The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a major regional hub in the Middle East known for its strategic location, robust economy, and strong international diplomatic and business ties. The country offers a lifestyle inspired by historic heritage, a strong sense of cultural tradition, and contemporary developments with modern urban centers and historic neighborhoods.
Relocating from Kenya to Jordan represents an exciting milestone, whether you’re moving for work, studies, or to reunite with your family or spouse. Whatever your path, Jordan welcomes you with a dynamic modern environment for residents and international professionals.
While the country has moved most of its immigration application processes online, there are still some highly sensitive administrative steps that will require your strict attention. Planning your move to Jordan early is advisable to get your legal and immigration papers in order to avoid costly delays or inconveniences later on.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about moving to Jordan from Kenya, from visa and residence permits to the step-by-step relocation process.
1. Visa and Residence Permits
If you’re a Kenyan citizen moving to Jordan for work, studies, or a long-term stay, you must get the correct entry visa and local residency approvals upon arrival.
If you’re simply touring the country, you can get a visa online. But if you want to move permanently, you will have to go through official immigration channels.
To get your initial entry visa, you can either submit an application through Jordan’s Ministry of Interior online portal or visit the Jordan embassy in Nairobi. An eVisa or pre-approved entry visa allowing you an initial stay of up to 30 to 90 days can be processed digitally in just a few business days. However, upon arrival, you must convert this entry visa into a formal annual residence permit, depending on why you’re moving to Jordan.
Work Permit
You cannot apply for this independently. Your sponsoring organization or Jordanian employer has to submit a formal work permit application to the Jordanian Ministry of Labor. They must prove the job cannot be done by a local citizen and present a signed employment contract. After the Ministry of Labor approves the permit, you can finalize your residency with the Ministry of Interior.
Student Residency Permit
To get a student residency permit, you will require an official admission letter from an accredited Jordanian university or educational institution. You will also need to show bank statements proving you have enough finances to cover your tuition and living expenses while you study.
Family Reunification Visa
If you are a Kenyan moving to join a spouse, partner or parent who is already a legal Jordanian resident, you will have to submit your application through the Ministry of Interior. You are required to bring original, officially stamped relationship proofs like marriage or birth certificates.
As you prepare to relocate to Jordan from Kenya, always remember the following 3 uniquely Jordanian rules;
- Even if your entry visa grants you to stay for 60 or 90 days, you must report to a local police station or the Ministry of Interior within 30 days of arrival to initiate your residence permit processing. If you fail to register within this first month, you will have to pay daily financial overstay fines.
- You cannot board your flight to Jordan on a one-way ticket unless you hold an official government position or have a pre-approved, fully finalized residency card in hand. This is because your permanent residency paperwork is only finalized after you arrive. Airlines and Jordan Border Control will require you to provide a valid return or onward ticket just to get on the plane.
- Jordan is highly bureaucratic, and the official language for all legal and government frameworks is Arabic. Even though your documents are reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Nairobi, they must also be translated into Arabic by a certified translator to be accepted by the Jordanian Ministry of Labor or Ministry of Interior.
For a smooth visa and residency registration via the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Interior, you must present well-organized paperwork. They include;
Valid Kenyan passport
- Certified police clearance certificate
- Notarized academic and professional certificates
- Comprehensive medical certificate
- Proof of financial stability
- Official passport-sized photographs
2. Customs and Import Rules for Jordan
You can ship your personal household effects from Kenya to Jordan totally duty-free. However, you must show that they’re for personal use to secure standard approval from the Jordan Customs Department.
If you’re a diplomat or moving for an international NGO role, you automatically qualify for a full exemption as long as you import everything within 6 months of arriving.
To get your belongings through Jordan Customs without experiencing delays or unexpected fees, it’s advisable to have all your paperwork in order. The Kingdom is strict with physical inspections, so having these important documents ready is vital for a hassle-free clearance:
- Detailed packing list
- Bill of Lading
- Jordanian customs import declaration
- Passport copy
- Valid Jordanian residence permit or diplomatic credentials
- Marine insurance certificate
- Letter of employment (for expatriate exemptions)
3. The Step-by-Step Moving Process
Free Home Survey and Quotation
Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.
The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.
Documentation and Planning
Once you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents, including Jordanian Customs Import Declaration, packing lists, and Bill of Lading instructions with the guidance of your move coordinator.
Professional Packing
Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.
Loading and Transportation to Port
Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under our supervision. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.
International Transit
Your shipment will travel to Aqaba (sea) or Amman Airport (air). Sea transit takes 18–26 days, while air freight takes 3–5 days. Once dispatched, you will receive your Bill of Lading and tracking details.
Destination Customs Clearance
Our destination partner handles all import customs clearance including Jordanian Customs Import Declaration submission, duty assessment (if applicable), and port release — coordinating directly with you on delivery timing.
Delivery to Your New Home
Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address in Jordan. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances.
Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.
The Best Movers to Jordan: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Planning and executing an international move from Kenya to Jordan can be a tedious and overwhelming task. This is especially true when you’re unfamiliar with Jordanian customs requirements and the shipping logistics involved. To ensure a smooth transition free from preventable mishaps, it’s advisable to hire an experienced international moving company.
Nellions Moving and Relocations Company is an IAM-certified mover that provides expert packing, customs agency services, and door-to-door delivery to simplify your move. With Nellions as your moving partner, your move from Kenya to Jordan can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Contact us today on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to book your free home survey and moving quote.
Frequently Asked Questions – Moving from Kenya to Jordan
A: Sea freight from Mombasa to Aqaba (sea) or Amman Airport (air) takes 18–26 days. Total door-to-door including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, destination port clearance, and final delivery is typically 6–10 weeks. Air freight takes 3–5 days flight time.
A: Key documents include: a detailed packing list, Bill of Lading, Jordanian Customs Import Declaration, passport copy, valid Jordan residence or immigration documentation, and a marine insurance certificate. Nellions prepares all documentation as part of a full-service move.
A: Yes. Nellions coordinates all destination customs clearance through our established partner network in Jordan. Our destination agents handle Jordanian Customs Import Declaration submission, import duty assessment, and port-to-home delivery — so you do not need to manage this yourself.
A: Yes. Nellions arranges vehicle shipping from Kenya to Jordan either via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels or in a container. A separate vehicle quotation is provided. Import duties, registration requirements, and any vehicle modifications required in Jordan will be advised by our destination agent.
