How to Become an Israeli Citizen

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 References Approved

As the only Jewish-majority state in the world, Israel is naturally a place where many Jews wish to immigrate and become citizens. While Israel welcomes many who wishes to become citizens, it can still be a difficult process to complete. But Israeli law allows for citizenship to be granted through several avenues including naturalization, affiliation (through marriage or descent), and also under the Law of Return. With a little research and hard work, you can learn how to become an Israeli citizen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Gaining Citizenship in Israel by Birth

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Be born in Israel to an Israeli parent. One of the easiest ways to gain Israeli citizenship is by being born in Israel. If one or both of your parents is an Israeli citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically granted citizenship.
- You can prove that you were born in Israel by providing a legal document like a birth certificate.
- Citizenship will likely be granted when you are born in this case.
2
Have Israeli citizens as parents. Even if you were not born in Israel, it is possible to become an Israeli citizen by birth if one or both of your parents is also an Israeli citizen.
- Your parents’ Israeli nationality can have been acquired by birth, by naturalization, by residence, or by the Law of Return.
- To prove that your parents were Israeli, you’ll need to go to the Israeli consulate and bring any documentation you have attesting to their Jewish heritage. This can include passports, identification cards, birth certificates (if this info is listed on the document), marriage licenses, letters from Orthodox rabbis, etc.
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3
Be born in Israel with no other nationality. If you were born in Israel and have never been granted any other official nationality, you can acquire Israeli citizenship. To do so, you must apply for it between your 18th and 25th birthdays.^{[1]
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- You must also have been a resident of Israel for at least five consecutive years at the time of your application for citizenship.
- To apply, you’ll need to go to the Israeli consulate. They will be able to give you the appropriate forms. You’ll need to bring an official document (like a birth certificate) proving that you were born in Israel, along with any other identifying documents you have to explain the status of your nationality.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using the Law of Return

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Understand the Law of Return. The Law of Return is a rule enacted by the Israeli government in 1950 that allows all Jews, both ethnic and religious, to return to Israel as their homeland and gain citizenship.^{[2]
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- This law was created largely to create a route to safety for Jews who were misplaced by the Holocaust, and for their descendants.
- A returning Jew is called an oleh (male) or olah (female).
2
Rely on your Jewish heritage. If you're Jewish, which is defined as being born to a mother who is Jewish or having converted to Judaism, then there is not much that you need to do. Israel will welcome you with open arms. All you have to do is go there and formally request citizenship. ^{[3]
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- You can also be considered a Jew according to this law if you converted to Judaism and are not a member of another religion.
- If you converted to Judaism, you’ll need a letter from an Orthodox rabbi that you can bring to the rabbinical court. This group is part of the Israeli justice system and they determine who is considered Jewish or not.^{[4]
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3
Avoid being considered a threat to the Israeli state. The Israeli government can deny anyone citizenship under the Law of Return who they deem might be a threat to the Israeli population or who might engage in activities intended to harm Jews.^{[5]
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- This caveat is meant as a safeguard for the existing citizens of Israel and to keep people out who mean them harm.
- This means that you should avoid any involvement in extremist groups, especially those who are anti-Semitic. You should also ensure that you have no criminal record and that you aren’t infected with a contagious disease.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Becoming an Israeli Citizen as a Spouse or Descendent

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Go to Israel. If you are the descendent of an Israeli citizen or Jew, or if you have married an Israeli citizen, you are able to apply for citizenship if you intend to settle permanently in Israel. ^{[6]
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- You must settle in Israel to prove that you want citizenship for the right reasons and not just to gain an Israeli passport.
- There is no time limit here on residency here. You just need to show proof that you are settling in Israel permanently. This kind of proof can include rental agreements for housing, work contracts, utility bills in your name, etc. You are not required to work during this time, but it will only help your case if you have work documents to show when you apply for citizenship.
2
Prove your descent. Visit the Israeli consulate or the Ministry of the Interior (Misrad Hapnim) with your birth certificate to prove your descent. You should also take your marriage certificate to the Ministry if your spouse is Jewish or an Israeli citizen.^{[7]
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- This is where the first stage of the application process takes place. They will give you the correct application forms to complete and tell you what other documents they may require from you.
3
Obtain an ID and citizenship. Once you have completed the application, you will be granted an Israeli identification card, along with citizenship documents (including a passport, though this document can take a bit longer to process).^{[8]
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- Apply for an Israeli driver’s license so that you have more documentation proving your residence status.^{[9]
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- The process for attaining an Israeli driver’s license includes getting an eye exam, visiting a physician for a health exam, scheduling a driving lesson, and taking a written examination.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Gaining Israeli Citizenship through Naturalization

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Live in Israel for three out of five years before applying. Before you are eligible to apply for naturalized Israeli citizenship, you must have established your permanent residence in Israel for at least three out of five of the years immediately preceding your application.^{[10]
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- This helps ensure that those applying for citizenship genuinely desire to be part of the Israeli community and have demonstrated it through their ability to live successfully in the country for a reasonably long period of time.
2
Become entitled as a permanent resident. To become a citizen of Israel, you must prove to the government that you intend to settle in Israel permanently. This means residing in Israel, locating employment in Israel, and becoming part of the community.^{[11]
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- Learning how to speak Hebrew is important at this stage as well.
3
Renounce other nationalities. In order to become an Israeli citizen, you must renounce any other nationalities that you currently hold. This does not mean that you must give up your other citizenship, but that you will agree to adhere to the Israeli laws regarding naturalization and gaining citizenship.
- Alternatively, you can prove that you will no longer be a foreign national from the time of becoming a citizen. This can be proven, depending on the circumstance, through various documentation such as your birth certificate, passport, marriage license or divorce decree, etc.

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Do Israeli citizens have to serve in the military?

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The 1949 Israeli Security Service Law makes conscription to military service compulsory for all citizens once they turn 18. Those exempted from mandatory service are the ultra-Orthodox and Arab Israelis. However, according to Avi Jager in The Jerusalem Post (Oct 18, 2018), the army is becoming smaller and more professionalized and draft evasions are growing, with only 35% of the population serving in the military and 65% not participating in compulsory service, much of which is due to an increase in the population of those exempt.
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Can I apply for Israeli citizenship?

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As explained above, Israeli law allows for citizenship to be granted in various ways: Naturalization, affiliation (through marriage or descent), and also under the Law of Return. Under the Law of Return, all Jewish people are entitled to citizenship in Israel. To apply for citizenship, you’ll need to determine which of these avenues best suits your situation, then follow the required method for the application relevant to that.
Question

Can I live in Israel?

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Yes, you can but you will need to determine what visa requirements (visitor, work, etc., visas) are needed, which will depend on where you’re coming from and your nationality. For work opportunities, some basic ability with Hebrew is essential, and professional qualifications are preferred. If living in Israel for the first time, you will need to consider such things as: Security issues (always carry your ID with you), how you will finance your living expenses, which part of Israel you want to live in and the cost of moving (if taking more than your suitcase). It can be helpful to set yourself up with a program that helps people live in Israel for periods of time, as they can partner you with jobs and help with accommodation, etc.

Warnings

If you are of Jewish descent, but actively and willingly practice another religion, you do not qualify for the Law of Return.

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Naturalization may be more complicated if your original nationality is considered by Israel among "enemy nationals."

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If you are non-Orthodox, you may need more proof to be able to obtain citizenship as a Jew.

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If you are Jewish but have a criminal past or some other reason to be considered a danger to the public, your citizenship bid may not be accepted.

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