Date of publication:
09/30/2026
Jordan
Do domestic laws and policies provide for efficient asylum procedures on appeal?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Jordan has not enacted a national asylum law and is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. While Jordan’s Law on the Administrative Judiciary theoretically provides a pathway to appeal administrative decisions such as fines for irregular stay, detention, or deportation orders, these mechanisms are rarely accessible in practice for refugees.
In practice, Jordan has established a policy framework through cooperation with UNHCR under the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The UNHCR conducts refugee status determination (RSD) in accordance with internationally recognized procedures, including interviews and evidence review based on the 1951 Convention's definition of a refugee, which provides asylum-seekers with essential protections and access to documentation. While these procedures offer important protection, they are administrative rather than codified in domestic law, and the right to appeal is not formally guaranteed.
Civil society organizations, such as the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), provide additional legal support and assistance, complementing UNHCR’s efforts to enhance access to justice and legal services for refugees and asylum-seekers.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Law No. 24 of 1973 on Residence and Foreigners' Affairs
- Year: 1973
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/node/14194
Legal provision
Law No. 24 of 1973 on Residence and Foreigners' Affairs - Generic
Law No. 24 of 1973 on Residence and Foreigners' Affairs - Generic
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Jordan and UNHCR
- Year: 1998
- Type: Other
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
Legal provision
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Jordan and UNHCR - Generic
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Jordan and UNHCR - Generic