New Jordanian instructions to ease Iraqis’ entry, residency

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Jordan issued new instructions on Thursday aimed at facilitating the entry and residency of Iraqi citizens in the country which will be effective as of February 22. “Jordan’s Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi ratified the recommendations made by the ministerial committee to adopt all measures to facilitate the entry and residency of Iraqis, mainly investors,” Jordanian al-Dustor newspaper said on Friday. Jordanian ministry of interior on Thursday issued instructions aimed at facilitating the entry and residency of Iraqi citizens, effective as of February 22. The new regulations were crafted by a government committee chaired by Jordanian Interior Minister Eid Fayez and comprising representatives from other concerned bodies. Following directives of Jordan’s King Abdullah issued last month, authorities took immediate steps to dilute the rules which have been a source of complaint among Iraqi citizens, the majority of whom fled to the country following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent violence that drove away four million people, including two million who sought haven in other countries. The new instructions cover the status of Iraqi businessmen and investors, Iraqis already residing in the Kingdom and those wishing to come to Jordan. Under the new regulations, a special office will be established at the Karamah border crossing with Iraq to facilitate easy entry of Iraqi diplomats, official delegations and holders of an investor card issued by the Jordan Investment Board (JIB). The measures were received with relief by Iraqi investors residing in the Kingdom. Sabah Rubaie, who has been in the country since 2003, said it used to take him between 30 to 40 days to have his residency permit renewed. The new measures addressed such impediments. A one-time security approval is needed now for their residency renewal, while annual residencies of unmarried children of Iraqi investors under the age of 18 will be issued automatically when the parents’ permits are renewed. Moreover, the JIB is required under the regulations to provide the ministry with a list of Iraqi investors in order for the ministry to facilitate their entry into the Kingdom. Those who have been legally residing in the Kingdom for 10 years and more will be eligible for a five-year residency permit, according to the ministry. The regulations also spare Iraqis residing in the Kingdom the inconvenience of seeking in advance approvals when they plan to buy property or vehicles or replace their Iraqi driving licenses with Jordanian ones, provided that their residencies are valid. The regulations also spared transiting official Iraqi delegations from prior approvals. They can obtain entrance visas at the border crossings and airports as soon as they present the necessary official documents. According to estimates, there are about 750,000 Iraqis residing in Jordan. SH (I) 1