Jordan announced last week that it would waive overstay fees for Iraqis wanting to leave the Kingdom, who had been in the country illegally. Around half a million Iraqi refugees are in Jordan, the majority of whom remain in the country as 'guests' without formal status.

Most refugees have overstayed their visas by several years, reported the Interior Ministry, amassing fines of thousands of dollars each. There is a fee of 1.50 Jordan Dinar (US$ 2) for each day of overstay.

But some refugees remain sceptical about the offer, believing it to be an incentive for Iraqis to leave Jordan. Only those Iraqis who return home or leave to a third country are exempt from the fines. Those wishing to stay in the Kingdom have only two months to pay 50 per cent of their dues if they to avoid becoming permanently ineligible to be considered for residency status in the future.

'Most Iraqi refugees face enormous financial pressures, and World Vision welcomes this announcement that brings much needed relief to many families,' said Tracey Hunter, Jordan Programme Director. 'But many of those Iraqis who remain in Jordan continue to face the threat of fines which they simply cannot pay, and there is a risk that this initiative will encourage families to return to Iraq before it is safe to do so.'

The Government of Iraq voiced its support of the initiative after petitioning Jordan last month to waive the fees for its citizens.

World Vision has been working with Iraqi Refugees in Jordan since early 2007. Through local partners, it has assisted the refugees with supplementary feeding, healthcare, and informal education and psychosocial support for the refugee children. World Vision published several reports on the Iraqi Refugee situation in the Middle east. For more info see: www.iraqichildrentrapped.org