How to obtain Israeli citizenship: methods and documents

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The Promised Land is the world leader in the number of people wanting to move there from other countries. Therefore, the question of obtaining Israeli citizenship for a non-Jew remains open for many people.

To obtain Israeli citizenship, a non-Jew who has reached the age of 18 must go through the naturalization procedure

Becoming a citizen of a given state is actually simple... But! Only for Jews. After all, the government of this country has set a goal - to create a national state consisting only of representatives of their nationality.

However, it is possible to become the owner of the coveted darkon (Israeli passport) without having Jewish roots. There are still exceptions here. In connection with this, below we will tell you how to get darkon for a non-Jew in Israel.

Benefits of Israeli Citizenship

Israeli citizenship is a dream for many Russian citizens. There are indeed many advantages for the holder of an Israeli passport:

• there is excellent medicine and highly qualified doctors (local residents often enjoy discounts and benefits);
• Israeli citizens have the right to count on social support from the state;
• high standard of living (high salaries);
• living near four seas at once (Dead, Mediterranean, Galilee, Red);
• the ability to use visa-free travel to more than 50 countries (but you will still need a foreign passport);
• the opportunity to retain your citizenship.

Israeli citizenship has its downsides. And first of all, these are difficulties in obtaining a passport, since origin (Jewish roots) is important. Although non-Jews can also obtain an Israeli citizen passport.

Trips

Holders of Israeli citizenship can travel without a visa to 161 countries. This list includes Japan, Great Britain, Canada.

Within three months after you become a citizen of a Jewish country, you will be issued a foreign passport - Darkon. Thanks to him, you will have the opportunity to travel without visas.

According to the ranking of passports, the Jewish state ranks 16th. This is one of the significant factors why everyone strives to become legal residents of the Israeli state, because obtaining visas is such a hassle.

Immigration Citizenship Rules

Individuals of Jewish nationality, as well as those who have converted to Judaism and undergone the corresponding ceremony, can obtain Israeli citizenship through a simplified procedure. In the first case, immigration is possible for the children and grandchildren of Jews.

According to Jewish law, nationality is transmitted through the female line. Therefore, if your mother or grandmother was Jewish, there is a chance to get an Israeli passport without any problems. But the relationship will have to be proven. But a father or grandfather with Jewish roots is not taken into account in this case.

Conditions and stages of acquiring citizenship by Russians and other foreigners

To obtain an Israeli passport for a foreigner who does not have preferential conditions (he is not an ethnic Jew or a military man), he must:

• legally live in Israel for 3 years;
• be of legal age;
• know Hebrew and observe the laws of the country (including religious ones);
• have housing and a legal source of income.

If these conditions are met, the foreigner can try to obtain Israeli citizenship and a passport. Even if they refuse at first, it’s worth trying after a year.

The attitude of the state towards repatriates

Not all states can be said to treat their residents with trepidation. In Israel, you will feel the goodwill of the authorities immediately after your arrival. The state provides medical insurance to all repatriates; at the airport they give 1,250 shekels ($313) in cash - this amount is calculated for 1 person (the numbers vary depending on the composition and number of family members). Next, 1,430 shekels ($358) will be transferred to the bank account. In addition, repatriates receive six payments per card of 2,622 shekels ($656) throughout the year.

Note! To receive payments, you must live in the state. If you travel outside the country, payments are suspended.

Thus, when moving to Israel, you will be provided with funds for the first time. These benefits will be enough to pay for housing and food. If during the first year you were unable to get a job, the state will pay benefits. Its size is determined individually for each person who applies to the ministry.

Methods of immigration to Israel

Before you obtain Israeli citizenship, you need to explore possible ways to do so. This is repatriation, marriage to a Jew, naturalization.

Marriage to an Israeli citizen

According to the laws of the country, a foreigner can obtain citizenship only if the husband or wife has the appropriate nationality. The union can be registered abroad, but it is better to get married in Israel. Having an Israeli spouse does not guarantee accelerated acquisition of citizenship.

To do this you need:

• apply for a visa giving the right to work (B1);
• six months after entry, issue a temporary certificate;
• renew the document annually;
• After 3 years, apply for citizenship.

This procedure remains the same for foreigners who wish to immigrate through marriage. During the entire period, they need to legally reside in the country by obtaining a residence permit, work, etc.

Repatriation (return of Jews to their homeland)

It is easiest to emigrate under the Law of Return to Israel. The following have the right to do this:

• children and grandchildren of Jews;
• legal spouses of Jews, as well as widows and widowers;
• foreigners who converted to Judaism.

The main requirement is Jewish roots on the maternal side if we are talking about the return of ethnic Jews. At the same time, it is more difficult for great-grandchildren to get this opportunity. If only a great-grandfather or great-grandmother had Jewish roots, the applicant will most likely be rejected.

Naturalization (naturalization of children)

Naturalization as a method of obtaining citizenship for adults implies long-term and legal residence in the country. With children everything is a little different:

• The birth of a child, if one of the parents is a citizen, also automatically gives him the right to citizenship.
• If a newborn was born from foreign parents, then they can apply to assign him the appropriate status. But they must reside permanently in the country for at least 5 years.
• A child born abroad to parents with citizenship automatically receives it.

For naturalization, it is very important to renew the residence permit, learn the language and comply with the laws of the country. Even if you are refused the first time, you can try to get an internal passport again.

Labor and business immigration

Neither working nor opening your own business in Israel gives foreigners the right to a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship. They can use the standard naturalization procedure.

Citizenship for treatment: how to obtain

Many foreigners try to enter the country for treatment. But such a visit is not a basis for obtaining citizenship. An official visit to the country for treatment in one of the clinics must be carried out with a special temporary visa (if the countries do not have a visa-free regime).

To apply for a visa, you need to contact the Israeli embassy at your place of residence. The package of documents is standard. The period of stay is limited to 3 months, so upon expiration of the document, the foreigner needs to leave.

Birth of children

According to The Economist rating, Israel ranks 20th among two hundred countries in terms of favorable conditions for having children.

People from many other countries come here to give birth. There are several reasons for this:

• according to world statistics, in a Jewish country the infant mortality rate is one of the lowest;
• With the help of the latest technologies, doctors can detect pathologies in the early stages of pregnancy;
• comfortable rooms with all amenities;
• Doctors promote natural childbirth - caesarean section is used only in cases of extreme necessity.

Another plus is a good education. According to the UN ranking, the Israeli state ranks 19th in terms of education level. It is higher than in France, Spain, Italy and many other European countries.

In Israel, you will feel the friendliness of the authorities immediately after your arrival.

However, let us remind you that military service is compulsory for Israelis: both for boys and for girls. “Sloping” will not work here.

Dual citizenship of Israel with Russia

Before a Russian citizen obtains Israeli citizenship, you should find out the legal norms regarding dual citizenship. Israel is ready to provide the opportunity to use second citizenship to foreigners from the former USSR. The exception is cases when citizenship is granted on the basis of naturalization. In this case, you will not be able to save your Russian passport.

The problem is that Russia does not recognize second citizenship, since there is no corresponding international treaty with the country. Therefore, obtaining an Israeli passport if you have Russian citizenship is a violation of the law. And many Russians living in the country use a residence permit, but do not apply for an Israeli passport.

Emigration while maintaining citizenship is also possible for residents of the USA, Ireland, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. As for Europe, the list includes Spain, Latvia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, etc. But the UAE countries do not welcome dual citizenship.

Pros and cons of Israeli citizenship

Living in countries with stable economies always has many advantages. And although Israel is a fairly young state, many people dream of obtaining citizenship. The advantages of an Israeli passport include:

• living in a good climate;
• the opportunity to use quality medical services;
• you can get education and work as a highly qualified specialist;
• you can be socially protected by the state (support for the poor, pensioners, etc.);
• you can visit ancient historical and religious monuments (for example, in Jerusalem).

But Israeli citizens often highlight the following disadvantages:

• constant fighting on the border with neighboring states (besides, there are a lot of weapons here);
• difficulties in obtaining a permanent passport (moving for permanent residence often means living on temporary documents);
• taxes;
• very hot climate, which is why Israel as a place of residence is not suitable for everyone;
• high cost of products.

For those who move here for permanent residence, these disadvantages are insignificant.

Tel Aviv, Israel

What to do next

The actions of the repatriate after approval of repatriation by the consul include:

1. Communication with the Jewish Agency (“Sokhnut”) and choosing a suitable repatriation program, receiving other assistance from the organization.
2. Selecting a moving date, booking a free air ticket using Sokhnut.
3. Flight to Israel, where the repatriate is met by representatives of the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption and given an Israeli passport or identity card, first financial assistance, and other important documents.
4. The first steps upon arrival: finding housing, opening a bank account, taking out insurance, signing up for Hebrew courses, connecting to a mobile operator, and so on. Each repatriate is assigned a local curator who will help him with the initial adaptation.
5. Registration of a passport. Since identification in the country requires a special biometric photo, an Israeli passport cannot always be issued at the airport. If this does not happen immediately, contact your local Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Procedure for obtaining citizenship

If the passport applicant meets all the conditions, he needs to prepare documents and submit them to the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is followed by verification of the provided data and an interview. If a repatriate applies, he needs to have evidence of Jewish roots (but not on the paternal side). Sometimes genetic testing is required.

Submitting an application and list of documents

In order to travel to Israel to obtain citizenship, the repatriate needs to contact the consulate of the country at the place of residence. You should have a number of documents with you:

• passport;
• application (a sample can be obtained at the consulate or on the Internet);
• photograph (if other family members are traveling, you will need their photos);
• diploma, work record;
• all available certificates (birth, marriage);
• a certificate to prove no criminal record;
• papers confirming Jewish roots (up to the third generation);
• information about relatives living in Israel (if any).

All documents must be translated into Hebrew. In some cases, the candidate needs to confirm financial solvency. If the applicant wants to marry an Israeli, this fact will have to be confirmed additionally.

Response time

Review of documents does not take long. According to Israeli law, many applicants have to wait several days for a response after the interview. You need to leave for Israel to obtain citizenship no later than 6 months - that’s how long the visa is valid.

Consular check, interview

All repatriates are required not only to prove their Jewish roots, but also to undergo all possible checks. One of these is an interview with the consul. You can make an appointment online. If members of his family are leaving for Israel with the applicant, then all of them must be present during the conversation.

An applicant for citizenship must fill out a special form to confirm personal information. The question of religion is obligatory. The consul may inquire about the applicant’s future plans and employment. You cannot refuse an interview.

Obtaining an Israeli passport

Previously, repatriates had to live permanently in Israel for 1 year and not leave the country for 3 months or more. But the legislation has changed, and thanks to these changes, they are now trying to issue a passport right away. In addition, many receive documents immediately at the airport, as soon as they go through customs and passport control.

Refusal to obtain citizenship: reasons

If an applicant for citizenship can claim that he has Jewish roots, this does not mean that the Israeli Migration Service will not refuse him. Usually the refusal comes immediately after the interview with the consul. The reasons are as follows:

• the person could not prove his origin;
• he has a criminal record;
• the documents submitted for consideration cannot be recognized as real;
• a marriage concluded with an Israeli citizen is fictitious.

The refusal must be made in writing. If the reasons can be eliminated, then the applicant has the opportunity to contact the consulate again.

Interview at the embassy

If Jewish roots are discovered, you must schedule an interview with the consul. To become a citizen of Israel, a Russian must contact the repatriation department at the local Israeli embassy, ​​the address of which can be found here.

During a personal interview, the consul will accept the applicant’s documents, find out the reasons for the desire to move, and conduct a preliminary check of Jewish roots and documents.

Based on the results of the interview and further verification of documents within 6 months, the applicant will receive notification of the decision: if it is positive, he will be issued an Israeli visa for 6 months.

Conversion to another religion

Israeli authorities allow foreigners to use a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship. The reason is the adoption of Judaism. To do this, you need to carry out a special procedure (conversion), the implementation of which is controlled by the religious community. Despite the simplicity of this ritual, it is very serious:

1. First, the candidate, under the supervision of a rabbi, studies Jewish laws and, accordingly, lives by them.
2. After a certain time (when the student is ready), the first introductory interview takes place. It is necessary to ascertain the true desires of the future Jew.
3. The second meeting occurs when the disciple leads a permanent Jewish lifestyle.
4. The last stage is an exam that must be taken in the presence of three rabbis. Based on its results, they will decide whether a person is ready to change religion.

If the exam is passed successfully, the applicant is recognized as a Jew. And according to Israeli laws, he can obtain citizenship without any problems.

Loss of citizenship: grounds, procedure

After issuing a darkon (internal passport), a person is recognized as an Israeli and must comply with the laws of the country. Otherwise, there will be corresponding consequences, and first of all – loss of citizenship. In practice, this is caused by illegal migration and obtaining a passport on the basis of fictitious information (about origin, marriage, etc.).

But if this information became known three years after the person was granted the appropriate status, then the procedure can only be carried out through the court. But a long trip abroad is not a reason for a person to be deprived of Israeli citizenship. Even if he doesn't expect to return.

Voluntary renunciation of citizenship

A person who has Israeli documents can renounce citizenship at any time. For example, he wants to leave and obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation. But to do this, you first need to follow the procedure:

1. Personally submit documents and application to the Israeli consulate.
2. Check for debts, clarify changes in marital status, etc.
3. Wait for a decision.

The decision is made by the Minister of the Interior or an authorized official. The Minister has the right to refuse the applicant if he sees no reason to renounce citizenship.

Israeli citizenship for CIS countries

Residents of the CIS can come to Israel and obtain citizenship without any problems. Of course, if they have appropriate grounds for this - nationality, family relationships or long-term legal residence in the country. In some cases, you don’t even have to renounce your citizenship, since this is not prohibited by Israeli law.

Registration of biometric passports

Since 2013, it has become possible to issue biometric passports in Israel. To obtain it, an additional fingerprinting procedure is carried out at the Ministry of Internal Affairs office. A special camera also reads information about the facial location of the nose, ears, and eyes in exact proportions.

The collected data is entered into an electronic chip on the pages of the biometric passport. Therefore, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs warn owners in advance to handle the document carefully so as not to damage the built-in circuits.

This is what a biometric passport looks like

Living in Israel without citizenship

If a foreigner does not have citizenship, but wants to live in the country legally, he must obtain a residence permit. Of course, if a person came as a tourist and stayed illegally, he will not be able to subsequently obtain a passport.

A residence permit is citizenship, but the document guarantees the owner certain rights and obligations. Temporary documents are provided for only a year, after which they need to be renewed. In the case of marriage to a Jew, a few years are enough to apply for a darkon. But if the marriage is civil (unofficial), then checks can last at least 7 years.

Refusal to receive

In some cases, a person applying for Israeli citizenship may be denied it. This can happen for one of the following reasons.

Incorrect information

If the person who submitted the documents hid important facts from his biography or deliberately provided himself with false information, he will not receive citizenship. In the future, consideration of an application for an Israeli passport may be in question.

Entering into a fictitious marriage

The Migration Service strictly controls the process of legalization in the country of persons who entered there after marriage to an Israeli. If it is proven that the marriage is a fiction, citizenship will be denied.

Criminal background

Previously convicted persons must indicate in their documents for obtaining a passport that they were prosecuted. In this case, they have a chance of obtaining citizenship. If the fact of a criminal record is hidden, and during the check the migration service establishes this, then the darkon will definitely be denied.

Conversion to another religion

In Israel, much attention is paid to issues of religion. If a person renounces Judaism and switches to another religion, he will not receive citizenship. Also, a repatriate who was previously adopted by a person who professed a different religion will not be able to become the owner of a darkon.

If a person who has been denied Israeli citizenship believes that this was done without sufficient grounds, he can contact a lawyer who will suggest possible ways to resolve this issue.