Having a recognized legal status to reside in Israel is crucial in complying with the law and receiving numerous benefits typically reserved for citizens.

However, the laws regarding domicile in Israel can be complex, and a misstep in this area could have severe consequences. Contact Aharoni Law Firm to schedule a consultation for Israeli residency or citizenship assistance.

Aliyah to Israel

Known as the Law of Return, this law stipulates that Jewish people have an inherent proper and special status to make Aliyah and become Israeli citizens. This right is reserved for Jewish people, their children, their grandchildren, and those legally converted to Judaism. With proper paperwork and documentation, citizenship should be automatic.

If you encounter problems, an immigration attorney can assist you.

In some instances, a Jew may not feel ready to become a citizen despite eligibility. Here, the person can receive a temporary visa (an A-1 visa) or permanent residency to make that determination.

Temporary Residency

Temporary residency in Israel can be achieved by securing an A-5 visa through the Ministry of Interior, a one-year visa that must be renewed annually to maintain the legal capacity to reside in Israel.

A-5 visa holders receive some benefits of being a citizen, including:

• Health insurance
• Social Security benefits
• Social services

Becoming a temporary resident can be the first step in achieving legal status as a permanent resident.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residents do not have to file annual renewals and can live in Israel for as long as they desire. As a permanent resident, you receive most of the same benefits as an Israeli citizen; however, you do not yet have the following:

• No citizenship status
• No Israeli passport
• Cannot vote in national elections

You can maintain permanent residency indefinitely if you do not relocate to another nation and stay there for more than seven consecutive years. You could also apply for citizenship after living in Israel for three of the past five years if you have maintained permanent residency in good standing. Remember that once permanent residency is lost, it can be difficult to recover through the Israeli courts.

Israeli Citizenship by Marriage

Another route to Israeli citizenship is through marriage. A married spouse can apply for citizenship if their spouse is Jewish. For example, a Jewish person can migrate to Israel with their spouse or significant other and receive citizenship through Aliya.

If the spouse is not Jewish, they can apply for permanent residency. Assuming the couple has been married for at least a year or has children from the marriage, approval usually happens quickly.

Contact an Experienced Israeli Domicile Lawyer for Help

The Israeli citizenship process is expected to face legal challenges, and the Aharoni Law Firm can help. For example, in making Aliyah, there could be obstacles in obtaining documents, passing background checks, or converting to a different religion.