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What you should know about immigration to Israel

August 20, 2024 114 Time to read: 6 min.

In the short period of its existence, the Israeli state has achieved tremendous success in all areas. This is one of the reasons why citizens of many countries who have even the slightest relation to the Jewish nationality strive for the Israel.

Immigrating to Israel won’t be very difficult for those who can easily prove Jewish roots on their mother’s side. But this is just one of the criteria that allow to obtain citizenship. To become an Israeli citizen based on other criteria, you need to study many nuances. Perhaps it is better for you to contact special companies that deal with migration problems.

Immigration Laws

All aspects of moving to the country can be found in the Immigration Act. According to it, a citizen of any state can come to Israel and reside here legally, subject to compliance with the requirements for naturalization and renunciation of current citizenship.

In addition, in 1952, a by-law “On Return” was adopted. It allows Jews to return to their historical homeland together with close relatives up to the third generation inclusive. That is, repatriation is available to partners, children and grandchildren who find themselves far from their homeland.

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    Citizenship Law: How to obtain Israeli citizenship

    A repatriate can obtain citizenship if he successfully passes the following stages:

    Preparation of documents. Their list is always individual. Documents are divided into two groups. The first includes those that can serve as proof of your involvement in the Jewish nationality. They give the right to repatriation. This list includes:

    • Documents confirming the facts of birth and marriage;
    • Documents on military service, labor activity, education level;
    • Documents containing information about relatives in Israel.

    The second group consists of the documents of the candidate for immigration to Israel and his family members. These include:

    • photographs of 3×4 size;
    • Internal and foreign passports, the validity of which expires no earlier than in six months;
    • birth certificates of family members;
    • Certificates of no criminal record for all family members over 14 years of age;
    • Passports of other countries, if any;
    • Documents on education.

    Meeting with the Consul. This procedure is not as simple as some applicants think of it. The Consul may ask difficult questions that you will not be able to answer. In order not to fail the procedure, use the services of experienced lawyers.

    Getting a visa. Successfully passing the consular check guarantees you a visa for six months.

    Paperwork in Israel. This is the last stage in which you will obtain an internal and foreign passport. After that, it remains to open a bank account and register with the Health Insurance Fund.

    Non-Jewish Immigration

    In the first years of repatriation, the emphasis was on inviting ethnic Jews. But over time, they created conditions for representatives of other nationalities to move to Israel. And so, in addition to Jews, Israeli citizenship available for:

    1. Persons who have tied their fate to an Israelite by legal marriage. The couple must pass a serious test of time. Every year for five years, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will come to visit and ask uncomfortable questions about their life together. Moreover, the spouses will be questioned in different rooms. If you can prove marital fidelity in five years of marriage, you will have your passport in the pocket.
    2. Foreigners who have converted to Judaism. This way requires a person to completely change his religious worldview. To become a citizen by religion, you need to study the Torah for a long time in order to successfully pass the exam in the rabbinical court. In addition, all applicants will undergo a dipping ritual. Men will be circumcised.
    3. Naturalized Israelis. This is the thorniest and riskiest way of moving to Israel. A number of requirements are imposed on a foreigner without Jewish roots: obtain a residence permit; buy real estate; have resided continuously in the state for 3 years; renounce your current citizenship.

    But even the fulfillment of all these conditions does not always guarantee success. A stimulating circumstance is service in the armed forces. The soldiers’ parents also have the preferential right to an Israeli passport. The country has a rule according to which foreigners can become citizens for exceptional services. Privileges are granted to foreigners who protected Jews during World War II. The imperfection of migration to Israel sometimes leads to paradoxical results. There was a case when the passengers of a Vietnamese boat that accidentally washed up on the shores of the Holy Land became citizens. The government sometimes gives citizenship to tourists just like that.

    Can Americans move to Israel?

    When moving to Israel from the US, the repatriation law also applies. Family and marital ties are important. Recall that the genealogy of the Jews comes from the mother. But there are some alternative means by which you can immigrate to Israel from the US.

    Even if your father is Jewish and your mother is of another nationality, as the son or daughter of a Jew, you have the right to Aliyah. This rule also applies to grandchildren.

    It’s interesting: why should people who live in prosperous and rich America move to Israel? Americans with Jewish roots give such answers to this question:

    • In the Promised Land medicine is high-tech, it is also much cheaper than in the US. Patients from many states of the world come to Israeli doctors ;
    • in the country there is a respectful attitude of people to each other, reverence for the elders, and adherence to family traditions. There are only few crimes here;
    • The country has high-quality food, a high level of affordable education.
    • The grounds for refusal to immigrate may be insufficient documentation, criminal past, change of religion by a Jew on his mother’s side.
    • There are a huge number of nuances when preparing for immigration. To quickly solve the problem of moving to your historical homeland, it is better to contact knowledgeable specialists.

    FAQ

    What are the advantages of parents of soldiers who served in the IDF?

    They can come to their children and live with them legally.

    Which non-Jews can easily immigrate to Israel?

    This right is granted to persons who defended Jews during World War II. The Ministry of Internal Affairs can give this privilege to someone who has made a special contribution to the country.

    Can I immigrate to Israelif I marry a Jewish woman?

    It’s not that simple. You must pass a probationary period to prove the seriousness of your relationship. A fictitious marriage can’t help to gain Jewish citizenship.

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