Who is an Israeli Citizen?
Israeli citizenship can be acquired or inherited, depending on several factors. Here are a few ways that one may acquire or inherit Israeli citizenship.
Children of an Israeli Citizen.
If at least one parent is Israeli at the time of the child’s birth, the child is automatically Israeli if one of the following is true:
- The Israeli parent was born or naturalized in Israel
- The child was born in Israel
In other words, if an Israeli citizen was born or made Aliyah in Israel, he transfers citizenship to his children no matter where they are born. However, Israeli children born outside Israel transfer citizenship only to their offspring who are born in Israel.
Olim.
One who makes Aliyah becomes Israeli.
Children of an Oleh
Children of an Oleh born after the date of Aliyah are automatically Israeli at birth. When both parents make Aliyah, children who were born prior to the date of Aliyah become Israeli. Under some circumstances, however, they can revoke their citizenship between age 16 to 18. When only one parent makes Aliyah, the parents may decide whether children born prior to the date of Aliyah become Israeli along with the Oleh parent or not.
Passport Application
Due to the difficulty of obtaining Israeli passport appointments, as of March 1, dual citizens are allowed to enter and exit Israel using their foreign passports. There is no need for a special ishur as has been required in the past. This dispensation will remain in effect until June 30, 2023.
Israeli citizens are required to enter and exit Israel with an Israeli passport, even if they hold a passport from another country. Currently, all Israeli travel documents issued are biometric.
First-time passports and passport renewals are issued by advance appointment only. To schedule an appointment, visit www.myvisit.com. In order to set up an account that allows you to view your saved appointments, you will need a phone that is SMS-enabled.
Passport for a Minor (Under Age 18)
One parent and the child must be present at Misrad Hapnim to obtain a minor’s passport. If only one parent holds Israeli citizenship, that parent must be present.
If parents are not married, each must affirm and sign his/her consent at a branch of Misrad Hapnim or at an Israeli embassy/consulate abroad before the child can receive a passport.
To obtain a minor’s passport, you will need:
- Teudat zehut of parent(s) with the child listed
- Passport application form
- Payment submitted online (credit card only) or in person (Israeli credit card only)
- For first-time passport or renewal
- Payment in person: 140 NIS
- Advance payment online:
November – February: 95 NIS (temporarily extended to June 30, 2023)
March – October: 125 NIS
- For first-time passport or renewal
- For lost, stolen or ruined passport replacement
- Payment in person: 280 NIS
- Advance payment online
November – February: 235 NIS (temporarily extended to June 30, 2023)
March – October: 265 NIS
In general, a passport photo of the applicant will be taken at the appointment. For small babies, you may consider bringing a photo with you, in case the baby will not cooperate with the Misrad Hapnim staff.
Passports are sent by registered mail to the applicant within 3-4 weeks. Passports of minors are valid for five years only.
Passports for Adults
To obtain an adult passport, you must appear in person at Misrad Hapnim along with:
- Teudat zehut
- Previous passport, if applicable
- Passport application form
- Payment submitted online (credit card only) or in person (Israeli credit card only)
- For first-time passport or renewal
- Payment in person: 265 NIS
- Advance payment online
November – February: 155 NIS (temporarily extended to June 30, 2023)
March – October: 245 NIS
- For lost, stolen or ruined passport replacement
- Payment in person: 545 NIS
- Advance payment online
November – February: 435 NIS (temporarily extended to June 30, 2023)
March – October: 525 NIS
For further details on fees, visit www.gov.il.
Passports are sent by registered mail to the applicant within 3-4 weeks. Adults who agree to have their fingerprints saved in the government archive will receive passports valid for 10 years. Those who do not agree will receive passports valid only for five years.
Emergency Travel
Due to the great demand for Israeli passports, as of November 27, 2022 one can apply for a temporary passport at Misrad Hapnim. This service is available in 28 branches around the country, see here for a list.
Please note: One can only apply at the branch associated with your registered address.
No appointment is necessary. Payment must be made online in advance on go.gov.il/passpay. One must bring along their expired passport (if you have one), a completed temporary passport application form, two updated Israeli passport-size photos and receipt of online payment. You will be asked to leave your documents at the Information Desk.
The temporary passport should be sent to you by registered mail within the week.
The airport’s Misrad Hapnim branch will issue a temporary, non-biometric passport on the spot if there are less than 48 hours to your flight. This service is only provided under specific circumstances, as described on the www.gov.il website.
The Misrad Hapnim is located in Terminal 3 on the 2nd floor. Present them with your teudat zehut, old passport (if applicable) and your flight ticket. In the case of a minor, the same rules for parental consent apply as in the case of a standard passport.
The passport issued will be valid for one year. When you exchange your temporary passport for a full-validity one, you will need to appear in Misrad Hapnim as usual and pay the regular fee (see below)
Airport’s Misrad Hapnim Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 24 hours
Friday and Erev Yom Tov: until 2:00 pm
Motzaei Shabbos: from 9:00 pm
Temporary Passport Fees in the Airport (note: these do not include exchange fees)
- Adult applicant (18 or older) for first time or renewal: 830 NIS
- Adult applicant (18 or older) when passport is lost, stolen, or ruined: 1,100 NIS
- Child applicant (up to age 18) for first time or renewal: 425 NIS
- Child applicant (up to age 18) when passport is lost, stolen or ruined: 565 NIS
Dual Citizens
Israeli citizens must present a valid Israeli passport whenever entering and exiting Israel. This applies to dual citizens, as well. However, if you possess dual citizenship and you must travel in two weeks or less and your Israeli passport is expired, you can go to Misrad Hapnim to apply for a new passport and simultaneously obtain a one-time ishur, free of charge, that permits you to leave the country using your foreign passport. Contact Chaim V’Chessed for further details.
Ben Mehagrim: Foreign Residents and the Army
As a general rule, male and female Israeli citizens who reside outside Israel are permitted to enter Israel for one full year, then 120 days out of any subsequent year, without a draft requirement. They are referred to as bnei mehagrim. Those coming to Israel for the purpose of studying (limudim) can acquire ben mehagrim status for 12-18 months from the Israeli consulate or embassy in their country of residence. They can often extend their draft deferment to span a total of up to four years.
While the ben mehagrim deferment does apply to females as well, single women who attest to being shomrot Torah u’mitzvot can easily receive a draft exemption by making a legal declaration in front of a recognized dayan. It is advisable to put the matter to rest as early as possible.
Read our full guide on Ben Mehagrim.
Common Israeli Citizenship Terminology
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| דרכון | darkon | Passport |
| תעודת זהות | teudat zehut | Identity card |
| מספר זהות | mispar zehut | Identity number |
| ספח | sefach | Attachment to teudat zehut booklet that lists marital status, previous names, children’s names and address |
| עולה | oleh | Jewish immigrant to Israel |
| אזרח | ezrach | Citizen |
| תושב | toshav | Resident |
| קטין חוזר | katin chozer | An Israeli citizen who left Israel before age 14 with at least one parent, spent at least four uninterrupted years abroad, and returned to settle Israel after age 17 |
| תושב חוזר | toshav chozer | Citizen resident of Israel who returns after being absent from the country for at least two years |
| בן מהגרים | ben mehagrim | Term used by the military for a katin chozer/ezrach oleh; those with this status may be eligible for a limited-time army deferment |
| אזרח עולה | ezrach oleh | Child born abroad to at least one Israeli parent who held transferable citizenship at the time of his/her birth |