Diplomats authorised to issue visas for health tourists

AMMAN — Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin has decided to authorise heads of Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad to permit entry visas for patients of restricted nationalities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The eased restrictions, aimed to encourage medical tourism, applies to citizens of Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Chad and Ethiopia who seek treatment in Jordan. 

The decision was stated in a letter Mubaidin addressed to Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. 

Under the decision, visas are issued to patients and their companions, providing that the number of the accompanying persons does not exceed four and they are first-degree relatives, in addition to children. The visa will be granted within 48 hours after reviewing the patient's medical reports.

The decision implements the regulations of admitting foreign patients for treatment in the Kingdom, which was approved by the Council of Ministers, in accordance with the provisions of Article 39 of the residency and foreigners affairs law No. 24 of 1973 and its amendments.

The regulations also removed restrictions on patients from restricted nationalities who have permanent residency in the Gulf countries, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, EU countries, Switzerland, the UK and South Korea. 

They will be able to obtain visa upon arrival if they have a six-month residency in one of the said countries, and a two-way ticket with a specified departure date, it has been announced.

Meanwhile, Mubaidin sent a letter addressing ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh to accelerate work on the issuance of electronic visas for tourists and patients coming to the Kingdom, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry and the security agencies.