at the same immigration hall, so the visa-on-arrival process is identical regardless of your airline.

Important Exceptions and Special Cases

Allenby/King Hussein Bridge – No Visa on Arrival

The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing from the West Bank does not issue visas on arrival. This is a common source of confusion. If you plan to enter Jordan via Allenby Bridge, you must have a pre-arranged visa – either an eVisa or a sticker visa from a Jordanian embassy.

Visa-Exempt Countries

Citizens of 15 countries do not need any visa to enter Jordan. These include nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Palestine, Russia, and Uzbekistan. If you hold one of these passports, proceed directly to passport control – no visa counter visit needed.

Restricted Nationalities

Citizens of certain countries (including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria, and Syria) cannot obtain a visa on arrival at Queen Alia Airport. These nationalities must apply for a visa through a Jordanian embassy or consulate before traveling. The Jordan eVisa system is also not available for these nationalities.

Transit Passengers

If you are transiting through Queen Alia International Airport and not leaving the international transit area, you do not need a visa. However, if you plan to leave the airport during a layover, you must obtain a visa on arrival or have a pre-arranged eVisa.

Tips for a Smooth Airport Arrival

• Carry cash in JOD or USD – While credit cards work at the airport, cash is faster and always accepted
• Have your accommodation details ready – Immigration officers occasionally ask for your hotel name and address
• Check passport validity before traveling – The 6-month rule is strictly enforced; airlines may deny boarding if your passport expires sooner
• Download or print your Jordan Pass – If using one, have it accessible on your phone or as a printed copy
• Arrive during off-peak hours if possible – Midday arrivals (11 AM – 3 PM) typically have the shortest queues
• Use the eVisa to skip the queue – Pre-approved eVisa holders bypass the visa counter entirely

Frequently Asked Questions