IsraelCitizenship

Repatriation (aliyah) to Israel in Israel

Repatriation under the Law of Return is a move to Israel with the acquisition of Israeli citizenship, open to Jews and their close relatives. Entitlement to the status is checked by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration together with the Population and Immigration Authority; the law provides for no separate residence permit stage — citizenship is granted directly.

Source: Ministry of Aliyah and Integration of Israel, gov.il

Who can qualify for repatriation

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration checks the applicant's entitlement to one of the immigrant statuses.

By descent and family relationship

A Jew — the basic right is set out in section 1 of the Law of Return 1950: every Jew has the right to move to the country.
A child or grandchild of a Jew — this right was added by the 1970 amendment to the Law of Return.
The spouse of a Jew, and the spouse of a child or grandchild of a Jew — also added by the 1970 amendment, provided the person was not previously a Jew who knowingly converted to another faith.

By status when applying to the ministry

New immigrant (oleh chadash) — has received new immigrant status in Israel for the first time.
Citizen-immigrant (ezrach oleh) — born abroad to a parent who is an Israeli citizen and already has an Israeli identity number.
Returning minor (katin chozer) — left Israel before the age of 14.
Returning resident (toshav chozer) — lived abroad for more than two years.

Great-grandchildren of a Jew — a separate procedure

A great-grandchild of a Jew under 18 whose parent has already been recognised as entitled to repatriation by the Jewish Agency or the Nativ bureau receives status through a separate application, filed by the parent in person together with the child at the Population and Immigration Authority.

Documents to gather

The exact list depends on the status the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration is checking and on who is filing the application.

The applicant's valid passport
Photographs in the prescribed format (usually 2-3 colour photographs on a light background)
Certified birth or marriage certificate — a document confirming Jewish descent or the family relationship or marriage to a Jew; for countries party to the Hague Convention an apostille is required
For a great-grandchild of a Jew — confirmation that their parent has already been recognised as entitled to repatriation by the Jewish Agency or the Nativ bureau
To change status from tourist, student or work visa holder to immigrant — all passports held (including expired ones), a report of entries and exits from the Population and Immigration Authority, proof of residence abroad during the seven years before the move, and certificates of participation in the Masa programme, of military or alternative service, of study at a higher education institution and of opening a bank account in Israel — where applicable

How the process runs

The online procedure for checking entitlement to repatriation at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration consists of four steps.

1
Complete the questionnaire
The first questionnaire determines from the applicant's answers which immigrant status suits them.
2
Complete the form and attach the documents
Once the status has been determined, the applicant completes the form for the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and attaches the required documents and a passport photograph.
3
Receive confirmation that the form has been received
After the documents have been sent for the status check, a message confirming receipt of the form arrives.
4
Receive the answer on the application and an appointment
a few days
Within a few days an answer on entitlement to the status arrives; if it is approved — an invitation to an appointment to receive the immigrant certificate and continue the process.

Timelines and rights

Work

An immigrant receives citizenship and works without a permit.

Who you can bring with you

The Law of Return and its 1970 amendment extend the right of repatriation not only to Jews themselves but also to their close relatives.

Child or grandchild of a Jew

The right was added by the 1970 amendment to the Law of Return.

Spouse of a Jew, and the spouse of a child or grandchild of a Jew

Also added by the 1970 amendment — provided the person was not previously a Jew who knowingly converted to another faith.

A spouse who married an immigrant less than a year before the move to Israel

Obtains status through a separate procedure at the Population and Immigration Authority and confirms that their centre of life is in Israel (rented or purchased accommodation, utility bills, membership of a health fund and so on); the service is free of charge.

A great-grandchild of a Jew under 18 whose parent has already been recognised as an immigrant

The application is filed by the parent in person together with the child; the fee for the service is 195 shekels.

Renewal and the grace period

The status of a great-grandchild of a Jew obtained before the age of 18 is not open-ended: when the permit is extended, the parents must confirm that the child's centre of life is in Israel together with them.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

There is no separate permanent residence stage to pass through: the Law of Return leads directly to citizenship.

Route to citizenship

Recognition of the right to repatriation leads to Israeli citizenship.

Frequently asked questions about Repatriation (aliyah) to Israel

Who is entitled to repatriation under the Law of Return?

Every Jew is entitled — this is laid down in section 1 of the Law of Return 1950. The 1970 amendment extended the right to the children and grandchildren of a Jew, to the spouse of a Jew and to the spouses of their children and grandchildren, except those who were previously Jewish and knowingly converted to another faith.

Which statuses does the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration check when an application is filed?

The ministry checks entitlement to one of four statuses: new immigrant; citizen-immigrant (for those born abroad to a parent who is an Israeli citizen); returning minor (who left Israel before the age of 14); and returning resident (who lived abroad for more than two years).

How much does it cost to obtain status for a great-grandchild of a Jew?

195 shekels. It can be paid at the office of the Population and Immigration Authority when the application is filed — by card or in cash.

What must a spouse who married an immigrant less than a year before the move to Israel confirm?

They must confirm that their centre of life is in Israel: a tenancy or purchase agreement for accommodation, utility bills, payslips or a letter from an employer, bank statements, membership of a health fund, as well as a certified marriage certificate and joint photographs with the spouse. The service itself is free of charge.

What should an immigrant do if they have not used all 15 years of new immigrant benefits?

The status check form is not suitable for them — such immigrants (oleh gorer zakaut) need to book an appointment with an absorption adviser through the MyVisit app.

Which documents are needed to change status from tourist or student to immigrant?

All passports held (including expired ones), a report of entries and exits from the Population and Immigration Authority, proof of residence abroad during the seven years before the move, a certificate of participation in the Masa programme (if applicable), confirmation of military or alternative service, certificates of study at a higher education institution, confirmation that a bank account has been opened, and a passport photograph.

Other ways to move to Israel

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Israel.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.