Post Aliyah to Israel

First steps in Israel after Aliyah. what you need to do or know as a new Oleh in Israel

Candidates Eligible for Assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption:

New Immigrant | Minor Immigrant | Immigrant Citizen | Child of Immigrants | Immigrant Family | Returning Minor | Returning Resident

New Immigrant

A new immigrant is a person who came to Israel and received the status of "new immigrant" from the Ministry of Interior, according to the Law of Return - 1950.

The Law of Return states that every Jew, his/her spouse, his children and grandchildren and their spouses are entitled to immigrate to Israel (except for several irregular cases that are mentioned in the Law of Return.)

Persons with a "new immigrant" status are entitled to special assistance given to immigrants by governmental ministries and various other organizations, according to predetermined criteria.

Conditions for receiving Ministry of Immigrant Absorption assistance Obtaining "new immigrant" status from the Ministry of The Interior.

New Immigrant Status

A new immigrant or a person who has received the status of Temporary Resident A/1 prior to 1.1.92 and who are at least 17 years old on the day the receive the status, with the exception of people included in the definition of an adult child of an immigrant.

Ministry of Immigrant Absorption assistance includes the following:

•    Absorption Basket

•    Income Insurance during the first year following immigration to immigrants who do not receive the Absorption Basket, to immigrants who appear before the Employment Bureau and to immigrants studying in courses.

•   Customs Grant to people who come from countries which are entitled to a custom grant.

•    Hebrew Studies (ulpan).

•    Assistance in Housing.

•    Assistance in Employment.

•    Assistance in establishing in independent business - Business Entrepreneurship.

•    Tuitiion Fee Assistance in institutions of higher education.

•    Assistance to Soldiers

Immigrant Minor

An Immigrant Minor is an immigrant who falls into one of the following categories:

A. One who came to Israel between the ages of 14-17, without his parents, and received a "new immigrant" visa from the Ministry of the Interior.
Assistance - absorption basket assistance according to age. Other types of assistance may be provided from the age of 17, or upon the completion of studies.

B. One who made aliyah before the age of 14, who resides in an boarding school educational framework for the first year following aliyah, and remains in that framework until at least age 17, and whose parents did not make aliyah. Such an immigrant receives assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption from the age of 17 only.

An immigrant minor may be eligible for assistance in the following areas: absorption basket, Hebrew studies, housing, employment, business entrepreneurship, assistance for soldiers, tuition fees at institutions of higher education and income insurance.

Immigrant Citizen

An immigrant citizen is a person who was born abroad to an Israeli citizen, and would be eligible to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return if they did not already hold Israeli citizenship.

Period of eligibility: from the time of receipt of an Israeli Identity Certificate.

Assistance: Assistance is the same as that for a new immigrant.

Required documents:

•    Passports or alternate documents that indicate length of visits in Israel. •    Updated Identification Certificate
•    Two passport photos

Customs - information pertaining to exemption from taxes can be received only at certified customs bureaus and only information provided by said bureaus should be addressed.

Health Insurance – information about health insurance can be received in National Insurance Institute offices that are nearest to your place of residence.

Where can one obtain exact information and assistance?

information and assistance for aliyah to Israel can be obtained Israelabroad at Immigration Centers and Department of the Jewish Agency and from authorized immigration emissaries Israel but final approval of status will be obtained in Israel from the bureaus of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and Customs Tax offices.

Child of an immigrant

The child of an immigrant is a single inspanidual who immigrated to Israel close to the time of his parents.

Age of immigration:
Adult child of immigrant - age 17 to 21
Minor child of immigrant - under 17 years old

Immigration close to the time of this parents:
Adult child of immigrants - immigrated with his parents, or one year before his parents, or within the year after his parents.
Minor child of immigrants - immigrated with his parents or without his parents, or within one year and has yet to turn 17 when his parents received new immigrant status.

The Rights of a Child of Immigrants The child of immigrants is entitled to all assistance given to any other immigrant, except in the following two areas:
•    Housing: a single child of immigrants is not entitled to housing assistance (mortgage, rent or public housing) separate from his family.

Comment - a child of immigrants who marries an immigrant is entitled to a mortgage for an immigrant family. Children of immigrants who marry other children of immigrants, or children of immigrants who marry veteran Israelis, are entitled to the rights of young veteran couples.

Custome Grant:
for immigrants from countries which are entitled to a custome grant. Children of immigrants are entitled to this grant if they are over 23 at the time of their immigration, or they married an immigrant, or a child of an immigrant, during their first year in the country.

Custome Tax: in general, any person who came to Israel as a minor is not entitled to an exemption from customs tax. Details on eligibility for this should be clarified at the Customs Tax offices .

Returning Minor

A returning minor is one who left the country with his parents before the age of 14 and returned Israelfor permanent residence at or after the age of 17.

Criteria for receiving assistance as a "returning minor" are as follows:

a. Duration of stay abroad: lived abroad for 4 continuous years.

b. Stay in Israel that does not affect eligibility
•    Visits of less than four months every year do not count as returning to Israel

•    For anyone who served in the army in regular service or in National Service - A stay of up to four months before or after Army or National service does not count as returning to Israel.

•    School year: stays in Israel for one academic year at a recognized institution, or in a program sponsored by the Jewish Agency, youth movement or pre-military program. This year is in addition to the four years spent abroad.

c. Status of citizenship: returned to Israel as an Israeli citizen. At his time of return would have been eligible to receive an immigrant visa according to the Law of Return - 1950 if he weren't an Israeli citizen.

d. Army service: the returning minor must register at the induction station and bring written approval of this, or receive an exemption from enlistment.
Exempt from the requirement to present registration form and exemption (ptor): women over 25, non-single women or mothers and men over 40.

Parents' occupation abroad:
His parents were not employed by one of the parties specified below and did not represent any Israeli organization overseas for the five years that preceded his return to Israel.

The organizations include:

•    The State of Israel

•    One of the authorities in Israel including government companies.

•    World Zionist Organization or one of its authorities.

•    The Jewish Agency

•    Jewish National Fund

•    Keren Hayesod

•    The Bonds

A private or public Israeli employer including organizations registered outside of Israel and that complies with one of the following conditions:

1. control over his business and regulations operating in Israel

2. Its name as a corporate name that was first registered in Israel.

3. The name of the company is identical (or identical in principle) to the name of the company in which parent worked in Israel.

Required Documentation:

•    Authorization of registration at an I.D.F. recruitment office or exemption from army service or authorization of postponement of service.

•    Updated Identification Certificate.

•    Passport with date of leaving the country prior to the age of 14.

•    Passports or alternative documents proving continuous stay abroad (study authorizations, annual report cards from primary or high schools, institutions of higher education or yeshivot, excluding diplomas, official authorizations from income tax authorities or national insurance abroad.)

•    Passports with the date of the parents' departure of the country (or alternative documents).

•    Two passport photos.

•    Letter of approval of one year of study in Israel (for persons who studied in Israel).

Customs: information concerning exemption from taxes can be obtained only at the customs offices; only information provided by the office is considered valid.

Where can one obtain exact information and assistance?

•    Abroad: information and assistance for returning to Israel can be obtained at the Immigration Centers and Department of the Jewish Agency and fromauthorized immigration emissaries, but final approval of status will be obtained in Israel from the bureaus of the Ministry of immigrant of Absorption and Customs offices.

•    In Israel: Information and guidance can be obtained at the bureaus and branches of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. Matters concerning customs tax can be obtained only at the Customs Tax offices .

Immigrant Family

A family where all members have an immigrant status.

Mixed Immigrant Family
A new immigrant / returning minor / immigrant citizen married to a veteran Israeli and has a child who was born overseas and who is subject to one of the two conditions specified below will be considered an immigrant family:

a. The child was born before the eligible parent received "immigrant" status.

b. The child was born after the eligible parent received "immigrant" status, and at least one year has passed since both spouses left the country.

Documents:

Eligibility for an immigrant certificate / certificate of eligibility.

The certificate will be registered in the name of the new immigrant / returning minor / immigrant citizen who is married to a veteran Israeli as specified in the regulations pertaining to this matter.

Details about Eligibility

A family, where one of the spouses has "immigrant", "immigrant citizen" or "returning minor" status may receive housing assistance Israeland assistance in other areas as specified in the regulations pertaining to this matter, like an immigrant family.

The veteran Israeli spouse will not be entitled to receive inspanidual assistance for himself or herself other than assistance given in accordance with eligibility for a returning resident, if he complies with the definition of a returning resident.

Returning Resident

A "returning resident" is an Israeli citizen who spent at least two years abroad.

Criteria for receiving assistance as a "returning citizen" are as follows:

1. Has Israeli citizenship.

2. Spent at least two years abroad.
Scientist - requirements for receiving assistance from the Center for Absorption in Science is a stay of at least three years abroad.

3. Has visited Israel for less than four continuous or cumulative months in every year, during the years prior to his return to Israel. Scientist - visited Israel for less than four months in the three years prior to his return to Israel.
4. The determining age for receiving assistance is 17 and up. In the fields of assistance that have an age limitation - the age is that determined in Ministry of Immigrant Absorption regulations.

5. He, his spouse, or his parents were not on any public mission during the five years prior to their return to Israel. Public mission refers to any position on behalf of a state organization, the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency, Jewish National Fund (J.N.F.), Keren Hayesod or the Bonds.

6. Has not received prior assistance as a returning resident from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

For details on assistance please see chapter on Returning Residents.


Temporary Resident - A/1 The status of Temporary Resident - A/1 - is temporarily granted, upon request to the Ministry of Interior to inspaniduals who are eligible for "immigrant" status. This status is given for a period of 3 years, at the end of which the temporary resident receives permanent status.

Temporary residents A/1 are not entitled to receive direct assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and other ministries, with the exception of those who received Temporary Resident status prior to 1/1/92. Such inspaniduals receive the same assistance as all other immigrants.

Last updated 18/10/07

Period of eligibility

Period of eligibility and assistance for new immigrants

Assistance offered to immigrants is time limited. The period of eligibility and duration of assistance changes based on the type of assistance.

Comments			Period of Assistance	Period of Eligibility	Type of Assistance	Field of Assistance
			6 months	One year from the date of immigration	Absorption Basket	Financial Assistance for Initial Absorption
			One time in two payments	4 years from the date of immigration	Customs Grant	Costome Grant
Income Insurance and transport costs to ulpan - to those not entitled to Absorption Basket			6 months	The first year and a half First year First Year	A. eligibility for Hebrew Studies B.Income Insurance. C. Trans-sportation	Hebrew Studies (Ulpan A)
The period of eligibility is 10 years. Immigrants who arrive in Israel betwewwn 1.9.89 and 31.12.96 today are entitled to 15 years, but no later than 1.1.07. For those entitled to Income Insurance who are homeless, the assistance in rental fee is not limited.			4 years	5 years from the date of immigration -including year of Absorption Basket.	A.Rental Fee Assistance to people from countries eligible for the obsorption basket , othet countries	Housing (In cooperation with the Ministry of Housing)
			One time	10 years from the date of immigration	Mortgage
			One time	10 years from the date of immigration	Public Housing
Only for those looking for work and course participants			6 months	1 year from the date of immigration	Income Insurance	Employment
			Throughout the course ther than teacher certification course	10 years since immigration eligibility	Licensing, Training and Retraining Courses
			12 months	10 years from the date of immigration	Advancement & placement in employment
			One time grant	10 years from the date of immigration	Athletes
			Up to 12 month	10 years from the date of immigration	Aged 45+
			One time grant	10 years from the date of immigration	Artists
Takes place mainly in Ministry bureaus			No more than Two trainings	10 years	Evening Training
Takes place mainly in Ministry bureaus			Six months In accordace with employment regulations or instructions	One year 15 years	Income Supplement Special Populations Ethiopain population
Scientists in the social sciences and humanities are entitled to an extension of the period of assistance by one additional year – up to 4 years			Up to 4 years	Commencement of assistance within 3 years of immigration	Participation in the costs of hiring a scientist	Absorption in Science
			One time	10 years from the date of immigration. For Ethiopian immigrants, 15 years from the date of immigration	Guidance Professional Counseling, Loan	Business Entrepreneurship
			Up to 3 years of study	According to regulations of the Student Authority	Tuition fees, Loans	Student Authority
			Months 7-12 following immigration	One year from the date of immigration	A.Income for the dependent	Financial Aid
According to recommendation of a special committee of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and Jewish Agency			One time	First 4 months from the date of immigration	B.Refugee from emergency region
Only in special cases			One time	5 years from the date of immigration	C.Fund of the regional director
Lone soldiers, Ethiopian soldiers and those entitled to special grants from the I.D.F.				3 years from the date of immigration	Grant	Soldiers

Various certificates given to immigrants

Immigrant's Certificate

An Immigrant's Certificate is a booklet issued by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption to any person who received the status of "immigrant".
The booklet, which is given to the family as a whole and not to an inspanidual, registers all types of assistance given to the family.
You must present your Immigration Certificate every time you contact any of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption branches and bureau.

Certificate of Eligibility

A Certificate of Eligibility is given by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption to any person who is entitled receive assistance as an immigrant but is not considered an immigrant according to the Law of Return, such as an "immigrant citizen" or "returning minor".

Where does one receive assistance?

Most forms of assistance granted by the Ministry are given in the bureaus and branches nearest to your place of residence.

Additional Information

Assistance from the Jewish Agency
Exemptions from Customs Tax
Grants from the Institute of National Insurance

Extension of the Period of Eligibility

Extension of the Period of Eligibility Following Stays Overseas

Assistance given to new immigrants by government authorities is dependent on residence in Israel, and ceases in most cases if the recipient leaves the country.

Resumption of assistance upon return is possible only for certain types of assistance, given by specific government bodies.

The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption assists new immigrants who fulfill conditions of eligibility, provided that they have not received similar assistance in the past.

However, the period of eligibility for some forms of assistance cannot be extended.

General Note

Every immigrant's status is different regarding the assistance they may have already received and the period of time spent in Israel.

If you plan to leave Israel you should verify all terms and conditions you will need to fulfill in order to receive assistance, prior to your departure.

Calculating the Period of Eligibility

According to Ministry of Immigrant Absorption regulations, one who is within their period of eligibility, and who travels overseas for a period of more than six consecutive months, can have their rights for various forms of assistance frozen until their return.

Visits to Israel will be considered part of the period of eligibility.

Stays overseas of six months that include visits to Israel are considered as residence in Israel, and do not qualify for an extension.

Extension of Eligibility Applies to Most Forms of Assistance Given by the Ministry of Absorption (if the new immigrant did not receive the same assistance in the past), for example:


•   Eligibility to receive assured income from the Ministry of Absorption - for one who has been in Israel for less than one year. Assistance is given until the end of the first year following aliyah only.

•   Eligibility for assistance with mortgages - The period of eligibility will be based on the date of aliyah. The period of eligibility for those who made aliyah before 1/9/89 is seven years. For people who immigrated after 1/09/89, the period of eligibility will be 15 years.

•   Eligibility for assistance in public housing - eligibility for assistance for public housing to new immigrants who are eligible to receive this housing is 15 years from the date of aliyah.

•   Eligibility for courses - for those who have not studied in a course previously is 10 years from the date of aliyah.

•   Employment assistance for those who have not yet received such assistance. Eligibility is for 10 years from the date of aliyah.

•   Students who meet all Student Authority requirements (e.g. age and continuity of study).

•   Customs Grant – note changes in the sums of the grant and terms of payment.

Examples of Fields that are Not Eligible for Extension of Eligibility:

•   Absorption Basket - extension of eligibility is granted only to those who traveled overseas and returned to Israel within one year of receipt of new immigrant status.

•   Assistance in Rent - rental subsidies are for a five year period only. There is no possibility of extending this period of eligibility. One who left Israel prior to 1/1/90 and can receive a rental subsidy of NIS 250 per month for one year only.

Note: Certain returning immigrants can receive rental subsidies as veteran Israelis, including families with a large number of children, those who receive income assistance from the National Insurance Institute).

•   Customs - There is no extension of the period of eligibility for returning minors who travel overseas (with the exception of those who serve in the IDF or study in a university, and who fulfill all other conditions of the Customs Authority). It is important that you check with the Customs Authority for details.

•   Acquisition Tax - There is no extension of the period of eligibility for those who travel overseas. If you have deviated from the period of eligibility for the discount in this tax (7 years from the date of aliyah), you may appeal to the exceptions committee.

Note: Ministry of Immigrant Absorption regulations are subject to change. The procedure determining provision of assistance is the one that is in effect at the time you receive assistance following your return to Israel.

Ministries you should check to clarify the possibility of extension of assistance:

Customs – You should clarify your eligibility before traveling overseas. Returning citizens should check directly with Customs.

With National Insurance – prior to your trip overseas, you should clarify the terms to receive assistance upon your return.
Anyone who leaves the country following a short period of residence in Israel will have to fill conditions of residence of one to two years upon return before being eligible to receive assistance granted by the National Insurance (depending on the length of stay overseas). Anyone who travels overseas following a longer period in the country must make arrangements to preserve the continuation of eligibility of assistance.

It is important to check the continuity of payments to people receiving old age pensions who travel overseas.

Important!
This information is general instruction only. National Insurance determines eligibility on a case-to-case basis.
Be sure to consult directly with National Insurance and check your personal eligibility with them.

Health Insurance

Delays in receiving coverage for health services may occur due to the residency check by National Insurance. One should take out traveler's insurance to cover the transition period.

Note: As of 2003, there will be changes in the National Health Insurance law regarding those who are overseas for an extended period.

Information - For Additional Information, see the National Insurance Website

Ministry of Housing - Be sure to check your eligibility for a te'udat zeka'ut, listing you as "without housing." Important information is found on the Ministry of Housing Website.

Important general information is found on the websites of the Ministry of immigrant Absorption, Customs and National Insurance. Remember that the only binding information is that information delivered in writing, or verbally, by a representative of that institution.

Where can you find out?

Overseas

Anyone who resided in Israel as an immigrant for a period of less than 7 consecutive, or cumulative, years should contact a representative of the Jewish Agency nearest to their place of residence.

You should check which documents are required by the various institutions in Israel.

Anyone who resided in Israel for over 7 consecutive years, or cumulative, years, can contact the nearest Israeli consulate and clarify whether they are eligible for assistance as a returning citizen.

In Israel

In the bureaus of Ministry of Immigrant Absorption

National Insurance branches

Local Customs bureaus.

Personal Documents

The granting of any kind of benefits or assistance by any government body is dependent upon proper registration of citizenship and status with the Population Registry of the Ministry of the Interior.

For example, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption extends assistance only to those who hold new immigrant status.

Anyone who previously resided in Israel as a temporary resident and returns to the country may receive new immigrant status from the Israeli embassy or consulate overseas. Registration of your family status will be certified by the Ministry of the Interior upon return to the country. Until such certification is received, it is not possible to receive any assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Changes in Personal Status - Anyone who resided in Israel in the past as a temporary resident or new immigrant, and whose family status has changed overseas (e.g. has gotten married, has had children, has gotten spanorced or has remarried) must be sure to register these changes with the Population Registry immediately upon return to Israel.

The Documents - Make sure to bring original documents attesting to changes in your family status, as well as copies certified by the Israeli consulate or embassy where you resided.

In countries that are signatories to the Convention, apostille documents (official confirmation that the clerk signed on the document is certified to confirm said document).

Important! The information provided here is general. The determining information is in accordance with regulations and given after return to Israel.

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