The Step-By-Step Aliyah Process

The Jewish people had been in exile from their homeland for many years. Now the people are residing all over the world, but there is still a chance to return to their homeland. With Aliyah, every Jew can return to Israel.

Aliyah in Israel: A program for foreigners

“Aliyah” is translated from the Hebrew word for “Return”. In biblical times, the word denoted the return journey from the Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem.

To make it easier for new residents to adapt to the country – the Israeli government has created several special programs that include material assistance, temporary housing and intensive Hebrew learning.

Main programs:

If a repatriate comes to his homeland, but does not have a place to live – he can use absorption and get a temporary place of residence free of charge. The Ministry of Aliyah includes a municipal absorption, through which one can find a place to live, get children educated, enroll in a hospital and start looking for a permanent job. Support is provided by a special mentor who introduces the repatriate to the new life system.

Steps of repatriation

Our agency has partnered with the Jewish Agency, which helps with repatriation in 10 simple steps.

Step №1 application for Aliyah

Before you carry out your repatriation – you must prepare and execute all necessary documents for the process. Registration takes place through filling out immigrant visa request . You will be able to upload copies of all necessary documents on your own, proving your right to repatriationз. These documents will also be used to determine your status with the Jewish Agency. A special consultant will accompany you throughout the process, so that no mistakes are made.

Step №2 Making an appointment with The Repatriation Department

You will have to act through the global Sohnut or Jewish agency and they apply there, where they are assigned a supervisor who contacts them, asks them to provide copies of documents and then sets a date for an interview, which can take place either on-line or in person (depends on the repatriate’s place of residence).

Step №3 Interview by Aliyah Shaliach

At the interview, you will need to present real documents, which will be returned to you immediately after the review. Once all the documents are collected and the application is complete – a personal repatriation counselor will make contact with the Jewish embassy and arrange a future interview.

Step №4 Approved Aliyah

Nativ in Israel approves Aliyah according to all the necessary criteria set by the Israeli government. People from the agency will contact you and tell you directly that you are eligible to make Aliyah. They will confirm your status, at the expense of all family history.

Step №5 Obtain a visa to repatriate to the country

The Jewish Agency will sent you instructions for next steps. You will get a visa to continue your repatriation process. The document takes no more than 14 days to be issued. The time depends on the place of residence and time of year. Once issued, the visa is valid for 6 months.

Step №6 Aliyah Flight

A big plus between Nefesh b’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency is the flight to Israel. Together they arrange a one-way flight. You, as a repatriate, board a regular Nefesh flight and fly to your home country.

Once you receive the necessary authorization from the agency, you can obtain a flight pass for Aliyah. This authorization is provided by the Nefesh B’Nefesh flight department. They will contact you and offer to assist with submitting a flight request. You will be able to review all available flight options and select the most suitable one.

Step №7 Open/activate a bank account

Choose any bank convenient for you and open an account in shekels. Enter the amount required to activate the account. Find out from the employee what conditions and benefits you are entitled to as a new immigrant.

Step №8 Sign up for the Health Insurance Fund (if you did not do so at the airport)

After paying the entry fee by mail (approximately 15 shekels for each family member), you will be recorded at the selected cash desk. At the post office you will receive a document confirming the registration and at the branch of the health insurance fund closest to you you can get a magnetic membership card.

Step №9 Register at the local branch of the Ministry of Absorption

Contact the branch of the Ministry of Absorption in your city and arrange the monthly payments of the Absorption Basket and enroll in Ulpan (Hebrew Studies Courses).

Step №10 Apply for a land tax relief (for repatriates renting housing)

As a new immigrant, you are entitled to a significant reduction in your Arnon tax (up to 90% on the first 100 sq.m of living space) within 12 months, in the first 2 years from the date of repatriation. This benefit is issued in the city municipality.

Who can benefit from aliyah

The Law of Return defines a Jew as someone who was born of a Jewish mother and has not adopted any other faith. Aliyah is also available to those who have converted to Judaism. More recently, the law expanded the list of those eligible for repatriation and official citizenship: 

• Children and grandchildren (even adopted);
• Legal spouses or widowers of Jews who did not marry again;
• Spouses of children and grandchildren;

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration have existed in Israel since the beginning of the state. Now, after many changes of name, the Ministry is called the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption of Israel.

It is difficult to prepare for an interview and to do all the paperwork yourself, so it is advisable to enlist the help of an expert.

Here are the types of assistance offered by the state to all immigrants to Israel:

There are several other functions that the government has created for returnees. On the website of the ministry, you can see all the information about assistance. To get a visa and live in your native land – it is important to turn to professionals who will help in preparation.

What documents will be required for Aliyah

The immigration program in Israel is closely linked to the origin of the Jews. It is for this reason, first of all, it is necessary to confirm Jewish roots. The best and most verified proof is a document that states a person’s nationality. Such documents are usually hard to find.

Synagogues in Israel often keep records, but if nationality is not listed or if Jewish relatives lived a very long time ago, metric books can help. In them you can find information about relatives and provide it as a document.

Contact WRAI for assistance and comprehensive support

Obtaining Israeli citizenship is quite a complicated process. Our experts fully accompany the repatriate at every stage of obtaining: from collecting documents to obtaining an Israeli passport.

You will learn the schedule of visits to all the authorities and all the rules that must be respected. Specialists will help you pass the interview on the first try. You will not have to look for accommodation on your own. We will help you find invisibility in any place in Israel, taking into account all your preferences and financial capabilities.

In Israel, there is private health insurance, and clients are served only by the best doctors and clinics. Our staff will help you choose a good insurance company and policy, and solve all medical problems.

That’s why you should choose us:

• Professionalism: Comprehensive support in document search and financial consultations.
• Trust: Trusted by dozens of Jewish communities worldwide.
• Reliability: The majority of our clients successfully relocate to Israel.
• Experience: Over 3,700 families have already obtained Israeli citizenship with our assistance.

Submit your application or call us, and we will help you successfully complete all 10 steps to obtain Israeli citizenship.