Validity of Gazans’ temporary passports extended to 5 years

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to extend the validity of Gazans’ temporary passports from two to five years, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Among several economic measures, the government has recently decided to raise the renewal fees of passports for Gazan residents in Jordan from JD25 to JD200.

The decision requires Gazans to pay JD200 for issuing a passport and JD200 for renewing the passport every two years. Similar dues must be paid when the passport is expired, damaged or lost for the first time.

The Cabinet’s decision also include a 10-year validity for driving licences, the right to own two vehicles, in addition to the validity of passports, which was increased from two to five years after the second renewal, with the same duration approved for ID cards.

The Council of Ministers also noted its decision on June 1, 2016 that exempted residents who hold temporary passports including Gazans from work permit fees.

For Arab Israeli pilgrims, the Cabinet decided to exempt them from additional fees on Jordanian temporary passports, usually issued for them to enter Saudi Arabia for Hajj or umra, the greater and lesser Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

During its meeting, the Council of Ministers also decided to cancel dual fees on meat and poultry, which represents cancelling JD5million in revenues to help reduce their prices as basic commodities, according to Petra.

The government approved a amendments to the by-law on Hajj and umra affairs.

The by-law grants exceptions for cancer patients from Hajj application requirements, provided that a medical report is submitted.