Jordan Courts Chinese and Russian Visitors With Visa-Free Entry and Services

Jordan is reworking its tourism infrastructure and promotional campaigns to draw more visitors from China and Russia, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said. The push includes new Chinese-language services at tourist sites and promotion of a visa-exemption deal that allows Russian citizens to enter Jordan without a visa.

Key facts

• Russian citizens can enter Jordan visa-free for up to 30 days per visit under a bilateral mutual visa-exemption agreement
• Direct flights already operate between Moscow and Amman, with a Moscow–Aqaba route planned
• The number of licensed Chinese-speaking tour guides is being doubled from 25 to 50
• Chinese-language signage, website portals and an official Jordan Tourism Board representative in China are being added
• Russian promotional event held in Moscow in September; King Abdullah II visited Trip.com Group headquarters in Shanghai in August

What is changing for Chinese visitors?

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Emad Hijazeen said the ministry is expanding direct contact with Chinese tour operators, improving local digital infrastructure and tailoring hospitality services to Chinese travel preferences.

Site signage is being upgraded with Chinese-language descriptions, Chinese-language portals are being added to the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) website, and an official JTB representative is being appointed in China. The ministry is also recruiting and training specialised language graduates to expand the pool of licensed Chinese-speaking tour guides from 25 to 50, and running parallel training programmes in hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues to align services with Chinese cultural expectations.

What is on offer for Russian travellers?

The ministry hosted a promotional event in Moscow in September bringing together travel agents, media figures and investors. Promotional work focuses on the bilateral mutual visa-exemption agreement, which permits Russian citizens to enter Jordan visa-free for up to 30 days per visit.

Authorities are also expanding air connectivity, building on direct Moscow–Amman flights with plans to launch a direct Moscow–Aqaba route to support coastal and leisure travel. Christian pilgrimage and religious tourism are a further engagement pillar: Hijazeen recently met Metropolitan Antony, Deputy Patriarch of Russia and Head of the Department for External Church Relations, about Russian participation in celebrations marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas) in 2030.

Why is Jordan targeting these markets?

Dr. Hakam Shatnawi, Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Yarmouk University, described Russia and China as strategic growth markets for Jordan. He said Russian travellers mainly seek coastal and wellness experiences in Aqaba and the Dead Sea, while Chinese tourists tend to favour cultural heritage, photography and historical sites in Petra, Jerash and Wadi Rum.

Tourism investor Osama Abu Taleb highlighted the private sector's role in creating joint packages with international operators, expanding digital marketing campaigns and measuring return on investment through indicators such as length of stay, total spend and seasonal booking volume.

What this means for travellers

Russian passport holders can plan short stays of up to 30 days in Jordan without arranging a visa in advance. Chinese visitors can expect more Chinese-language information at tourist sites and through the Jordan Tourism Board, as well as more Chinese-speaking guides as training and recruitment continue.

No start dates have been announced for the planned Moscow–Aqaba flights or for the other service upgrades.