Israeli citizenship is a status that enables a person to live in Israel, work, study, hold an Israeli passport and vote here, among others. Israeli citizenship comes with a lot of benefits for those living here.
However, not everyone can become an Israeli citizen. In fact, there are only three main routes, through which one can apply to become a citizen of Israel. These are:
- Jus sanguinis -citizenship by descent) for Jews.
- Jus soli – citizenship by place of birth for others.
- Through toshav keva, which is the permanent residency status.
Who Can Apply for Israeli Citizenship?
According to the Israeli laws on citizenship and residency, only those who meet at least one of the following statements may apply for Israeli citizenship.
- Those eligible for Israeli citizenship according to section 4A of the Law of Return.
- Children under 18 who are Israeli residents.
- Individuals whose citizenship was cancelled during childhood.
- Permanent residents are married to Israeli citizens eligible for naturalization.
Applying for Israeli Citizenship According to the Law of Return
According to the Jewish Law of Return, all Jews, no matter where they were born, are Israeli citizens by right. With the word “Jew” the law refers to every person born to a Jewish parent, or who is a convert to Judaism, and is not a member of another religion.
More precisely, persons who meet the following, qualify to apply for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return:
- Family members of persons recognized as Jewish who entered Israel before 19 March, 1970 and received a permanent residence permit.
- Individuals who were not registered as “Jewish” in the Population Registry.
- Individuals who have not been granted Israeli citizenship through naturalization.
To apply for Israeli citizenship you will need to print and fill in the Notification of Interest in Receiving Citizenship pursuant to section 4A of The Law of Return form.
You will need to submit this form in person at the local Population and Immigration Authority office near the place you are staying in Israel, together with documents supporting your application.
Israeli Residents Under 18 Applying for Citizenship
Children under the age of 18, who are Israeli residents, may have the right to get Israeli citizenship, if their center of life is in Israel, and at least one of the parents is an Israeli.
In order to get citizenship, a parent must apply for their minor child, though the consent of both parents is mandatory. The following documents must be presented at the nearest local population and Immigration office or nearest mission abroad to the applicants living address:
- IDs of the parent(s).
- Passports of the parents and the child you are applying for (both Israeli and foreign, if applicable).
- A cover letter explaining why the minor wants Israeli citizenship.
- Consent from both parents:
- If living in Israel the consent can be given in person at a Population Authority office or by notarized declaration.
- If living abroad, consent can be given in person at an Israeli mission or by notarized declaration made by a notary. The notary must be authorized by the Israeli mission first.
- If the parents are divorced, a court order of sole guardianship to the applying parent instead of the other parent’s consent is required.
Individuals Whose Citizenship was Cancelled During Childhood Applying for Israeli Citizenship
Individuals between the ages of 18 to 22, whose citizenship was renounced by their parents while they were under 18, can apply for Israeli citizenship. Those born outside Israel to Israeli citizens who are not eligible for Israeli citizenship by birth can also apply.
The following documents will be required:
- The Application form for Israeli Citizenship (in Hebrew).
- Parents’ ID numbers.
- Current passport or travel documents.
- A cover letter explaining why the applicant’s parents renounced citizenship and why the applicant wants to reinstate Israeli citizenship now.
The application form alongside with the other documents must be submitted at the nearest mission abroad, or if currently in Israeli, at the local population and Immigration office.
Permanent Residents Married to Israeli Citizen Applying for Naturalization
Those with permanent residency status in Israeli and married to an Israeli citizen can apply for naturalization. In order to do so the applicant must be living in Israel and sharing a household with their spouse.
The following documents are required for application:
- The Application for Naturalization form.
- Applicant’s ID.
- Foreign passport or Israeli travel document.
In addition, the Israeli authorities want the applicant to prove that Israel is the center of their life by submitting documents similar to the following:
- Proof of home address. This could be a home purchase contract or rental contract, signed by both the applicant and the landlord.
- Kupat Holim membership Confirmation, indicating the date of registration.
- National Insurance Institute receipt of benefits confirmation. The confirmation must include the first date and bank account printouts.
- Pay slips of the applicant and of a spouse and / or approvals regarding the place of work.
Applicants with children also need to submit some additional documents, as follows:
- Certificates from the school or other educational institution and confirmation from the children’s school.
- Children’s vaccination booklets.
Currently, the fee for such an application is 170 NIS, which is subject to change.
Permanent Residents Applying for Naturalization
Individuals, who have lived in Israeli for 3 years with a 5-year-valid permanent residency status, can apply for Israeli naturalization, if they also meet the following:
- They are currently living in Israel
- Speak Hebrew at some level.
- Have renounced their other citizenships or can provide evidence that they will renounce foreign citizenships once they are naturalized citizens of Israel.
In order to apply to become a naturalized citizens of Israel, the applicant must submit to the relevant authorities their ID card and foreign passport /travel document.
Evidence of Center of Life in Israel that prove Israel is the center of their life by submitting documents similar as the following:
- Proof of home address. This could be a home purchase contract or rental contract, signed by both the applicant and the landlord.
- Kupat Holim membership Confirmation, indicating the date of registration.
- National Insurance Institute receipt of benefits confirmation. The confirmation must include the first date and bank account printouts.
- Pay slips of the applicant and of a spouse and / or approvals regarding the place of work.
Applicants with children also need to submit some additional documents, as follows:
- Certificates from the school or other educational institution and confirmation from the children’s school.
- Children’s vaccination booklets.
Currently the fee for such an application is 170 NIS, which is a subject to change.
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