Jordan's Minister of Transport and Minister of Labor Nidal Qatamin decided to extend working hours at several labor directorates across the country. The decision aims to facilitate the regularization process for foreign workers. The extended hours are effective starting Sunday, September 12, 2026, and will continue through Wednesday, September 30, 2026. This measure is intended to provide more opportunities for foreign laborers to complete necessary procedures within the designated timeframe. The Ministry of Labor emphasized that this initiative is a direct response to the ongoing demand for regularization services and aims to ensure that all eligible workers and their employers can complete the required administrative steps.
Expanded Service Locations
Extended working hours will be implemented across several key labor directorates within Amman, specifically encompassing North Amman, East Amman, and South Amman. These strategically located offices are expected to serve a significant portion of the capital's foreign worker population. In addition to these main directorates, the Domestic Workers Directorate, which is located in the Abdali area, is also included in this extension, recognizing the specific needs of household employers and their workers. The Amman Chamber of Commerce Labor Office will also extend its operating hours, providing an additional point of service for businesses and individuals. Beyond the capital, the initiative extends to labor directorates in the governorates of Karak, Irbid, and Mafraq. This broad expansion of service points aims to accommodate a larger number of foreign workers seeking to regularize their status within the specified timeframe, ensuring accessibility across different regions of Jordan. The additional locations are part of a wider effort to streamline the regularization process and ensure accessibility for workers across various sectors and geographical areas. The Minister noted the importance of decentralizing these services to reach as many beneficiaries as possible before the regularization deadline.
Facilitating Worker Status Adjustment
The decision to extend operating hours aims to facilitate procedures for both employers and household employers, according to the Ministry of Labor. This measure comes amidst a reported high demand from applicants seeking to regularize the status of foreign workers. The extended hours are intended to provide additional time slots for processing applications and addressing inquiries, thereby streamlining the overall regularization process. This accommodation seeks to ensure that all necessary paperwork can be completed efficiently, assisting those responsible for employing foreign labor in meeting compliance requirements. The Ministry stated that the increased accessibility is a direct response to the current volume of requests for worker status adjustments, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting both the workforce and employers. By easing the procedural burden, the Ministry hopes to achieve a higher rate of regularization, contributing to a more organized and compliant labor market.
Context and Deadline Pressure
Working hours are extended until 5 p.m. At the designated labor directorates, offering several additional hours each day for processing applications. This extension provides additional time for individuals to complete the necessary administrative steps for foreign worker regularization. The Ministry of Labor's initiative comes as the deadline for the regularization and status adjustment of non-Jordanian workers approaches. The extended operating hours aim to accommodate the volume of applications and ensure that employers and foreign workers have sufficient opportunity to comply with the requirements before the final date of Wednesday, September 30, 2026. This measure shows the government's effort to manage the regularization process efficiently amidst high demand, preventing a last-minute rush and potential bottlenecks. The Ministry urges all concerned parties to utilize these extended hours to finalize their regularization procedures without delay.
