YK C
We had a pleasure of working with Irena Rosenberg who assisted in getting our two U.S. born children registered in Israel and supported visa process for my wife in 2021. During the pandemic, my wife and I decided to move to Israel where I am originally from after living in the U.S. for over 20 years, but we had no idea how to go about securing visas before and after arriving in Israel. Irena is knowledgeable, reliable and competent lawyer who always had answers to all our questions which made us feel confident that everything would be fine with her assistance. We are now happily living in Israel and are so grateful to have Irena who is a genuinely nice person as our lawyer.
Shaltiel Devorah
Mr. Joshua Pex is knowledgeable and Professional. I really appreciate his courteous and direct approach.
Наталья Мажуга
Great lawyers Joshua Pex and Nechama and Michael Deker who really want to help you and I have very trustful relationships with them. All my cases they took they won. Thank you and let’s keep working together
Lilian Granovsky
I can highly recommend these services!
Every time we turned to Joshua we always got a professional quick and helpful respond.
Prima Lorenzo
I admire the Austrian citizenship team in Tel-Aviv branch! They deserve more then 5 stars!! They are very friendly and professional. I've got Austrian citizenship in 4 months for all family members which consists of 12 people! The entire team is very friendly and responsive. They are always answering questions and support during the process. I recommend to everyone. Was 100% satisfied.
Andreas Kelling
We have been working with Decker, Pex & Co - Law Firm in Tel Aviv for many years very well. Because we appreciated their lawyers services, we recommended businesses and individuals again and again to go there as well.
Alexander P Gutterman
EU PASSPORT ! Big news! Thanks to Michael Decker and the other good people at the law office, as well as to the virtue of my ancestors, the cruelty of the Inquisition, reparations issued in the Iberian Peninsula, and etc, I am delighted to be on track for Portuguese and European Union Citizenship! A truly incredible development and one which brings me deep joy.
Dongdiet & Nellie
We are very happy with the services. Somehow they managed to translate the law lingo into language we actually understand 😉 and their outstanding YouTube videos helped us to have a better grasp of what process we had to go through. Their patience, clear explanation and experience are very valuable. It's also very nice to know that you will receive response promptly; it made us feel we can really trust their services. We recommend all those looking for immigration lawyers to get in touch.
Arielle Bosch
Incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, accessible, and evident across the board that they truly care about the people they are helping. They are quick to respond, engaged, and obviously top-notch lawyers. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. Thank you, Joshua and Itamar for your help with our Joint Life Application. You were a calming energy during a storm - always breathed a sigh of relief after speaking with you. It is so difficult to get straight answers from the Misrad Hapnim, but you guys are straight shooters. I appreciate your candor and evident integrity. Hope to work with you in the future, and will send everyone I know in need of legal aid your way. Thank you for your guidance and support.
Marce Ruth St. Rey
Party time in the heart, my beloved husband received his residence after so much time of battles and faith. Gratitude, God has blessed us with wonderful beings who have accompanied us, including a "precious angel" who touched our hearts, our excellent and fantastic lawyer: Maria Chernin Dekel, sweet and wonderful human being, who has guided us and stayed On our side. side in this intense legal transit whom we bless on every occasion. God bless you dear Maria, you have exceeded your professional duty by containing us and collaborating with us in hard times, very hard, for that we want to thank you publicly, you are unique!!!
We bless and thank the entire team at Decker Pex Tal Ofir Law Firm.
Yossi Montrose
Very knowledgeable and professional
Gáspár Erőss
If you need to solve any complicated legal issue in Israel, don't hesitate to contact them. Otherwise you will loose hours/days/weeks with things that they can solve in minutes. They helped me to obtain my expert working visa in Israel and even after that they responded further questions and gave me advices related to administrative issues in Israel which saved me a lot of time. Irena Rosenberg and Michael Decker worked on my case, they are very professional and helpful. They will not let you down, feel free to contact them.
Amir Abt
The best lawyer firm I’ve had dealt with. I would like to thank Anat Levi and Ariel Galili from the Jerusalem branch for all of their efforts and patience, we could not have been Able to reach to where we are now without them
Michelle Long
Josh has been helping me on and off for a few years now. I have needed legal advice and assistance with immigration due to a complex situation of mine, and he has been extremely available and responsive, honest and clear about my route and how to proceed. Very much recommended!
Dumitrascu Cristina
Best lawyer house from Israel! I couldn’t dealt with my situation without their professionalism and effectiveness. Their dedication to every legal aspect and their drive it’s how a true lawyer house can be!
Working in European market and international now, I couldn’t dare to let myself wide my wings on countries unknown to me. Definitely they’ll be the lawyers representing me, my business at every international aspect and on personal development.
When you hear Decker,Pex,Ofir &Co, you hear 10+ class services, luxurious professionals, confidentiality and exclusive attention to your needs.
Jacob Newberry
A really excellent firm. They knew exactly how to handle my situation effectively and efficiently, and we got the result I needed without much fuss. Adi Berger was a wonderful advocate for me and I am deeply grateful for her help!
Greg Olson
We highly recommend Adv. Mike Decker and have know him for many years. He has helped our family with many battles over the years. We recently received our permanent residency after 23 years in Israel. We so much appreciate Mike’s representation of us.
Israel iluz
We were very satisfied with the service of Nehama. She was very professional in all her dealings and kept us informed all the way.
We highly recommend this law firm. They proved to be reliable, efficient and pleasant to work with.
lynn vonne
Excellent service, very friendly and helpful, fast responding and very patient. Highly recommend. I will choose them again next time if needed.
Matthias Oppliger
I have been receiving services from this Law Firm for several years now and I want to say THANK YOU to the team, especially Joshua Pex. They are doing outstanding work. The services I have received for both our Israeli non profit association but also our social business have helped us solve many issues at hand and provided solutions in complicated situations. Personally, I am grateful for support in visa issues as a foreigner living now in Israel for many years.
Stuart Safft
I am delighted to report that my wife and I have just obtained our Israeli citizenship. We will be forever grateful for all of the help, guidance and support which Ariel Galili of Decker, Pex & Co. provided through this process.
I am a Jewish, 80-year-old American, and my wife is not Jewish. We had started the process on our own back in November 2020 via the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh, but soon became entangled in the delays and often-changing regulations due to Covid-19. The pandemic also caused delays in obtaining the required apostilles for various documents from various state agencies and the US State Department.
We found Decker, Pex & Co. On the internet and began working with Ariel in late November 2021. Ariel did a superb job of leading us through the process, helping us to understand which documents were essential, which would most likely be required, and which, though included on the list of required documents, were rarely required. He helped us several times to understand what was likely and unlikely to occur as “the next step.” Helping us manage our expectations was extremely useful to us.
Besides his knowing the laws, regulations and procedures, Ariel also made us feel that he was truly interested in helping us to successfully work through this process in as smooth, timely, and frustration-free manner as possible.
My wife and I strongly recommend anyone planning to go through this process seriously consider hiring Decker, Pex, Ofir & Co. and, specifically, Ariel Galili.
Eden Weiss
Extrmely friendly, professional and helpful. A big thank you to Irina especially from the Jerusalem office. Highly Recommended.
Joshua Pex was both an amazing human being and an inspiring human rights attorney. I reported directly to him for various activities I performed as in intern. I was impressed with his incredibly solid character. He is trustworthy, fair, and goes above and beyond to advocate for the vulnerable. He is completely trustworthy and high caliber in his work. His partners and employees are very blessed to work with him. I am honored to know them.
Heather Lebrun
Sophie Cooperman
Oded Ger did an excellent job by reviewing a modeling contract I was offered. Explained the bad clauses in the contract, and their possible consequences. Thank you for your amazing job, your professionalism, your consultation and honesty. You showed me from your experience how it can be done differently. It was the best decision choosing you as my lawyer.
I highly recommend this firm, especially Oded Ger.
Schruuf
We were very pleased and content with the services of this law firm. They supported us 100% and solved our case successfully, we couldn't be happier.
Michael and Ariellah Waizman
For Advocate Joshua Pex.
We were in a devastating situation when my wife received an order from the immigration office to leave Israel within 30 days, without any explanation, after we have been married and in the process for six and a half years. We heard of Advocate Pex through a friend of a friend. We contacted Mr. Pex and he was ready to help us when he heard of our situation.
The service is amazing! Always ready to assist without regard to the time it takes. The advice Mr. Pex gave us was great, such as what to do, he gave useful links, and advice about which officials to contact. The price for the service was great!
The process until we received the extension for another year for my wife was not long (3 months). Things started moving once Mr. Pex came into the picture.
We highly recommend Advocate Joshua Pex! We achieved our goal and the fear of deportation has been lifted!
Halvor Ronning
Courteous, clear, efficient service.
Priscilla Moses
competent consulting, fast processing, reliable, warm & good team. highly recommended
Genaan Abdelall
I cannot recommend Nechama enough! Her expertise, professionalism, and dedication to her clients is unparalleled. From the moment I reached out to her, she provided clear and concise communication, and helped me navigate through a complex legal issue with ease.
Throughout the entire process, Nechama went above and beyond to ensure that I was informed and comfortable with every decision. She demonstrated a deep knowledge of the law, and was able to offer sound advice that ultimately led to a positive outcome.
What sets Nechama apart is her compassionate and empathetic approach to her clients. She truly cares about the well-being of her clients, and it shows in the way she handles every case.
If you are in need of a lawyer, I highly recommend Nechama.
Kfir Cohen
We were searching for a law firm that will be honest with us and really work hard for a satisfying result, it wasn't an easy task
We found them online; they were the only law firm from all of our searchings which were completely honest and NOT gave us just what we wanted to hear
Using them guaranteed honesty above all. A legal team that is friendly and cares for a superb result
They really care about helping their customers without any other interest
Nadia gave us service behind what we expected; she was professional which lead to fast and easy process with great result
We definitely recommend using them
Sveta Vashkevich
We (myself and my husband) came to Mr. Joshua Pex – for his professional advice – and we received such human warmth and caring attitude, that our hearts melted …
His attention to our details and our situation peculiarities, combined with his professionalism and knowledge, helped us to map out what needs to be done on our part: we appreciate and recommend You, Mr. Joshua!
Paul Prince
The team of lawyers and assistants are incredibly professional. Aiming to give their clients the advice possible regarding the normative and the law of Israel. With well trained and professional secretary at the front desk to the lawyers team, I could say that I had one of the most professional services possible. I'm super glad of choosing Joshua Pex of Law office for immigration solution, lawyers to advise in my case, to me, it is remarkable.
Morgan Jones
The team at Decker, Pex & Co have been awesome to work with in helping our US company establish banking in Israel and in providing counsel for legal needs in Israel. I highly recommend!
TarcisioePotira Freitas
I really recommend the law office's services. The service is very professional and efficient, the price is right. I am satisfied with the services I needed and happy to have known them.
Sergei m Vashkevich
We came to Mr. Joshua with so many questions (and most of all, with so many concerns and worries) …
When we explained our case to him, first of all, he calmed us down and helped us to see the big picture, which took away our fears;
Then he presented us with a detailed explanation and a few options to explore, and a timeline, how things work and necessary steps to undertake on our part,
We thank and highly recommend Mr. Joshua for showing us so much empathy, care and professionalism (!)
Are you looking for an Interior Ministry Lawyer? There are many lawyers in Israel, covering various legal fields, but if you are looking for legal advice on immigration to Israel, it is important to choose the right lawyer – one who specializes in Interior Ministry matters and knows the Israeli immigration system well.
The issue of immigration to Israel is explained here in general, followed by a recommendation on how to choose the right lawyer specializing in immigration to Israel according to your needs.

The State of Israel Is Not an Immigration State
It is important to remember that Israel is not based on immigration. There are countries such as the United States and Australia that have valued immigration from the start and were even established by immigrants.
We are all familiar with the Statue of Liberty, which stands on an island near New York City, symbolizing America’s call to welcome all immigrants looking for a better life in the United States. At the foot of the statue is engraved a poem by a Jewish woman poet which speaks of “huddled masses” who will flow to the land of the free, regardless of race or religion. In contrast, Israel was founded, in accordance with the decision of the international community, to serve as a national home for the Jewish people, and is defined today as a Jewish democratic state.
Therefore, Israel gives preference to the immigration of Jews and their descendants and relatives. However, Israel is still part of an increasingly global world where immigration is often practiced. Israel is committed to international conventions, and a significant portion (20%) of the Israeli citizen population are non-Jews. Israel’s immigration policy has evolved accordingly over the decades.
The Interior Ministry is the Authority Responsible for Immigration to Israel
The Minister of Interior and his representatives are the government authority responsible for implementing Israel’s immigration policy. Israel, as mentioned above, is not based on free immigration. However, as a modern state that is part of the “global village”, immigration and emigration are part of the reality in Israel. Israeli immigration laws open the gates of the State mainly to Jews and their descendants and relatives. However, it is also possible to obtain citizenship on the basis of family relations with Israeli citizens; for example, spouses of citizens who live in Israel are entitled to receive citizenship, as well as single parents to Israeli citizens who are not entitled to immigration.
Immigration to Israel on the Basis of the Law of Return
The Law of Return stipulates that every Jew is entitled to immigrate to Israel and receive Israeli citizenship. Israel easily and efficiently accepts immigrants who can prove that they are Jews or relatives of Jews. Applications for Aliyah (immigration of Jews to Israel) are made through the Jewish Agency abroad. A foreign citizen may also apply for Aliyah at the Ministry of Interior after entering Israel as a tourist or holding an A/1 visa.
Children and grandchildren of Jews (even if they are not Jews themselves) also have the right to immigrate to Israel and receive Israeli citizenship on the basis of the Law of Return, together with their spouses and minor children. Also lawful converts to Judaism have the right to immigrate if they have received a conversion certificate from a recognized Jewish community.
Who might have problems in the immigration process? There are many inidviduals who know that their family is Jewish but have difficulty obtaining documents to prove it. Also, eligible immigrants with a criminal record will have to prove that they are not a danger to public safety. Finally, Jews who have converted to another religion are not eligible to immigrate to Israel. A lawyer specializing in immigration to Israel can help you with any problem in the immigration process, vis-à-vis Interior Ministry officials, Jewish Agency representatives abroad, and the courts.
What Are the Ways to Obtain Israeli Citizenship for Those Who Cannot Prove Jewish Affiliation?
First, Israeli citizenship is transferred from parent to child. Children whose mother or father is an Israeli citizen are citizens from the day of their birth. The Interior Ministry sometimes requires a tissue test to prove paternity of a newborn if the parents are not married, if the birth occurred less than 300 days after the marriage, or if there are other problematic circumstances.
Second, spouses of Israeli citizens, whether in a formal or common-law marriage, are entitled to receive Israeli citizenship through a “graduated procedure,” which takes between five and seven years. During these years, the couple must prove that they live in Israel under the same roof and run a joint household.
Third, Israeli citizenship is also granted to other family members of Israeli citizens. Citizenship is granted for humanitarian reasons to single and elderly parents of Israeli citizens, in order not to separate the foreign parent who is abroad from his only child living in Israel. Parents of Israeli soldiers are also entitled to receive Israeli citizenship.
A lawyer specializing in Interior Ministry matters can assist anyone who has problems with obtaining citizenship, or whose citizenship has been canceled by the Ministry of Interior. Legal proceedings concerning citizenship are conducted in the district court if the issue is not resolved vis-à-vis the Ministry of Interior representatives.

Temporary Residence Visas in Israel
Israel has become an attractive country for visitors in recent years, whether for tourism or other purposes, such as foreign workers, volunteer students, and clerics. Any entry of a foreign citizen into Israel requires a specific visa, issued by the Israeli immigration authorities at the border crossings or by the Ministry of Interior after applying for one.
Tourist Visa
Millions of tourists enter Israel every year through the border crossings, usually through the Ben Gurion Airport. Entry into Israel requires a B/2 tourist visa. Some countries of the world are exempt from the requirement to obtain an entry visa in advance; in other words, citizens of those countries receive a tourist visa to Israel upon arriving at the border crossing. The visa is usually given for a period of three months. However, border control officials are authorized to refuse or restrict the entry into Israel of anyone suspected of planning to illegally work or stay in the country, or, of course, anyone suspected of criminal activity or threatening national security.
A lawyer specializing in immigration to Israel can act to cancel a refusal of entry or remove barriers to entry into Israel if the decision of Interior Ministry was made by mistake or is unreasonable.
Foreign Workers in Israel – B/1 Visa – Work Permit
Foreign workers in Israel receive a B/1 visa, which is granted for a period of up to five years; however, renewal is required every year. Foreign workers come to Israel to help with caring for the elderly and disabled, agriculture, and construction. These workers come through recruitment companies in accordance with agreements between Israel and the countries of origin of the foreign workers.
Expert foreign workers receive double the average salary in the Israeli market (as of 2020, approximately NIS 20,000 per month for expert workers). Expert workers come to Israel to work in high-tech or advanced technology companies, but also as chefs in Asian restaurants or at Israeli companies who invite them for their specific expert knowledge.
Student Visas, Volunteer Visas, and Clergy Visas
Students, volunteers, and clerics receive specific residence visas granted based on recommendation of the academic institution at which they study or the organization at which they volunteer or serve as clerics. These residence visas are temporary and, after the visas expire, the foreign citizens holding them are required to return to their country of origin.
How Do You Choose a Lawyer Specializing in Interior Ministry Matters?
It is advisable to choose a lawyer who is familiar with the specific field in which you have encountered the problem. It is worth asking the lawyer if he has experience in the field and if he has successfully helped others with a similar problem in the past. Professional knowledge of the relevant laws and the right actions to take vis-à-vis the Ministry of Interior can prevent mistakes.
Contact Us – Lawyer Specializing in Immigration to Israel
The lawyers at our law firm have many years of experience working with the Israeli immigration authorities. We would love to hear how we can help you with any issues related to the Ministry of Interior or immigration authorities. Contact us to schedule a conversation today with a lawyer specializing in Interior Ministry matters.