Visa and residency services now available online

AMMAN — The Interior Ministry, in cooperation with the ICT, public sector development ministries and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), launched 11 e-services related to visas and residency on Sunday. 

At the launching ceremony, Interior Minister Samir Mubaidin said the e-services include issuance and renewal of visit visas, transit visas, leave and return visas and work visas, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The services also include issuance and renewal of study visas, annual residency with a job without a bank guarantee, annual residence for members of a family (joining head of the family) and residency for educational purposes, Mubaidin added.

Other e-services include issuance of emergency travel documents and approval for changing residency location and work residency. The minister noted that Jordanians, foreigners inside and outside the Kingdom, hospitals, universities and tourist agencies, as well as companies and institutions, will all benefit from the new e-services. 

This phase of e-services is set to include all visas foreigners need to enter the Kingdom, Mubaidin said, adding that non-restricted nationalities can benefit from these services by presenting their applications, paying visa fees and registering electronically on the control system affiliated with the Public Security Department (PSD). 

The second phase will include services provided by the ministry’s nationality and foreign affairs and investment departments, while the third phase will entail services offered by all other ministry departments, he explained.

Public Sector Development Minister Majd Shweikeh highlighted the importance of joint action in “turning efforts into reality”, in order for citizens and other beneficiaries to feel the “positive impact” of the new services.

She noted that these services also require campaigns targeting beneficiaries so as to show them how to use the said services.

ICT Minister Muthana Gharaibeh highlighted the importance of moving to an e-government in enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness; supporting the economic, social, educational and health sectors; and facilitating procedures for investors. 

Gharaibeh said that the government has already launched 20 e-services since the beginning of the year, which have witnessed more than 1.5 million transactions by citizens and investors. He added that after the launch of 11 new services on Sunday, 31 total e-services have launched this year. 

Meanwhile, Health Minister Mahmoud Sheyyab and PSD Director Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud announced on Sunday the adoption of electronic laboratory test results for expatriates seeking residence and work permits; the last paper health certificates were issued as of Sunday, Petra reported.

The decision came during their meeting with Secretary General of the Ministry Layl Fayez and senior officials from both departments on Sunday at the Ministry of Health. 

They discussed several issues of mutual concern, including electronic connectivity, legal medical reports and an agreement to protect hospitals.