Jordanian domestic law does not formally provide for prima facie (group-based) recognition of refugee status, as the country has not enacted a national asylum law and is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. At the policy level, however, Jordan has cooperated closely with UNHCR to facilitate group-based protection for certain populations, most notably Syrian refugees.

Under the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UNHCR conducts refugee status determination (RSD) and has applied prima facie recognition for Syrians fleeing conflict since 2011. This allows individuals to be recognized based on nationality and the general circumstances of displacement rather than through individualized assessments. While effective in responding to large-scale displacement, this approach remains an administrative practice and is not codified in Jordanian law.

Jordanian authorities have generally accepted UNHCR’s prima facie recognition of Syrians, allowing them access to protection and basic services. However, this cooperation is discretionary and not grounded in enforceable legal obligations. Other nationalities, such as Iraqis, Yemenis, and Sudanese, typically undergo individual RSD, reflecting a differentiated approach based on nationality and context.

In summary, while Jordan does not legally provide for prima facie asylum, it has allowed UNHCR to apply this approach for specific groups as part of its broader humanitarian response.