Jordan lifts Indian tourist restrictions

Visa restrictions blocking individual Indian nationals from visiting Jordan as tourists have been lifted by the kingdom’s government.

The decision was made in order to support and promote economic growth, according to the country’s interior minister Nayef al-Qadi.

Individual Indian tourists will now be given a two-week entry visa with a 'not allowed to work in Jordan' stamp upon entry to the kingdom.

Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) managing director Nayef al-Fayez said: “JTB has recently opened a representative office in India to tap into the great potential of this promising market.

“The move represents a central part of the board’s strategy of exploring new and important markets such as China and South American countries.”

The lifting of restrictions on Indian nationals follows similar decisions in February this year, which granted tourists visas to Chinese and Romanian nationalities that ensured visitors from the two countries no longer need prior approval before travelling to the Levant state.

JTB's al-Fayez said that the change in direction was part of a wider strategy of attracting tourist from the biggest Asian markets, adding that the country hoped to attract a percentage of the 12 million-strong Indian tourist market.