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The Legal Procedure for an Israeli Temporary Resident Visa

Joshua Pex
Joshua Pex

The Ministry of Interior Procedure to Grant an Israeli Temporary Resident Visa

The Israeli temporary resident visa (legally known as the A/5 visa of temporary residency) gives its holder the legal right to reside in Israel and receive an Israeli identification card (teudat zehut) and other social benefits, such as medical insurance. The Israeli temporary resident visa is usually granted by the Ministry of Interior for one year intervals and may be revoked in cases of change in the circumstances, such as leaving Israel for long periods of time.

israel temporary resident visa

In this article, Israeli immigration lawyers from oue office explain the legal procedure for granting and extending Israeli temporary residence permits (an A/5 visa) and Israeli permanent residence permits under The Entry to Israel Act.

In order to facilitate and expedite this process, we recommend using the services of our expert legal team from our law office. Among the members of our team you will find an expert in naturalization in Israel, a lawyer with expertise in this procedure.

Who Can Use This Service?

This procedure is intended for foreign citizens who have been granted an Israeli temporary resident visa or permanent resident status according to previously made requests.

Before Submitting a Request 

Before submitting the first request for a temporary residence permit of type A/5, one must ensure that:

  1. The applicant can be personally present. Physical presence is mandatory. A minor has to be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.
  2. The applicant has prepared the required set of documents:
    1) filled and signed request forms,
    2) the appropriate photos,
    3)
    a foreign passport, valid for at least six months longer than the duration of the permit,
    4) in the case of a minor – an authorization signed by both parents,
    5) an explanation letter describing the nature of the request,
    6) a letter from an employer (if the applicant is employed),
    7) proof of center of life in Israel, such as: a rental contract, ownership of an apartment, payment of bills (electricity, water, land tax, etc.), bank reports, school certificates of children, etc.
  3. The appropriate original, authenticated and translated documentation has been prepared:
    1) a birth certificate,
    2) a public certificate indicating a name change (if such a name change has occurred),
    3) a public certificate from the country of origin which indicates their current and previous personal status,
    4) an up-to-date certificate confirming the lack of a criminal record.
  4. For a request for permanent residence, proof of center of life in Israel has been prepared: This consists of any indication on the existence of a center of life in Israel: rental contracts, local bank accounts, paycheck stubs, etc.
  5. An affidavit prepared by the applicant: In this document the applicant declares the authenticity of the documentation and commits to inform the authorities on any change in their circumstances.
  6. A declaration signed by the applicant: In this document the applicant declares they were made aware that the request will be summarily denied if the entire set of required documents is not submitted within 45 days.

Before Submitting a Request for an Extension

Before submitting a request for an extension of an Israeli temporary resident visa (type A/5 Israeli visa), one must ensure that:

  1. The request is made at least 90 days before the expiration date of the current permit.
  2. The applicant can be personally present. Physical presence is mandatory. A minor has to be accompanied by a parent or a custodian.
  3. The applicants have prepared the required set of documents:
    1) filled and signed request forms,
    2) the appropriate photos,
    3) a foreign passport, valid for at least six months longer than the duration of the permit,
    4) for a minor – an authorization signed by both parents,
    5) an explanation letter describing the nature of the request,
    6) a letter from the employer (if the applicant is employed).
  4. The applicant was personally interviewed.
  5. For a request for permanent residence, proof of center of life in Israel has been prepared: This consists of any indication on the existence of a center of life in Israel: rental contracts, local bank accounts, paycheck stubs, etc.
  6. An affidavit prepared by the applicant: In this document the applicant declares the authenticity of the documentation and commits to inform the authorities on any change in their circumstances.

Israeli Temporary Resident Visa Fees

The charges for the service of an Israeli temporary resident visa are listed in the Authority’s fee schedule. As of 2015, the fee is 190 NIS, but this fee may change from time to time.

Where Should I Submit the Request?

The request for an Israeli temporary resident visa should be made in Israel at the Population Authority’s regional bureau closest to the domicile of the person making the request.

How the Request Is Handled

At the time the request is made: 

  1. A Population Authority employee will examine the applicant’s record in the Population Authority’s systems as well as the applicant’s entry and exit log and the validity of all submitted documentation.
  2. A Population Authority employee will examine:
    1) whether any entry limitations were imposed,
    2)
    the proof substantiating the existence of a center of life in Israel,
    3) whether there is a criminal record or a security-based hindrance, or whether the foreign spouse is a citizen of a risk state.
  3. If any circumstances of the request have changed, the applicant shall be summoned for an interview.

After the request is received:

  1. If there are any hindrances or the applicant for an Israeli temporary resident visa is a citizen of a diagnosis or risk state, the request shall be forwarded to the various security authorities for further evaluation, after which a decision shall be made on how to proceed with handling the request.
  2. If there is no substantial proof of a center of life in Israel, the request shall be summarily denied.
  3. If the initial request was approved on a humanitarian basis and there has been a change in circumstances, the request shall be forwarded to the Authority’s Headquarters for further evaluation.
  4. If the evaluation was not completed by the current permit’s expiration date, the permit shall be extended by three additional months.
  5. If the request was denied, the applicant shall receive a detailed written explanation. The file shall be marked accordingly.
  6. If the request was approved, a one-year A/5 permit shall be granted, a sticker shall be affixed to the applicant’s passport and a new identity card shall be provided, along with the appropriate addendum.

Contact Us

If you need an expert in matters of naturalization in Israel, immigration to Israel, Israeli citizenship or visas to Israel, you’ve reached the right place. We specialize in the areas of naturalization, and our team has an immigration to Israel lawyer, an immigration to the US lawyer, as well a land and real-estate lawyer and a commercial lawyer. We also specialize in corporate law, wills and estates, procedural and constitutional law and labor law.

Please contact us for more information regarding an Israeli temporary resident visa.

A reference to the complete procedure for issuing an Israeli temporary resident visa can be found on the Ministry of Interior’s website: https://www.piba.gov.il/Regulations/5.2.0023.pdf.

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