Article 29(h) of Law No. 24 of 1973 on Residence and Foreigners’ Affairs in Jordan lists categories of individuals to whom the law does not apply. Among these are persons who hold the right to political asylum, a term that mirrors the language used in Article 21(1) of the Jordanian Constitution, which prohibits the extradition of political refugees on account of their beliefs or defense of liberty. 

The legal provision in Article 29(h) refers exclusively to "political asylum" without further elaboration or linkage to a broader asylum framework. In the absence of implementing legislation or regulations—either to operationalize the constitutional guarantee or to establish a comprehensive asylum system—this exception remains largely unimplemented in practice. Refugees and asylum seekers in Jordan are instead governed by the general provisions of Law No. 24 of 1973, which treats them as foreigners without recognizing a distinct legal status.

While Jordan’s domestic legal framework does not formally grant refugees a recognized legal status, the country has implemented robust administrative protection measures. In the absence of national asylum legislation, Jordan extends protection through practical arrangements and long-standing cooperation with UNHCR and other international partners, allowing refugees to access essential services and humanitarian assistance.

A key component of Jordan’s responsive system for managing refugee protection is the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNHCR, which authorizes the agency to conduct Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and facilitate access to critical services. While the MoU is not legally binding under Jordanian law, it serves as a foundational framework for humanitarian coordination, service delivery, and ongoing international cooperation.

Refugees registered with UNHCR are issued documentation that enables them to access healthcare, education, and other vital forms of humanitarian assistance. The Jordan Response Plan (JRP) outlines strategic priorities for refugee inclusion in national systems, reflecting the government’s commitment to resilience and shared responsibility. However, this documentation does not confer formal legal residency or protection from deportation under domestic law. Refugees remain subject to the Law on Residence and Foreigners’ Affairs, which classifies individuals without valid residency permits as irregular migrants.

Despite these legal limitations, Jordan continues to demonstrate regional leadership in refugee response, providing protection and essential services to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons.