Changing Your Status in Israel to a New Immigrant

Only for those changing their status, but not for those who already have an Israeli ID obtained while making Aliyah

To change your status you will need to find the nearest branch of the Ministry of Interior, Misrad Hapanim. Choose the one nearest to your registered address, otherwise you may be denied service.

You will need original documentation¹ such as: Your current passport and visa slip (entry-departure slip), that you received upon entry into Israel.

According to the law of return almost any Jew will be accepted as a citizen and any non- Jew if he fulfills the criterion of the laws pertaining to his status.

You may have to write a statement explaining why you wish to make Aliyah.

Do not forget to bring with you: Original Passport and at least 3 passport photos for each member of the family, including yours.

It may be obvious, but better to be reminded, you need to bring EVERY family member who is requesting citizenship.

For Jewish Applicants Only

You will have to prove you are Jewish. This can be done in different ways such as:

• Presenting your original ketubah or that of your parents
   
• A letter of recommendation from your congregational rabbi
   
• If you are divorced, you will need your GET
   
• Any kind or documentation concerning the burial of parents or grandparents in a Jewish Cemetery
   
• If you were born in Israel, or born to an Israeli parent, and do not have an ID number please contact the Ministry and ask what additional documentation you may need.
   
• For those who converted²:
  • Conversion papers
     
  • A letter of recommendation from the Rabbi who converted you
     
  • A letter from the MOHEL (circumcision) - women are exempted
     
  • Information on the Bet Din, including names and contact details

For Single or Divorced Parents

If you are making Aliyah with a child, but you are a single parent or divorced, please be aware that you will also need a notarized letter signed by the child`s other parent stating that your child (for minors under 18 only) has been granted permission to be in Israel.

Challenges and Potential Problems

The process is relatively short, taking one or even two months, and being patient is advised. Besides bureaucracy and waiting in line you may find that one visit to the Ministry is not enough and you might be asked to bring in more documents, etc. When they have completed their investigation and issued their decision, you can then return to the Ministry of Interior and ask for your ID card (Teudat Zeut). You may receive the ID card on the spot or just a “slip” with the number, in which case The Ministry will send you the ID card later.

It may be a while until the clerk fills out all the forms, ask for pictures, etc, but in the end you will be a New Immigrant – Oleh Chadash!

No!  Not a citizen of the State of Israel, not yet.

The citizenship will come later, it is an automatic process. If you decide that you do not wish to be a citizen, you must ask not to become a citizen³ before the end of the three month period following the issuance of your ID number. This requires a declaration be filed at the Ministry of Interior. You will then receive the status of “Permanent Resident” (Toshav Keva).

Frequent Visitors

If you are one of those people VISITING ISRAEL TOO OFTEN , additional complications could arise. It is recommended that you contact a lawyer in advance to discuss potential problems and solutions.
 

I hope this very short introduction will be helpful to you. Please contact us in any case of doubts.

Sincerely,
 

Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law

¹    It is highly recommended to keep copies with you

²    I will not go into details but if you converted with a non-Orthodox Rabbi, you will have a difficult time convincing the State of Israel to accept you as a Jewish citizen.

³    You will not have the right to vote or be elected in National Elections or the right to be employed permanently as a civil servant. You will not be eligible to receive an Israeli passport but can have a permanent visa in your passport (from the country of origin). Yes, the law concerning compulsory service in the IDF is the same for a citizen or a Permanent Resident.