Israeli citizenship

Israeli citizenship offers many opportunities, including greater freedom of movement, economic opportunities and access to high quality education and health care. Therefore, the number of people seeking Israeli citizenship increases year by year. People from all over the world change their place of residence for economic, social and political reasons. Comfortable climatic conditions, a high standard of living, a low crime rate, the desire to live in the historical homeland are just some of the reasons for repatriation to Israel. The data for 2022 is twice the number of people who entered the country in 2021. It happens despite the fact that the procedure is gradually becoming more complicated. For example, an application consideration in an emergency order is impossible now.

Self-repatriation can take up to three years. The process is delayed mainly due to the search for documents, which can be the most difficult step. In addition, the path of repatriation depends on the country from which the person is repatriated – so, for example, Americans get a visa through a supervisor in Nefesh b’ Nefesh, and Europeans through a supervisor in the global Sokhnut. Getting an interview at the Jewish Agency is not an easy task either.

There is no exact list of required documents, as each case is unique, so it will be request of specific documents based on the individual circumstances.

Who can apply for israeli citizenship

According to the Law of Return, every Jew has the right to repatriation and Israeli citizenship. The law applies to:

• Halachic Jews – those born to a Jewish mother.
• Children and descendants of Jews up to the third generation are eligible to repatriate to Israel under the Law of Return. This includes descendants of both maternal and paternal Jewish grandparents. While Jewish identity according to Jewish law is passed down through the maternal line, for repatriation purposes, eligibility can be through either a Jewish grandparent, whether maternal or paternal.
• Spouses of Jews, their children, and grandchildren.
• Widows and widowers of Jews who have not remarried.

How to get citizenship in Israel

There is an opinion that Israeli citizenship is transmitted with the blood of ancestors. But it should be borne in mind that this applies to a maximum of three generations. It is not surprising that for many people with Jewish roots, becoming a citizen of the state is a cherished dream. There may be a number of difficulties associated with the confirmation of the right to repatriation.

If the question arises: how to get Israeli citizenship, first of all you need to refer to the legislation of the country. According to the current laws, Israeli citizenship can be obtained in several ways. What they include: birth or descent, naturalization, marriage.

Citizenship by birth or adoption

According to the current laws, every child whose parent is a Jew has eligibility for Israeli citizenship. Persons who have not been officially married or who are not living together at the time of the child’s birth may face difficulties in registration. If controversial issues are identified, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has the right to request the provision of additional evidence. Most often they are asked to do a DNA test. Note that DNA-test is not direct proof of Jewishness. It does not make any sense to take it on your own.

Children of Jews who have been officially adopted are eligible for getting Israeli citizenship as a jew. Children who have not reached the age of majority have the right to Israeli citizenship through parents. To do this, the child’s representative must submit an appropriate application. A package of documents must be submitted to the local administration where immigration issues are resolved:

• the identifier of the legal representative;
• passports of the applicant and the child;
• notarized consent of both parents;
• a request for citizenship.

Adult children who were born outside the state have the right to obtain Israeli citizenship through a parent. They must have proof that their mother or father is Jewish. Also, proof of citizenship will be required for persons who have reached the age of 18-22 years, born on the territory of the country.

Citizenship by descent

Repatriation involves returning to the country and getting Israeli citizenship by descent. You will need to provide proof of origin for it. Also, a citizen will need to undergo a mandatory procedure, as a result of which he will receive confirmation of his status.

If the question arises: can any jew get Israeli citizenship, then the answer to it will not be unambiguous. The legislation allows all Jews up to the third generation and under the law of Halakha to become an oleh citizen of Israel. Who has the right to do it:

• children and grandchildren;
• husbands/wives of Jewish children or grandchildren;
• former spouses who are widowed (provided that they have not remarried).

It is important to take into account some of the rules of Judaism, according to which the nationality Israeli is transmitted strictly through the maternal line. This means that the one whose mother is Jewish will be recognized as a Jew. At the same time, if the grandfather of a citizen had a different nationality, but his mother was Jewish, then a citizen with such roots has the right getting Israeli citizenship.

If you need to know how to become a citizen in Israel with confirmation of nationality, pay attention to the requirements you need to meet. Without them, the passport application form will not be approved.

According to the law on return, Israeli residency can be obtained:

1. Relatives of Jews who entered the country more than 53 years ago (before the date of 03/19/1970) and have a residence permit.
2. People who, for some reason, were not registered as representatives of Jewish nationality in the Register, but have proof that they are such.
3. People eligible by descent to become citizens of the country, but who have not received approval through the naturalization procedure.

Naturalization

Naturalization is a process called integration into Israeli society. The main requirements are:

In cases of naturalization, decisions are always guided by how beneficial the applicant can be for the country. People who become Israeli citizens through this method receive all political and civil rights. However, they are not entitled to the benefits and financial state allowances provided for new immigrants.

A fee of 170 shekels must be paid for submitting an application for consideration. Check with the official representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about its change.

Citizenship through marriage

Marriage ties are most often a guarantee of obtaining citizenship. If the husband or wife are Israel citizens, then their other half has the right to obtain it. A prerequisite will be the couple’s residence on the territory of the state for at least 5 years.

The marriage certificate plays a key role in the decision of the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The couple will be called annually for a conversation, during which they will try to identify the truth of the marriage bond. It is advisable to consult a specialist with experience in solving immigration issues for getting a positive answer when preparing for an interview.

The fact is, it is impossible to marry in Israel outside of religion: marriage registration is strictly within the framework of the Jewish community. Therefore, if you and your future spouse are not halachic Jews, you must marry in another country and then confirm the marriage in Israel.

For the first check at the Ministry of Interior, you will need the following documents:

• Marriage certificate or a rental agreement proving cohabitation.
• Spouse’s foreign passport.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Certificate confirming no previous marital relationships.

Other documents are also required for confirmation: joint photos, recommendations from neighbors, a written history of the relationship, and much more.

Dual Citizenship

Citizens of the country have the right to have a second passport without giving up the first one. As practice shows, holders of Israeli dual citizenship can position themselves as representatives of both states. In Israel, they can apply to any government agencies, open an account in the country, start working or work as a full-fledged resident.

Any repatriate receives an Israeli passport together with a valid visa upon entry into the country. From this moment, the fact of having dual citizenship is recorded. At the same time, the process of obtaining it, associated with the collection of documents and approval of the application, takes about a year. On an individual basis, the term can be increased or decreased.

Process of obtaining israeli citizenship

Jews from anywhere in the world can obtain Israeli citizenship through the repatriation process. The essence of the procedure is to prove one’s Jewish origin and return to their historical homeland. After the interview and examination of the documents that prove your Jewish origin, you will be issued a repatriate visa, after which you will be able to obtain an Israeli passport.

Steps to apply for citizenship

Required documents

There are two main groups of documents you will need to obtain citizenship.

How to fill out the application form

You will need to fill out the Israeli citizenship application form and indicate your interest in a positive result in accordance with section A4.

Oddly enough, the question can you get Israeli citizenship if you are Jewish is not considered unambiguous. To confirm nationality, you will need to provide documents with a completed column, which were issued before 1987. Personal data must match a valid passport.

To prove that a relative belongs to the Jewish, you will need to submit any official document in which there is a nationality column. They can be a person’s birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, passport +ID and even an extract from the house book.

Less significant evidence, which can also be taken into account, is considered a personal file at the place of study or work. Documents that indirectly indicate Jewish affiliation are accepted for consideration. Among them are certificates of burial at the Jewish cemetery and photos of a relative in national clothes.

Less significant evidence, which can also be taken into account, is considered a personal file at the place of study or work. Documents that indirectly indicate Jewish affiliation are accepted for consideration. Among them are certificates of burial at the Jewish cemetery and photos of a relative in national clothes.

Provided that at the time of the search for evidence of kinship, the relative is not alive, you will first need to obtain a death certificate. It is important to have a power of attorney from the nearest descendant (children, grandchildren).

Grounds and requirements for obtaining Israeli citizenship

The main basis for repatriation is the Law of Return. The most important condition is the documentary proof that the citizenship applicant falls under the provisions of this law.

For Jews

Every Jew who proves their roots and connection to relatives through the Jewish line has the right to Israeli citizenship. Jewish roots are not the only way to obtain Israeli citizenship. Without roots, obtaining an Israeli passport is more challenging, but still possible.

For Non-jews

There are three ways to become an Israeli citizen without Jewish roots:

1. Naturalization
   Meet the residency, language, and other requirements set by the Israeli government.
2. Marriage
   Marry an Israeli citizen and undergo the legal process of marriage recognition and residency requirements.
3. Giyur
   Giyur is the ritual of converting to Judaism. Preparing for it is a serious step that takes a lot of time and effort, as well as a deep understanding of Judaism and a sincere desire to join the religion. You need to immerse yourself deeply in Judaism and learn a lot of new information. By law, every Jew has the right to repatriate.

Benefits of Israel citizenship

Quality of life

Many young people seek dual citizenship to improve their quality of life, and Israel is an excellent choice for this purpose. The average salary in Israel is around $3,500 per month, which is approximately 11,000 shekels. Despite high property and utility costs, this income is sufficient for a comfortable living.

Strong passport

The main advantage of Israeli citizenship is visa-free travel to 161 countries. The list includes all of Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.

Healthcare

Israeli citizenship provides access to top-tier healthcare services. Israel is known for its high-quality medical care, and the country is among the top 20 nations with the highest number of centenarians, resulting in an average life expectancy of 82 years. Learn more about private health insurance in Israel.

Green passport

Due to the excellent healthcare system, 94% of the population is vaccinated, and many diseases have been eradicated. Since October 2021, there has been the possibility to obtain a green passport, which includes vaccination data against COVID-19. With this passport, you can access travel and public events, with vaccinations available from top global companies like Pfizer and Moderna.

Education

If you plan to move with your family, consider the education system, which is one of the best in the world. Israeli school and university diplomas are recognized globally, ensuring a bright future for your children.

Sea, sun, and beaches

A favorable climate is another advantage of obtaining Israeli citizenship. At the very least, you will have prestigious vacation spots near the sea, with three major seas in Israel: the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Dead Sea. At most, you will live in a warm climate where winter storms are unknown, and January temperatures range from +5 to +20°C, depending on the region.

Hospitality

The hospitality and friendliness of Israelis are felt immediately. New immigrants receive financial support: $850 monthly per person for six months. Locals also leave a positive impression, with a warm and generous Jewish mentality.

Israeli citizenship terminology

When repatriating, you need to be prepared for the terminology that will be required to organize life in a new place. The new returnees are usually called “Ole Hadash”. If you have repatriated, graduated from Ulpan, found a job, and are settling in the country, this term will definitely be familiar to you. Minors are called Katin , elderly people – Kashish.

Below are phrases whose meaning should be understood by every person who has a question how to obtain Israeli citizenship:

1. The Israeli passport, which is considered the main identity card, is Teudat Zehut.
2. To confirm the rights to benefits, a certificate of a new repatriate should be provided upon request. It is called Teudat Oleh.
3. Travel document granting the right to move – Teudat Maavar.
4. Darkon says that the person is a resident of Israel and it is only issued in Israel.
5. Official courses where you can improve your knowledge of Hebrew – Ulpan. They provide services for finding useful books.
6. The organization that supports repatriates from all over the world with cash payments at the initial stage is Sal Klita. By submitting an application, you can get an “Absorption basket”. Funds are provided for the period of study in Ulpan for 6 months.
7. The official name of the Israeli Ministry of the Interior is Misrad A-pnim.
8. Korot Chaim is a labor autobiography that will be required when looking for a job.
9. Mashkanta is a preferential loan for repatriates for housing purchase. Lending is carried out under the mandatory supervision and support of the Ministry of Finance of the country.
10. Bituach Leumi is engaged in the insurance of citizens and the payment of various types of benefits.
11. Kibbutz is an agricultural commune in Israel. Accommodation in it is accompanied by compliance with a number of rules. It has its own policy, as well as relations between residents. The main characteristics are community of property and equality in labor and consumption.
12. Terms related to health care. Each repatriate has the right to voluntarily choose the health insurance fund to which he will be attached: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit.

You may also need banking terminology:

Grounds to lose Israeli citizenship

In Israel, several conditions can result in the revocation of citizenship. Here are some of the common grounds:

• Voluntary renunciation. An individual may choose to give up their Israeli citizenship by filing an official renunciation form with the Ministry of Interior.
• Acts of disloyalty. Citizenship can be withdrawn if an individual commits acts of disloyalty to Israel, such as joining the military forces of an enemy nation or engaging in espionage against Israel.
• Fraudulent naturalization. If a person obtained Israeli citizenship through deceit, such as false information or fraudulent representation, their citizenship might be revoked.
• Conviction of terrorism or treason. Those found guilty of terrorism, treason, or spying against Israel can lose their citizenship.
• Failure to complete military service. Israeli citizens who avoid mandatory military service without a valid exemption may risk losing their citizenship.

Assistance with Israeli citizenship

A citizen who has no experience in dealing with immigration issues may face difficulties in passing the citizenship procedure. The powers of representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are wide, so they can deliberately create difficulties under various pretexts. Sometimes this is done specifically to prevent a situation in which individuals want to become citizens of Israel on illegal grounds.

Our specialists have extensive experience in the field of Israel legislation. We will help you prepare a package of documents that increases the chances of obtaining citizenship. Achieve your goals with us. We will do our best to ensure that each of our clients is satisfied with the result of cooperation.