Israeli passport

The Israeli passport is one of the most recognizable in the world: a booklet with a dark blue cover featuring a seven-branched menorah. In 2023, it ranked 23rd globally in terms of mobility and provides visa-free travel opportunities to nearly 160 countries. However, the appeal of the Israeli passport lies not only in the freedom of movement. Along with this document, a person gains the benefits of living in a developed democratic country.

Israeli law provides for two types of foreign passports: the Darkon (in Hebrew, ‏דַּרְכּוֹן – travel document) and the Lesse-Passe (in Hebrew, תעודת מעבר), as well as one type of internal passport – the Teudat Zehut (in Hebrew, תעודת זהות). Each document verifies the identity of the holder and their status as an Israeli citizen.

Benefits of holding an Israeli passport

One of the countries with high living standards is Israel. The full range of benefits of citizenship guarantees an Israeli passport.

This document allows you to:

• cross the borders of 161 countries without a visa;
• receive decent living conditions;
• use high-quality medical services;
• have better prospects for employment;
• get diplomas from local universities recognized by the world community (although tuition is paid, there is an opportunity to receive state grants and participate in scholarship projects);
• receive financial assistance from the state to address issues of settling and adaptation in the country;
• receive assistance and assistance in solving housing issues from Israeli ministries;
• they will study Hebrew for free in ulpans – the right to study remains for 10 years, and the free language study itself lasts 6 months.

There are 3 types of identity documents in Israel:

They confirm that the owners belong to the number of Israeli citizens. With Teudat Maavar and Darkon, there are no problems identifying a person during trips abroad. The last change in the format of the internal passport was adopted in 2017 – Teudat Zehut became biometric. It is necessary in such situations as:

One of the most important and relevant aspects of the registration of Israeli citizenship is the issue of obtaining a foreign passport. The WRAI offers assistance to citizens with Jewish roots in obtaining citizenship of Israel. When contacting citizenship specialists, each client receives:

Grounds for obtaining Israeli Passport

Obtaining an Israeli passport is a significant step for those who qualify for Israeli citizenship. The passport grants access to numerous benefits, including visa-free travel to many countries and the privileges associated with holding citizenship in a democratic, developed nation. Whether through birth, repatriation, or naturalization, the process of obtaining an Israeli passport reflects one’s connection to the state of Israel and its laws. While the path to citizenship may vary, the advantages of holding an Israeli passport remain highly valued.

How can one obtain an Israeli passport? Here are all the options:

• Birth on the territory of the country
• Marriage to a citizen of the country
• Working for the government
• Naturalization
• Repatriation
• Adoption
• Having parents with citizenship
• Special conditions for exceptional services or based on direct investments

WRAI can assist you in obtaining an Israeli passport by guiding you through the application process. Whether you’re a new repatriate or someone eligible for citizenship, the company offers professional support in navigating the necessary steps, paperwork, and legal requirements. With their expertise, you can ensure a smoother experience in acquiring your Israeli passport, benefiting from their knowledge of the system and personalized assistance tailored to your situation.

How to apply for an Israeli Passport

The process begins by scheduling an appointment with the Population and Immigration Authority, either through their website or via the MyVisit app. Scheduling can often be challenging due to limited availability. During the appointment, you will need to present your Teudat Zehut (Israeli identity card) and other required documents, if applicable. Biometric data will also be collected. After submitting the application, the waiting period for the passport may vary but usually takes several weeks. The document will be delivered by mail or courier. Once received, the passport must be activated before use.

Teudat Zehut

Teudat Zehut is an identity card used within the country. It is typically issued directly by the Ministry of Interior. There are two types of internal identification: regular and biometric, similar to a driver’s license. All such cards have a unique nine-digit identification number. Israeli citizens’ ID cards are blue, with bilingual inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew on the margins.

Like any identity card, Teudat Zehut includes the main information about the owner:

At the moment, new repatriates are issued a temporary Teudat Zeut for 3 months right at Ben-Gurion Airport. Just like the Teudat Oleh (a temporary repatriation certificate for the entire family). Then, after people leave the airport, the next day or a little later they go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where they issue biometrics in order to get a permanent Teudat Zeut, which is issued for 10 years, and a foreign passport.

After new repatriates have lived in Israel for a year (immediately after repatriation) the are eligible to apply for a Darkon. And this Darkon is given to them for 5 years after a year of residence in Israel. Permanent biometric documents are only issued to individuals with Israeli citizenship.

What needs to be done to obtain an Israeli internal passport?

1. Schedule an appointment with the Population and Immigration Authority. This can be done through the MyVisit app.
2. Attend your appointment at the Ministry of Interior at the scheduled time. You will need to answer standard questions and submit biometric data. Bring your passport application and the documents you submitted for the consular check.

It is hard to say how long it will take to receive the document. There are currently long queues at Ministry of Interior offices. Previously, the Teudat Zehut was issued 14 days after submitting the application, but now the waiting period is at least 6 weeks. After receiving the document, it must be activated.

Darkon

The Darkon is an official document that certifies the identity of an Israeli citizen abroad. The holder of a Darkon can enter around 160 countries without obtaining a visa. The passport issuance procedure has changed significantly three times in the past five years. According to the 2020 regulation, new citizens were able to get their first Darkon for a period of 1 year. Subsequent passports depend on the repatriate’s total time in the country and citizenship duration. To obtain a 10-year Darkon, one must have been a repatriate for at least 5 years and spent 65% or more of their time in Israel. An international standard document confirms the identity of individuals outside their native country. It is a blue-colored document. The title page features an embossed golden national emblem.

On the information page of the passport, in addition to the full-face photo of the document owner, there is a code for the scan, which is monitored when crossing the border. Information is also included:

Both native citizens and repatriates can obtain a foreign passport. Until recently, repatriates could receive a Darkon three months after the repatriation process.

Starting from this date, all new repatriates applying for their first foreign passport are only eligible for a Lesse-Passe. They will be able to apply for a Darkon (valid for 1 year) only after 365 days from the date of repatriation, provided they have spent 75% of that time residing in Israel.

An Israeli who has obtained citizenship in accordance with the “Law of Return” and has not been in Israel for most of the year will not be able to get a Darkon again. If the Darkon period has expired, then the consular department issues an Israeli Teudat Maavar passport for a period of 5 years. You can re-apply for Darkon only if you are in Israel most of the time.

To obtain citizenship and subsequently receive a Darkon, future repatriates must go through a long and challenging process, starting with gathering documents and ending with consular checks. Unfortunately, the result is not always positive.

Lesse Passe

The Lesse Passe is a travel document for Israeli citizens, valid for 5 years. It can be obtained either in Israel or at the consulate of the country of origin (only non-biometric passports can be issued at the consulate). Its ‘authority’ is somewhat more limited than the Darkon — with the Teudat Maavar, you can visit about 60 countries without a visa.

If a repatriate plans to move to Israel for permanent residence, they can apply for a Darkon one year after repatriation and continuous residence in the country (initially for 1 year, then after another year for 5 years, and eventually for 10 years). Holders of this passport have visa-free access to about 160 countries. However, if the repatriate does not intend to reside permanently in Israel, they will be eligible for a Teudat Maavar, with the number of visa-free countries reduced to around 60.

The Lesse Passe is a red-colored paper document with 32 pages. While it offers fewer visa-free travel options, it still allows travel throughout most of Europe and other popular tourist destinations. It also provides easy access to obtaining a U.S. visa for up to 10 years and retains all repatriation benefits.

Please note that once the Darkon or Lesse-Passe expires, they need to be renewed. In this case, the Ministry of Interior will decide which document to issue based on your length of stay in Israel. If you have not spent enough time in Israel within the past 365 days, you will be issued a Teudat Maavar instead of a Darkon.