Immigration to Israel
Children of permanent residents and their legal status in Israel
What does the law stipulate regarding the legal status of children of Israeli permanent residents? Children born in Israel to permanent residents are also entitled to permanent resident status in Israel. This status confers most of the rights and benefits reserved for people with Israeli citizenship. Obtaining permanent resident status is more complex in cases…
Read MoreWork visa for those eligible for aliya under the Law of Return
Some people who are eligible to make aliya under the Law of Return do not wish to make aliyah to Israel or have not yet made up their mind on the matter. However, the State of Israel provides a special work visa for Aliyah eligible foreign citizens under favorable conditions and even allows them to…
Read MoreThe Grandchild Clause in the Law of Return and the Initiatives to Repeal It (Legal Information)
What is the grandchild clause in the Law of Return, and who is interested in its repeal? The “grandchild clause” is a nickname for section 4(a) of the Law of Return, which grants children and grandchildren of Jews the right to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. In recent years more and more…
Read MoreIDF recruitment of foreign citizens (legal information)
Under what circumstances can foreign citizens volunteer to enlist and serve in the IDF? IDF recruitment of foreign citizens is possible via the Volunteers from Abroad (Mahal) track for Jews living abroad. Foreign citizens who are not Jewish may volunteer in non-military framework. In this article, attorney Joshua Pex, an expert on Israeli immigration law…
Read MoreSurprise inspections by Interior Ministry officials to ascertain the sincerity of a couple’s relationship
Can Interior Ministry officials legally conduct surprise inspections to ascertain the sincerity of a couple’s relationship? Many are unaware of that fact that during the procedure of applying to obtain Israeli legal status for foreign spouses of Israeli citizens, Interior Ministry officials are authorized to ascertain the sincerity of a couple’s relationship, including by conducting…
Read MoreUtah marriages – civil marriages in Israel by video conferencing (important legal information)
What are Utah marriages and how do they enable the registration of a civil marriage in Israel? As we know, couples cannot marry in a civil marriage within the borders of Israel. However, Israeli law stipulates that the Interior Ministry must recognize marriages that were legally conducted and registered abroad and register the couples as…
Read MoreAdopting abroad and having the adoption recognized in Israel
Adopting a child is a sensitive and complex matter in which a couple is granted parental authority for a child who is not biologically theirs. This authority, granted by the court, carries great significance, therefore it is important to consult with an attorney immediately upon making the decision to adopt. It is often faster to…
Read MoreConsular marriages in Israel
What are consular marriages and in what cases can they be conducted in Israel? Consular marriages are conducted in embassies and consulates of foreign countries. In recent decades the State of Israel has begun to recognize these marriages under certain conditions. In general, this recognition applies to marriages in which both spouses are of no…
Read MoreMaking aliyah without your family (legal information)
Immigrants are often forced to immigrate to Israel in a “split aliyah” — leaving their families or spouses behind. Although the olim (new immigrants to Israel) themselves are entitled to their personal rights in these cases, various legal issues may arise which can make it difficult to bring joint children or single elderly parents to…
Read MoreNaturalization of permanent residents in Israel
What does the naturalization of permanent residents in Israel involve? Permanent residents who wish to acquire Israeli citizenship must apply to the Population and Immigration Authority. Applicants must meet the basic requirements, which include continuous stay in Israel, settling or intending to settle in Israel, speaking Hebrew and waiving any additional citizenship. Some cases may…
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