How Long Does It Take to Get Israeli Citizenship?
There are several ways one can become an Israeli citizen. As a result, the answer to the question “How long does it take to get Israeli citizenship?” varies for each individual case. For those who make Aliyah to Israel under the Law of Return, citizenship is granted immediately. However, in other cases, such as acquiring citizenship through a gradual process, the waiting time for obtaining citizenship will be longer.
In this article, we will examine the various time frames for obtaining Israeli citizenship based on different scenarios. Additionally, when it comes to the Law of Return, we will delve into how long it takes to prove eligibility for making Aliyah to Israel.
Our firm specializes in various immigration processes to Israel, including obtaining extended stay permits and working in the country. If you require professional legal guidance and advice on these topics, we invite you to contact us.
What is the Process for Making Aliyah under the Law of Return?
One way to obtain Israeli citizenship is through making Aliyah to Israel under the Law of Return. This right to Aliyah is reserved exclusively for Jews or descendants of Jews. To exercise this right, individuals need to prove their Jewish connection.
In 1970, an amendment was made to the Law of Return defining a Jew as someone born to a Jewish mother or one who has converted and does not belong to another religion. Family members and spouses of Jews, up to the third generation, who are not Jewish, are also eligible to make Aliyah and obtain citizenship.
How Can Eligible Individuals Prove Their Right to Make Aliyah?
In some cases, relevant documents can easily be found that attest to one’s Jewish heritage, such as marriage certificates from the Rabbinate confirming the Jewish identity of parents or grandparents. On the other hand, there are situations where finding proof takes much longer, especially for families who hid their Jewish identity during World War II and lack clear evidence of their Jewish background.
It’s important to know that the Ministry of Interior, which is responsible for approving Aliyah, has detailed guidelines on which documents are required for an Aliyah application. Thus, general DNA test results confirming “Jewish ancestry” cannot be used as conclusive evidence. However, if a DNA test can establish a link to a specific individual whose Jewish identity is known or to an Israeli citizen, the test can be used to support the Aliyah application, as long as it is approved by the Israeli Family Court.
When there are documents that prove Jewish identity, the process of obtaining Aliyah approval takes several months. If eligible, new immigrants will be given an Aliyah date, and the State of Israel will purchase flight tickets for them. In cases without suitable documents, the application process takes much longer as a thorough investigation is required to find clear evidence of the applicants’ Jewish heritage. Upon arriving in Israel, the immigrants will immediately receive Israeli citizenship. In addition, they will be provided with a temporary Israeli passport valid for only one year, which can be extended if they stay in Israel for this period.
How Long Does It Take for Spouses of Israelis to Obtain Citizenship?
For mixed couples, consisting of Israelis and foreign nationals, who wish to live together in Israel, there is a process that allows the foreign partners to acquire Israeli citizenship. Unlike making Aliyah under the Law of Return, this process is lengthier and can take between five to seven years. This is known as the gradual process.
Only married couples or common law couples can undergo this gradual process. This requires the opening of a joint life application in Israel. Subsequently, the foreign partner will receive a B/1 visa in Israel for six months, which also allows them to work in the country.
To facilitate the transition of the process to the second stage, the foreign spouse will be required to prove that they have no criminal record, that they indeed maintain a shared center of life in Israel with their spouse, and to prove the sincerity of their relationship through a formal interview. If the couple meets all these conditions, they will receive an A/5 temporary residency visa valid for three years, with the possibility of extending the visa after this period.
Three months before the end of four years from receiving the temporary residency visa, the couple must approach the Ministry of Interior to declare which status they wish to obtain. The first status the couple can choose is a permanent residency permit that allows receiving social benefits such as health insurance and the ability to work freely in Israel. The second status they can choose is citizenship. It’s important to note that if the foreign spouse chooses to become a citizen, they may have to renounce their previous citizenship, if they are from a country that does not allow dual citizenship. At the Ministry of Interior appointment, the sincerity of the relationship will be verified once again.
It’s worth mentioning that for unmarried (common law) couples, the process will be longer. Only after seven years will the foreign spouse be eligible for a permanent residency license, and only after obtaining it can they apply for citizenship.
How long does it take to get Israeli citizenship after serving in the IDF?
There is also an option for those who have been permanent residents and served in the IDF for 18 months to obtain Israeli citizenship. In this case, anyone who indeed served in the IDF for the required duration would be exempt from the other conditions specified in Section 5 of the Israeli Citizenship Law. This section states that anyone who stayed in Israel for three of the five years preceding their application date, has the right to permanent residency in Israel, has some knowledge of Hebrew, and has renounced their previous citizenship, is entitled to Israeli citizenship.
Therefore, someone who served in the IDF for three years or someone who was discharged early due to an illness or injury that occurred during their service, is eligible for Israeli citizenship while being exempt from the conditions specified under Section 5 of the Citizenship Law. However, this amendment will not apply to those who were discharged from regular service due to a criminal conviction or due to incompatibility.
How do children of an Israeli citizen born abroad obtain Israeli citizenship?
There are cases where an Israeli citizen whose children were born abroad, and the family still lives abroad, wishes to register their children as Israeli citizens. This option indeed exists but is a slightly complex process. One of the process requirements is to update the personal status of the child’s parents in the Israeli population registry. Moreover, the parents are required to report the birth of each child they wish to register within 30 days of birth.
If the parents did not register the children within 30 days of their birth, a form to regulate military status will need to be filled out.
Another obstacle that might hinder the process is the need to prove that the child is indeed the offspring of Israeli citizens. For instance, in cases where only the mother is an Israeli citizen, definitive proof is required that she is indeed the birth mother of the child. Conversely, in cases where only the father is an Israeli citizen, evidence of a relationship between the parents before conception is required. There are cases where a paternity test is needed to prove a blood relationship between the child and their parents.
Therefore, this process is very dependent on the circumstances, so the potential timeframe to obtain citizenship can vary significantly from case to case.
The process of obtaining a status for children born abroad to Israeli citizens who themselves were born abroad (and never moved to Israel) is even more complex. These children can only obtain Israeli citizenship as immigrants under the Law of Return, if they are eligible.
How long does it take to get Israeli citizenship? Feel free to consult with us!
If you are interested in obtaining Israeli citizenship and are unsure about the correct process for you and how to execute it, we invite you to consult with us. Our law offices, located in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, provide comprehensive services related to immigration to Israel and obtaining approvals. We specialize in various immigration procedures, including immigration under the Law of Return and the graded process for foreign partners.
As you surely understand from this article, every process of obtaining Israeli citizenship requires a deep understanding of the laws in Israel. Therefore, it is recommended not to try and undergo the process alone. We would be happy to assist you in navigating your citizenship process as comfortably and simply as possible. Feel free to contact us, and we will be glad to assist you in any way.
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