Although domestic law does not guarantee asylum seekers access to Jordanian territory, national policies have a well-established record in receiving refugees. 

Jordan’s domestic laws, particularly the Law on Residence and Foreigners’ Affairs No. 24 of 1973, regulate entry and stay for foreign nationals but do not provide a legal right of entry or establish procedures for seeking asylum at the border. As Jordan is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, asylum-seekers have no codified entitlement to enter or apply for protection under national law.

By contrast, Jordan’s domestic policies have consistently enabled access on humanitarian grounds. Individuals seeking international protection approach and register with UNHCR upon arrival in Jordan, pursuant to the cooperation framework established between the Government of Jordan and UNHCR under the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU with UNHCR incorporates the principles of protection and non-refoulement, allowing asylum seekers to register, undergo Refugee Status Determination (RSD), and access essential services. For Syrians, the government has provided group-based admission and legal stay without requiring individual recognition. These policies demonstrate Jordan’s humanitarian approach, allowing large numbers of displaced with affected population to enter and remain despite the absence of a formal asylum law.