Jordan imposes visa requirements on Iraqis
AMMAN (AFP) — Iraqis wanting to enter Jordan now have to have a visa as part of plans to stem a huge influx of refugees, the interior ministry announced on Thursday.
"The requirement for our Iraqi brothers to have visas came into effect on May 1," ministry spokesman Ziad al-Zohbi told AFP, adding that applications could be made through a courier service in Iraq or at Jordanian embassies.
Earlier this year Jordan announced plans to impose visa requirements on Iraqis in a bid to stem a huge influx of refugees that authorities estimate have cost more the kingdom than two billion dollars.
Between 500,000 and 750,000 Iraqi refugees live in Jordan -- an estimated 360,000 of them illegally.
The interior ministry said it would waive fines of 760 dollars per person per year for those illegals who are prepared to return to Iraq.
Jordan began tightening controls on its borders with its eastern neighbour after deadly attacks on Amman hotels by Iraqi suicide bombers in 2005 killed 60 people.
