Israeli citizenship

Israeli citizenship can be obtained by right of repatriation if a person is Jewish or has Jewish roots. New citizens receive many advantages: free movement without a visa in most countries of the world, access to a high level of medicine and education, employment opportunities in high-tech industries and the right to protection from the state.

For foreigners who do not have Jewish roots, the procedure for obtaining citizenship by naturalization is available. It is possible through long-term residence, marriage with a citizen or special visas for experts. However, such a process takes considerable time and requires the fulfillment of a number of strict conditions.

Ways to obtain citizenship

Based on the current Laws «On Return» and «On Citizenship», Israel offers several ways to obtain citizenship for various categories of applicants. The main methods include:

• According to the repatriation program. It is based on the «Law of Return», which allows Jews, their spouses, children and grandchildren to return to their historical homeland.
• Through marriage to an Israeli citizen. Foreign spouses can apply for a passport by going through the naturalization process, which includes temporary residence in the country and confirmation of the authenticity of the marriage.
• By natural naturalization. You can obtain citizenship after living for a certain period of time in Israel legally. This is suitable for those who have a residence permit, work, study or live on other grounds.
• According to the family reunion program. This Citizenship law provides for close relatives of citizens or residents of Israel, including spouses and minor children.
• Through the Giyur rite (acceptance of Judaism). People who do not have Jewish roots can go through the process of adopting Judaism, which in certain cases can give a positive result when applying for residency.

Important 

In Israel, citizenship exams are mandatory for those who obtain a passport through naturalization, rather than through a repatriation program. This requirement is intended to ensure that new citizens have a basic understanding of Israeli culture and legislation.

The advantages of Israeli citizenship

Passport holders have many advantages. Privileges apply to different categories of people – from businessmen and investors to families and students. In addition to a high standard of living and access to quality education and medicine, Israeli citizenship provides opportunities for travel, business and flexible tax conditions. In addition, the number of preferences includes:

• Maximum freedom of movement. Israeli citizenship provides visa-free access to travel to more than 160 countries, including the European Union, as well as the possibility of obtaining a simplified visa to the United States for 10 years at once.
• Doing business. Citizens can easily open and develop businesses, receiving assistance from the state and international partners.
• Confidentiality. Israel provides a high level of protection for the personal information of its citizens.
• Inheritance of citizenship. Residency is automatically passed on to children and subsequent generations.
• Access to education and medicine. Citizens have the right to free or subsidized tuition at leading universities and access to a high-quality medical system.
• The right to purchase real estate. Residents can buy real estate without restrictions, receiving favorable mortgage terms.
• Tax benefits. Israel provides various tax breaks, including for those who do business abroad.
• The availability of dual citizenship. Israel allows citizens to have dual citizenship, including foreigners, if they are repatriates.

Dual citizenship

Israel allows its citizens to have two passports at once, which allows them to retain citizenship of other states. This applies to any foreign citizens who have acquired Israeli citizenship through repatriation, naturalization or other means. According to Israeli law, there is no need to renounce another citizenship.

To obtain dual citizenship or resolve issues related to it, you need to contact the Israel Population and Immigration Administration (Misrad HaPnim). This department is engaged in the registration of civil statuses, the issuance and renewal of passports, as well as the resolution of citizenship issues.

Citizenship by Investment Program

Israel does not have an official citizenship by investment program, as in other countries with so-called «golden visas». Unlike European countries that offer citizenship or a residence permit in exchange for large investments in the economy, in Israel, a passport is not issued through investments. The main paths to citizenship are related to repatriation, marriage, naturalization and other family ties.

However, investors can obtain a work visa, which entitles them to temporary residence. This may be the first step towards integration into Israeli society. However, in the future, in order to obtain citizenship, you will need to meet other criteria provided for by law.

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

In 2022, the law «On Return» underwent some transformations that affected the process of emergency repatriation. These changes included the introduction of a "fourth generation" of Jews. According to them, not only Jews, their children and grandchildren, but also great-grandchildren are allowed to participate in the process. This change expands the range of potential returnees.

However, in April 2023, the emergency repatriation procedure was canceled. This change assumes that the new repatriation rules will be applied more strictly and only persons who meet the new criteria will be able to apply for citizenship.

Attention

The emergency repatriation provision is often subject to attempts to repeal or amend. That is why potential candidates should be prepared for changes in legislation and closely monitor the new rules, as the process can become more difficult and lengthy at any moment.

Step-by-step application process

To obtain an Israeli passport, you need to apply to the appropriate authorities. If you are in Israel, you can contact the local office of the Population and Immigration Department. Otherwise, this can be done through the consulate in the country of residence. The application process includes the following steps:

Attention

Together with the applicant, close relatives – spouses, children, grandchildren - can submit a petition

Collecting documents and submitting an application

To start the procedure, the necessary documents should be prepared in advance, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of Jewish origin, certificates of no criminal record and everything that may be required to confirm the rights to obtain a passport. It is worth making sure that all the papers are translated and certified in accordance with the requirements of the consulate.

The application must be submitted either to the Israeli Interior Ministry, while in the country, or through a local consulate abroad.

After submitting the application, you will have to undergo an interview and additional checks to confirm compliance with the requirements. These steps may include face-to-face interviews, verification of submitted documents, and additional inquiries about personal history and situation.

Additional features

For more accurate and professional assistance, it is recommended to contact qualified legal consultants with experience in this field.

List of documents

The procedure for obtaining citizenship can be carried out both in person and in absentia, depending on the specific case and the requirements of the Israeli Embassy in the recipient's country of residence. Often, some documents can be submitted online, but the final interview and obtaining a passport usually require personal presence.

When submitting documents, you must pay the consular fee. Its size may vary depending on the country and type of visa. You can pay the fee by bank transfer or online. It is allowed to submit documents both independently and through an intermediary – a lawyer or a specialized agency. In the first case, the procedure allows you to save on the services of an intermediary, but requires a deeper immersion in the process and knowledge of the law. Generally speaking, an application usually requires:

• Documentation confirming Jewish roots: birth certificates, marriage certificates, bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah certificates, and other religious documents.
• Passports of all family members wishing to obtain citizenship.
• Recent color passport format photos.
• Apostilled certificate of no criminal record.
• Documents confirming the intention to live in Israel, for example, a certificate from the place of work or study.

Consideration and decision

The process of obtaining Israeli citizenship in a standard manner usually takes about six months. However, given the time required to prepare the dossier and the length of the naturalization process, in most cases the process can take about four years.

Regarding expenses, applying for citizenship requires paying a fee of 195 ILS (approximately $53). A 50% discount of the established amount is provided for employees in the army. Additional costs may arise when preparing documents and paying for the services of legal specialists. During the naturalization process, the costs of obtaining and extending a temporary residence permit (residence permit) and requesting a permanent residence permit (permanent residence) may also be required, which amount to approximately $53 for each stage.

Disadvantages of Israeli citizenship

Israeli citizenship has a number of drawbacks that are worth considering:

• High costs. The process of obtaining citizenship includes not only administrative fees, but also additional costs for the preparation of documents, legal assistance and possible services of consulates. These costs can significantly increase the overall cost of the process.
• A long period of consideration. Obtaining citizenship can take up to four years, including time for naturalization and preparation of documents. This moment can be a significant inconvenience for applicants.
• The need for an extension. The Israeli passport requires regular renewal, which is often an additional inconvenience for citizens. Usually, the document is issued for a period of 1 to 10 years, depending on how long a person has been living in Israel.