Foreign investors can incorporate a company in Jordan with 100% foreign ownership in most sectors under the Investment Environment Law No. 30 of 2022. Jordan ranks among the most open investment destinations in the MENA region, offering a clear legal framework, competitive tax rates, and direct access to Gulf, European, and Levant markets from a single registered entity.
This guide covers every step of the company incorporation process in Jordan for foreign nationals and foreign companies — from choosing the right legal structure to receiving your Registration Certificate and commencing operations.
| Did You Know? Jordan received USD 1.86 billion in foreign direct investment in 2023, with the services sector attracting the largest share, followed by manufacturing and real estate. According to the Jordan Investment Commission’s official FDI statistics, Jordan has maintained one of the most consistent FDI inflow records in the Arab world over the past decade. |
What Business Structures Can Foreigners Use in Jordan?
The most widely used structure for foreign investors is the Limited Liability Company (LLC). Other available structures include the One-Person LLC, Private Shareholding Company, Foreign Company Branch, Offshore Company, and Free Zone Company.
| Structure | Min. Shareholders | Liability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | 2 | Limited to capital | Most commercial activities |
| One-Person LLC | 1 | Limited to capital | Solo foreign investors |
| Private Shareholding Co. | 3+ | Limited | Larger ventures, raising capital |
| Foreign Branch | N/A | Parent company liable | Project-specific presence |
| Offshore Company | 2 | Limited | Activities outside Jordan |
| Free Zone Company | 2 | Limited | Trade, logistics, manufacturing |
For most foreign investors entering Jordan, the LLC is the right starting point. Our company incorporation practice covers all structures and advises on which is best suited to your specific sector, ownership goals, and long-term plan.
Can a Foreigner Own 100% of a Company in Jordan?
Yes, in most sectors. Under the Investment Environment Law 2022 and Regulation No. 76 of 2019 (as amended in 2026), foreign investors may own 100% of a Jordanian company in the majority of commercial activities.
Sectors where partial or full Jordanian partnership may be required include certain retail trade categories and some regulated professional services. The Ministry of Investment maintains the current list of restricted and conditionally open activities.
Before committing to any structure, your corporate and commercial lawyer should verify whether your intended business activity is fully open to foreign ownership — this is the single most important pre-registration check.
Step-by-Step: Company Incorporation in Jordan for Foreigners
STEP 1 Reserve the Company Name
Reserve your Arabic company name through the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s online portal. Your chosen name must not duplicate any existing registered company name and cannot include protected terms such as “Jordan,” “Royal,” or “National” without prior governmental approval. Always prepare two to three alternatives in case your first choice is unavailable.
Name reservations are valid for a defined period. If registration is not completed within that window, the reservation lapses and must be reapplied for.
STEP 2 Prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association
The Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA) is the founding legal document of your company. It must be drafted in Arabic and signed before a licensed Jordanian lawyer or notary public.
A legally sound MAA must precisely state:
- Company name, registered address, and intended duration
- Permitted business activities — be specific, not broad
- Total share capital, division into shares, and each shareholder’s contribution
- Management structure: appointment and removal of managers, scope of authority
- General assembly decision-making procedures
- Profit distribution rules
- Share transfer restrictions and pre-emption rights
- Dissolution provisions
A vague or poorly drafted MAA is the leading cause of post-registration disputes, licensing complications, and costly amendment filings. Our company incorporation lawyers draft MAA documents that are both fully compliant and commercially practical — built to serve the company long after registration day.
STEP 3 Authenticate All Foreign Documents
All documents originating outside Jordan must complete this authentication chain without exception:
- Notarised by a notary public in the country of origin
- Apostilled under the Hague Apostille Convention — or legalised through the Jordanian Embassy if the country is not a Convention signatory
- Translated into Arabic by a certified translator in Jordan
Individual foreign shareholders require: valid passport (all pages), proof of residential address dated within three months, and in some cases a clean criminal record certificate.
Corporate foreign shareholders require: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association or equivalent constitutional document, Certificate of Good Standing issued within the past 12 months, a Board Resolution authorising the Jordan investment and naming the authorised signatory, and the signatory’s identity documents.
Incomplete document authentication is the single most common reason for registration rejection. Clients who prepare fully authenticated documents before starting the Jordan-side process compress the overall timeline significantly.
STEP 4 Submit to the Companies Control Department
The full registration package is submitted to the Companies Control Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The package includes:
- Completed company registration application form
- Signed and notarised MAA
- Apostilled and Arabic-translated shareholder documents
- Proof of registered office: commercial lease agreement or title deed
- Payment of registration fees, calculated on the stated share capital
The registered office must be a physical commercial address. Residential addresses are not accepted. If you do not yet have commercial premises in Jordan, a registered office service can be arranged for registration purposes.
STEP 5 Obtain the Tax Identification Number
Register with the Income and Sales Tax Department for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) before opening a corporate bank account, issuing invoices, or applying for business licences. If projected annual turnover will exceed JD 30,000, General Sales Tax (GST) registration is also required. Our taxation lawyers handle tax registration as part of the full incorporation mandate.
STEP 6 Open a Corporate Bank Account
Corporate bank account opening for foreign-owned companies typically takes two to six weeks. Jordanian banks require the Registration Certificate, MAA, TIN certificate, shareholder passport copies, proof of registered office, and a shareholder resolution naming authorised signatories. Straightforward corporate structures with clear beneficial ownership are processed considerably faster.
STEP 7 Obtain the Occupational Licence
The occupational (trade) licence is issued by the competent municipality — typically the Greater Amman Municipality for Amman-based companies. It specifies permitted business activities and must be renewed annually. Our regulatory compliance team manages annual renewals for foreign-owned companies operating in Jordan.
STEP 8 Register with the Social Security Corporation
If the company will hire any staff, it must register with the Jordan Social Security Corporation before the first employee starts work. Both employer and employee contribute a defined percentage of gross salary. For foreign employees, work permits and residence permits are additional requirements, both tied to the employing company and renewable annually.
STEP 9 Obtain Sector-Specific Licences
Many business activities require additional approvals beyond company registration and the occupational licence:
- Financial services: Central Bank of Jordan
- Telecommunications: Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
- Healthcare: Ministry of Health
- Energy projects: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Construction: Jordan Engineers Association
- Legal services: Jordan Bar Association
Our regulatory compliance lawyers conduct full regulatory mapping for every new foreign business as a standard first step before registration is filed.
Registering a Company in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone
Companies registered with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) benefit from a flat 5% income tax rate compared to the standard 20%, full exemption from customs duties, and a streamlined regulatory environment fully open to foreign ownership. Our regulatory compliance and corporate and commercial teams have extensive ASEZA registration experience for international clients.
How Long Does Company Incorporation Take in Jordan?
A straightforward foreign-owned LLC with individual shareholders and no restricted activities takes two to four weeks from completed document preparation to receiving the Registration Certificate. The critical path is overseas document apostilisation. Complex structures involving corporate shareholders from multiple jurisdictions typically take four to eight weeks.
Common Mistakes Foreign Investors Make During Incorporation
Choosing the wrong structure.
An LLC is not always optimal. A foreign branch may suit a short-term project; a shareholding company may be needed to raise external capital. Structure selection must be driven by business needs, not familiarity.
Incomplete apostilisation.
Missing apostilles on any document in the package causes outright rejection and forces a restart.
Vague business activity descriptions.
Overly broad activity descriptions are routinely queried by the Companies Control Department and create licensing complications after registration.
Failing to verify sector restrictions before drafting documents.
Discovering an ownership restriction after the MAA has been prepared wastes money and time.
Underestimating post-registration compliance.
Annual general assembly minutes, financial statement filings, and occupational licence renewals all carry legal deadlines. Our corporate and commercial team provides ongoing company secretarial services specifically for foreign-owned companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Jordan?
Yes, in most sectors under the Investment Environment Law 2022. Certain activities remain restricted. Always verify with a Jordanian lawyer before committing to a structure and capital outlay.
What is the minimum capital required to register a company in Jordan?
There is no universal fixed minimum for general commercial LLCs. Capital must be proportionate to the stated business activities. Regulated sectors including banking, insurance, and telecommunications have sector-specific statutory minimums.
Do I need to visit Jordan to incorporate a company?
No. With a duly notarised power of attorney, a Jordanian lawyer can complete the entire registration process on your behalf. Most foreign clients complete the process without travelling to Jordan.
How much does company incorporation cost in Jordan?
Government fees are calculated on the company’s stated share capital. Total costs vary by structure and complexity. Contact our company incorporation team for a tailored estimate.
Can a foreign company register a branch in Jordan instead of incorporating a new entity?
Yes. A foreign branch is an extension of the parent company — the parent bears full liability for all branch activities. It suits short-term, project-specific presence but does not provide liability protection. An LLC is preferable for ongoing commercial operations.
What happens if my company fails to file annual returns?
Administrative fines apply immediately. Persistent non-compliance results in the Companies Control Department suspending certified document issuance, which blocks bank transactions, contract execution, and regulatory renewals.
What is the corporate income tax rate in Jordan?
The standard rate is 20% for most sectors. ASEZA-registered companies pay a flat 5% on qualifying income. See our taxation practice for sector-specific guidance.
Is Jordan a signatory to bilateral investment treaties that protect foreign investors?
Yes. Jordan has signed bilateral investment treaties with over 50 countries, providing legal protections against expropriation and access to international arbitration. Full treaty details are published by the Jordan Investment Commission.