Permanent residence in Israel

A residency in Israel gives its holder the opportunity to enjoy virtually all the rights of citizens of the country – with the exception of voting and working in government positions.

At the same time, as a permanent resident, a foreigner in Israel continues to enjoy all tax and social benefits. Read on and we will tell you who can claim it, whether you can count on it if you have no Jewish roots, what documents are required, and finally, what happens if you lose the status.

Eligibility for PR in Israel

Permanent residency may be applied for by the following groups of persons:

Residency options for non-Jewish applicants

For people without Jewish roots, the most obvious (and easy) way to obtain status is to marry a Jew living in Israel. It’s also important to remember that officials from the Interior Ministry and the Population and Immigration Authority will look closely at each application, so it’s essential to have as much evidence as possible to prove the marriage is genuine.

This is fine if you’re planning to study at a primary, secondary, religious, or accredited higher education institution, as well as those run by the Jewish Agency. To get started, you’ll need to provide a letter of enrollment from a recognized educational center, proof of funds to stay in the jurisdiction, and proof of payment for the first academic year’s fees.

Finally, you can also look into religious and missionary activities, although this option might not be suitable for everyone. An A3 visa is issued for entry and stay on this basis. In this case, you’ll need to submit the application to the Ministry of Interior. Once you’ve received authorization (and if the decision was a positive one at all), the consulate or diplomatic mission will issue the visa. The Ministry of the Interior decides how long you can stay in Israel on this visa.

How to apply for PR in Israel

In general, the process of obtaining permanent residency is as follows:

1. Preparation of the dossier and application – on the official website of the Population and Immigration Authority you can download an application form to fill out. There’s also a package of documents to be prepared. We’ll explain what kind of documents you’ll need to put together below.
2. Submitting the application – the procedure for registering the application and its content depends entirely on the very category of residence permit. In some cases it is submitted by the visitor himself, in others – by his employer, etc. There is a fee to be paid when visiting the authorities – just take this into account.
3. Obtaining a permanent residency – applications submitted to the Consulate will definitely be processed, yet the time varies depending on the type of permit. It can take up to a week: the officer will notify the applicant when the decision is made and ready to go.

For instance, the fee for returnees (type A1 permit, valid for five years, processed by the Jewish Agency and the consulate) is around 190 shekels, while other applicants pay 200 shekels each. There are a few other small expenses related to preparing documents. It’s important to be prepared for this. And if you have professionals helping you with the procedure, you’ll have to pay them separately.

Required documents for PR

The paperwork you need will depend on why you’re applying for the residence permit. The basic set, which covers the most categories, looks like this:

The full actual list of documents is specified in the authorized body, as it varies depending on the situation. Also, employees do have the right to request additional data at their discretion. If it is a question of obtaining the status for a child, the consent of parents or guardians must also be attached to all the above documents. And do not forget about the birth certificate.

Benefits of PR in Israel

Once you get a long-term visa, you’ll find yourself with a whole new set of possibilities. For instance, you’ll have access to top-notch medical care, social benefits, and quality education. The residency also allows you to work legally and to claim an allowance, which is paid automatically when you reach a certain age, as long as you’ve lived in the country for at least two years.

How Israel permanent residency differs from citizenship

There are a few key differences between PR estimation and citizenship. Citizens are entitled to vote and receive a passport, which is also known as a Darkon. A resident, on the other hand, gets an ID card, also known as a Teudat Zehut.

What’s more, it’s pretty tough to lose your citizenship. In some cases, it’s even impossible. But it’s not that difficult to lose PR status. For instance, if the holder leaves Israel for an extended period and (or) changes their center of life, settling in another state, there’s a chance he or she will lose it. Anyways, more on this a little later. In general, a passport gives much more rights than a residence permit, but it also imposes new obligations. Therefore, for those repatriates who are not yet ready for full immigration, there is an opportunity to apply for a habitat permit to assess the country, justify and make a final decision.

Renewal of permanent residency status

Depending on the type of temporary residence, the status can be valid from 12 months to 5 years. Renewal is carried out through the department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

What happens if you lose your PR status

The worst part is that it can lead to the loss of certain rights and privileges. For instance, you could forfeit the right to vote or access to government services and programs. It could also be tricky to return and regain status in the future. The main consequences of loosing the permanent residency status are:

• Loss of right to live in the country: you lose your legal right to live, work, and study in the Israel.
• Deportation: if your PR status is revoked, you may be placed in removal proceedings.
• Loss of benefits: any government benefits tied to PR, such as healthcare or certain legal protections, repatriation benefits — will no longer be available.
• Impact on family: If family members depend on your PR status for their own, they may also face status issues.