Private health providers upbeat as visa rules change

AMMAN — The amended regulations governing the issuance of medical treatment visa were published in the Official Gazette on Thursday and, accordingly, went into force.

The eased restrictions are aimed to encourage medical tourism, in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Law No. 3 of 1997 and its amendments. The amendments also apply to restricted nationalities who seek treatment in Jordan.

Under the decision, approved by the Cabinet, the patients of restricted nationalities can apply for the permit entry visas through the websites of the Interior Ministry or diplomatic missions, air carriers, accredited transport operators or licensed travel and tourism companies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

For the patients residing in the Kingdom, permits for permanent residency can be submitted by the licensed Jordanian healthcare units or the patient directly to the Interior Ministry or through its website.

As per the new decision, the visa will be valid for three or six months, allowing several entries for cases that need a follow-up, Petra added.

The accredited healthcare units have to deposit JD10,000 as a bank guarantee to ensure that visa holders depart the country.

The new regulations have introduced, for the first time, a coordination mechanism among the Public Security Department’s borders and residency offices, the office of medical tourism services and Jordanian hospitals to receive patients and improving the situation of Jordan as a regional medical treatment hub.

Private Hospitals Association President Fawzi Hammouri commended in a press statement the new changes, especially the one pertaining to visa procedures that allow patients of restricted nationalities seeking medical treatment in Jordan and their accompanying persons to receive their permits from different spots. He said such measures are expected to help increase the number of foreign patients coming to Jordan for treatment and boosting the Kingdom’s medical tourism along with the other sectors.

Hammouri also called on speeding up the circulation of the new regulations on the Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad and relevant parties to give the patients greater access to information.