Work Permits for Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Minimum age for non-Jordanians to work and obtain a work permit is 18.

Documents required from the worker:

1. Valid Service Card issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI);
2. One personal passport size photo;
3. Medical examination, provided that it is conducted at healthcare directorates and centres accredited by the Ministry of Health in the Governorates.

Documents required from the employer: 

1. Certificate of Incorporation/ Commercial Registry Certificate;
2. Professional licence certificate;
3. A statement from Social Security confirming registration of the company;
4. A statement from Social Security listing the employees of the company (first time employees will not be on this list, but Social Security subscription will be requested upon renewal);
5. Two copies of a written contract signed by both parties (employer and employee) – each party to keep 1 copy;
6. Identity Card of the employer or an authorization from the employer allowing a delegate to apply for the work permit signed by the employer;
7. Bank statement or legal guarantee of the company;
8. A summons form addressed to the director of the concerned directorate.

Documents required from the individual employer in the agricultural sector (not a cooperative)

1. The record issued by the Directorate of Agriculture stating the land surface, the type of tenure and the kind of irrigation used;
2. Two copies of a written contract signed by both parties (employer and employee) – each party to keep 1 copy;
3. Identity Card of the employer or an authorization from the employer allowing a delegate to apply for the work permit signed by the employer;
4. A recent copy of the land registration certificate from the Lands Department, or the artesian water well license and the clearance from the Water Authority.

Documents required from the agriculture cooperative:

1. Registration certificate of the cooperative, which is issued by the Jordanian Cooperative Enterprise;
2. Letter from the cooperative requesting the work permit, enlisting the names of the applicants for work permits;
3. Authorization letter from the cooperative to the designated person in charge of issuing and receiving the work permit;
4. A summons form addressed to the director of the concerned directorate.

A flexible work permit can be issued as a worker in the following occupational groups  (Service and sales workers, Craft and related trades workers, Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers, Elementary occupations, Plant and machine operators, and assemblers). These include the following occupational group: agriculture, forestry and fishing (e.g agricultural worker) , Mining and Quarrying (e.g quarry worker), Transformative Industries (e.g bakery worker/baker), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supplies (e.g maintenance worker), water supply, sewage treatment, and waste management (e.g Recycling worker), construction (e.g Construction worker)  , wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (e.g Nursery worker/exhibition worker),  accommodation and food services activities (e.g Restaurant worker / waiter), arts, entertainment and recreation (e.g zoo worker)  In addition to some other service professions (e.g Foot and hand care worker).

The flexible work permit is granted exclusively to self-employed Syrian refugees. Employers are not allowed to apply for these permits except according to the normal permit system, otherwise legal procedures will be applied.

Excluded from the right to obtain a flexible permit are those who:

o Holds a work permit for companies according to the concept of the organized sector.

o He/she works for an employer with a legal capacity in a facility registered with the Social Security.

o Those who will work for establishments that are required by the labour law to issue permits to the worker and to include workers in social security.

A Syrian worker wishing to issue a flexible work permit in the above-mentioned occupational groups must:

• Conduct medical examination for the purpose of issuing a work permit at one of the certified workers’ health centers (85 JOD).
• Submit a application for issuing a flexible work permit in one of the offices of the General Federation of Jordan Trade Unions distributed over the governorates of the Kingdom, or in the cooperatives approved for the flexible agricultural permit.
• Attach the application to a copy of the MoI card and a copy of the old permit, if any, and a personal photo of the person who issues the permit for the first time.
• Provide the union’s employees with all the contact information required to follow up on the progress of the application.
• Pay the permit fee of 425 JOD, in addition to 50 JOD to the GFJTU and a two-month social security subscription (113 JOD).
• When the fees are paid, the worker receives the following:

• Receipt of the paid value issued by the union.
• An introductory brochure on labor and contractual rights and social security for the worker according to the Jordanian Labor Law, which includes hotline numbers related to labor violations and emergency work injuries.
• The beneficiary worker is notified by text message of the date and place of receiving the issued permit.
• The worker receives a work permit valid for one year from the date of expiry of his previous permit or from the date of issuing his new permit if he did not hold a previous permit.

For the employer

1. Approach the Labour Directorate (Geographical Directorate of the Ministry of Labour) where the employer/company is registered
2. Fill out the application form. By submitting the application on paper to the Directorate of Labor, or the documents are entered electronically on the expatriate labour program of the relevant directorate and are checked by the competent employee, after which the employer gets to the electronic payment number, and then the fees due are transferred through the electronic payment mechanisms of the relevant directorate.
3. Attach the required documents mentioned above.
4. Wait for approval of the Ministry of Labour/ Labour Directorate.
5. Apply for the permits due to the employer

1. The right to have an employment contract and keep a copy of it. the worker has the right to prove his rights by all legal ways of proof. if the contract is not written, including witnesses and taking oath, and any agreement, condition. Any contracts that require the worker to waive any of the rights granted him by law is considered void.
2. The right to a minimum wage.
3. The right to obtain a work permit, which is one of the obligations imposed by the Labour Law. In the event that the worker works with a specific employer, the employer is the one who pays the costs of issuing the permit
4. The right to have a day off on Friday unless the nature of the work requires otherwise. In that case, the day off may be any other day of the week.
5. Every worker has the right to 14 days of annual leave. After 5 consecutive years with the same employer, the entitlement becomes 21 days of annual leave.
6. Each worker has the right to 14 days of full paid sick leave during one year based on a certified medical report. The sick leave may be renewed for another 14 days with full pay if worker is a patient in a hospital or based on a report from a physician approved by institutions whose number of workers is less than twenty, and for institutions whose number of workers is more than twenty, a special medical committee is in charge for the purposes of approving medical reports.
7. Maximum working hours are up to 48 hours per week. If an employee works for more than eight hours per day and 48 hours per week, he/she is entitled to overtime compensation. Time allocated for food and rest is not considered part of the working hours.
8. The right to receive overtime compensation if working on weekends or national/religious holidays. The employee may agree to work over the regular working hours. In that case, the overtime wage is 125% of his usual wage during weekdays and 150% during holidays, public holidays and weekly holidays.
9. The wages have to be paid within a maximum of seven days from the date it is due.
10. Women have the right to paid maternity leave for a total of 10 weeks (paid by the social security), and the right to one paid hour for nursing per day for a period of one year from the date of delivery. If the institution that employs the female worker is not subject to the social security umbrella, and the female worker has not been subjected to the social security umbrella, or the conditions stipulated in the Social Security Law for entitlement to maternity leave are not fulfilled, the responsibility for paying maternity leave allowance entitlements shall be the responsibility of the employer/institution that employs that female worker.
11. The right to be enrolled into Social Security.
12. The right to be medically treated and receive compensation in the case of any work-related injury.
13. The employee has the right to keep his/her passport and all his/her personal and identity documents.
14. The worker must carry his/her work permit at all times and it needs to be presented to the official authorities when requested.
15. The worker is obligated not to violate the labour law and the regulations and instructions issued pursuant thereto.
16. The right to obtain sufficient information about the nature of his work in the institution or with an employer, the type of potential risks and ways to prevent them.
17. The right to have personal working clothes to prevent and reduce potential work risks in the institution.
18. The right to undergo the required medical examinations to ensure his health fitness before and after starting work in the institution.

1. The worker must perform the work by himself and exert the care of the ordinary person in its performance
2. To comply with the employer’s orders related to the implementation of the work within the limits that do not expose him to danger and do not violate the provisions of the laws in force and public morals
3. Preserving the employer’s industrial and commercial secrets and not divulging them even after the end of the work
4. Take care of the tools handed to him to perform the work
5. Undergo the necessary medical examinations for work
6. Compliance with the instructions of the institution’s internal system, provided it is approved by the legal department in the Ministry of Labour.

• Work permits for Syrian workers cost is 425 JOD per year for auditing applications under the financial system of the Ministry of Labor is collected.
• The cost of issuing a “flexible” work permit through the General Federation of Jordan Trade Unions Is 425 JOD, in addition to 50 JOD for the GFJTU and a two-month social security subscription (113 JOD), and a financial receipt from the union.
• The cost of issuing a “normal” work permit (tide to specific employer) for other sectors is 425 JOD and is paid by the employer.

A non-Jordanian worker is allowed to work in within three categories of professions: the first are the professions allowed for non-Jordanian workers in general, the second are the restricted professions, and the third are skilled professions

, with the exception of professions included in the list of closed professions. To find out about closed professions, please see the Ministry of Labour website. المهن المغلقة امام العمالة الوافدة – وزارة العمل الاردنية (mol.gov.jo)

There will be no change to the status of Syrians registered with UNHCR once you receive your work permit. UNHCR and partner organizations are committed to continue providing assistance based on needs and vulnerabilities.

Syrian refugees holding work permits may still be considered for UNHCR resettlement to third countries.

Refugees residing in camps can obtain a work permit free of charge to work across the country in occupations open to non-Jordanians. Work permit holders will be able to work outside the camps. The work permit serves as a one month leave permit, facilitating the movement in and out of the camp. Processing fees described above apply.

No. You can transfer to a new employer when the permit has expired without the clearance of the previous employer. The worker holding a regular work permit is also allowed to transfer from an employer to another without the need of any clearance.

Yes, without the employer authorization. With flexible work permits, they can change sector at any time- within the professional group stated on their work permits. With Employer-tied work permits, they can cancel the work permit and either apply to a flexible work permits or have their new employer apply to a work permit tied to the employer

You do not need to attend a training course and have a certificate to obtain a work permit in the construction sector anymore. However, we encourage everyone to obtain a certificate of prior learning through one of ILO’s programmes, or any other authorized entity.

Yes. The agency/institution implementing the project in the field (municipalities, field directorates of line ministries, NGOs or associations) will apply for the work permit to the Ministry of Labour. The work permit will have a duration based on the duration of your contract and for a maximum period of six months.

Exemptions on fees and fines related to work permits under two categories only and only until end of Dec 2024

• Cash for work permits.
• Work permits for Syrian refugee workers in factories benefiting from the simplified Rules of Origins ROO agreemenفز

Exemptions on work permits penalties for Syrian workers, for work permits that wasn’t obtained before June 30^th, 2024, the penalties will apply for work permits obtained after July 1^st 2024, and this decision will be valid until June 1^st 2025.

Flexi-work permit applications can be submitted at the offices of the General Federation of Jordan Trade Unions or the accredited agriculture cooperatives.

The worker shall be considered in violation of the provisions of the Labor Law if he falls in one of the following cases:

1- Working without obtaining a valid work permit or with an expired permit.

2- His/her employment with an employer other than the one who is authorized to work for him, unless there is permission from the competent authority in the Ministry to do so.

3- Employing him/her in a profession other than the one in which he is authorized to work, even if he/she is with the same employer.

4- He/she is working in an occupational group other than he/she is authorized to work for flexible permits according to the list of open professions

1. Giving a warning to issue a violation not exceeding one week to correct the situation of the violation from the date of the labor inspector’s visit to the establishment and the detection of the violation.
2. Sending a warning to the Minister of Labor for the recommendation to close the establishment for a period not exceeding one week from the date of the labor inspector’s visit to the establishment and detecting the violation.
3. Issuing a violation against the employer and transferring it to the court in the same location, knowing that the violation is doubled in the event of repeating the violation by same employer.

To cancel a flexible work permit:

1. Visit the building of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions or the cooperative society through which your flexible work permit was issued and request the cancellation of your work permit. You must bring your work permit and security ID with you.
2. Your work permit will be canceled at the same time.
3. An amount of 10 dinars will be requested for cancellation.
4. Then he goes to Social Security to request a Social Security statement and a security withdrawal transaction.
5. The guaranteed withdrawal transaction must be stamped by the First Amman Directorate in Jabal Al Hussein, then taken to Social Security to stop your guarantee and withdraw your entitlements according to the Security Law.
6. You have only 90 days from the date of cancellation of the permit to be able to withdraw social security benefits, otherwise you will have to issue a new work permit.

To complete the social security cancellation procedures, the worker must pay all previous entitlements, including the amounts due retroactively.

If you have a work permit and intend to return to Syria, there are a few important points to note.

First, if you have unpaid monthly contributions to the social security commission, you will not be asked to pay the due contributions to the SSC andnor penalties of work permits to MoL prior to departure. However, if you have unpaid contributions, you will not be able to withdraw your subscription.

Only people with valid current work permits will be allowed to withdraw their contributions, with no unpaid payments. To retrieve contributions, you have to apply online – however, the system is currently under maintenance, and will be working soon. Please see specific information below, based on the different work permits:

For Cash for Work (CfW) Work permits:

there is no need to cancel your work permit. Please approach the SSC to close your file and withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.

For a Flexible Work Permits:

If valid, you must cancel the work permit at the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) Offices, and stamped from MOL/directorate. If expired by more than 90 days, it has to be reissued and cancelled and then approach the SSC to close your file and withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.

For a Work Permit tied to a specific employer:

You must cancel the work permit before departure at the Ministry of Labor/Directorate together with a representative for your employer and obtain written clearance from your employer before leaving the country. Once complete, you can approach the SSC to close your file and withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.

GENERAL INQUIRIES: UNHCR Helpline: 064008000.

SPECIFIC WORK PERMIT AND LABOUR LAW RELATED QUESTIONS: The Ministry of Labour has a free hotline that receives calls regarding labour law issues and is committed to improve the rights of all workers in Jordan: 065008080

for SSC related questions please call: 0793117117

LEGAL ISSUES: For legal counselling and/or mediation, please contact ARDD-Legal aid at 06-4617477 operating Sunday-Thursday, 9AM to 6PM; or approach the Legal Unit in UNHCR Amman-Khalda.

Note: You can refer to the Ministry of Labour or Hemaya platform regarding any labour complaint, even if you do not have a work permit. The worker can also review the labour directorates, directorates and inspection departments of the Ministry of Labour that are scattered in all governorates of the Kingdom to request assistance and obtain any inquiries related to work and labour rights.

Social security subscription is mandatory for every establishment that has one worker, and for the employer if the enrolment conditions are met.

For more information about the social security work permit tied to specific employer please click here 

For more information about the social security flexible work permits click here