Date of publication:
09/30/2026
Jordan
Do domestic laws and policies provide for the revocation of refugee status?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Jordan is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol and does not have a national refugee law. Refugee status in Jordan is primarily managed under the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNHCR, which establishes administrative procedures for registration, protection, and documentation. Under the MoU, status may be revoked in specific circumstances, including fraudulent registration or security and criminal concerns.
While these mechanisms help manage protection in line with recognized standards, they are administrative rather than codified in domestic law, and procedural safeguards such as transparency, individualized assessment, notice, and appeal rights are not formally guaranteed. Decisions are generally not subject to judicial review, which can limit access to remedies and raise concerns under international norms, particularly regarding the principle of non-refoulement and the right to an effective remedy.
Despite these limitations, Jordan has shown a pragmatic and humanitarian approach, working closely with UNHCR to provide meaningful protection and access to essential services.