Jordan grants entry visas to Iraq refugees

Amman: Jordan has granted entry visas to almost 17,000 Iraqis, after the imposed visa requirement rule came into effect in May.

The visa law is part of a bigger plan to deal with the flood of people coming in from its violence-ravaged neighbour.

At least 3,000 Iraqis left the country after the government ignored their unpaid fines, in order to encourage the refugees to go home.

Iraqis residing in Jordan are supposed to apply for residency permits, without which they will be considered illegal after a three month period, and could also be fined on departure.