What is a Ben Mehagrim?
A ben mehagrim (Lit: son of immigrants) is the son of an Israeli citizen who now lives abroadThe parent(s) may not be in Israel more than 180 days in a calendar year. If the child himself lived outside Israel from before age 16 he may be eligible for an army deferment of one to four years while studying in Israel.
Ben Mehagrim and Draft Deferment
Obtaining a Mispar Zehut
In order to receive a draft deferment based on a Ben Mehagrim status, one must be registered as an Israeli citizen and have a mispar zehut (Israeli ID number). If the individual was never issued a mispar zehut, he will need to obtain one.
To do so, the Israeli parent(s) must visit the nearest Israeli consulate to have the child registered as an Israeli citizen. An appointment should be made in advance.
Please see here for more information on registering as an Israeli citizen.
If the child will be traveling to Israel, he is required to hold an Israeli passport. This can be applied for at the consulate as well. The child must be present at the time.
At this time, dual cItizens may enter and exit Israel using their valid foreign passport. Please see here for more information
Once one is registered as an Israeli citizen and has an Israeli ID number, they can apply for the status of a Ben Mehagrim.
Travel to Israel
Someone who is granted the status of a Ben Mehagrim is allowed to visit Israel for up to 120 days in a calendar year (January – January) without being required to serve in the army.
Additionally they can receive a one-time exemption for a longer stay called a “shnat shehiya.”
Before traveling to Israel:
If an Israeli citizen plans on traveling to Israel, it is important to arrange their Ben Mehagrim status beforehand. This can be done via the nearest Israeli consulate. Email the consulate the following documents:
- Photocopies of both parents’ Israeli passports. If one of the parents does not hold Israeli citizenship, a copy of a foreign passport is required.
- Photocopy of applicant’s passport.
- Application form (7202), found here.
The deferment will be emailed to the applicant.
Once already in Israel:
To apply for a ben mehagrim status when already in Israel, follow the steps below for applying for a shnat shehiya/year’s stay.
Shnat Shehiya and Renewing a Ben Mehagrim Status
If a Ben Mehagrim stays in Israel for more than 120 days in a calendar year, they automatically begin their shnat shehiya.
To apply to remain in Israel for a year’s stay:
If one plans on coming to study, they should ask their school or yeshiva to prepare an official letter on their stationary to be given to Lishkat Hagiyus (the recruiting office). If the student has a biometric teudat zehut (ID card), the letter can be uploaded to their personal account on the IDF website.
If one does not have a teudat zehut, they must go in person to Lishkat Hagiyus (the recruiting office) along with their Israeli passport and a copy of the same letter. Lishkat Hagiyus will file the draft deferment in their system.
The deferment should be valid for a year (the dates will be listed on the document). During this time a Ben Mehagrim can leave Israel at any time. However, if he is abroad for over 60 consecutive days, he risks losing his Ben Mehagrim status.
Tip
If possible, the applicant should request a physical document attesting to the deferment. Bring that document along to any dealings with Israeli bureaucracy, including the airport. Make a copy of it for safekeeping.
Extending a Shnat Shehiya
If a shnat shehiya will expire while the individual is in Israel, it may be able to be extended for up to three more consecutive years. Please note: an extension must be applied for before it expires. If it expires, the individual may lose their Ben Mehagrim status completely. Furthermore, if a shnat shehiya expires while one is out of the country, it will not be able to be renewed upon return to Israel.
To renew a shnat shehiya, follow the steps above for applying for a year’s stay. This may be repeated until one has had a deferment for a total of 4 years.
Note
If one does not apply for a shnat shehiya but remains in Israel even one day more than 120 days, they will begin the “year” automatically. In that case, as soon as they leave Israel, the shnat shehiya will expire with no option to extend it. Therefore if one wishes to leave and return, it is critical to apply for the shnat shehiya as detailed above.
Note
If a Ben Mehagrim lived in Israel between the ages of 10 to 18 years, the deferment will be given for one year only, with no option to extend.
See here to learn more about establishing residency in Israel beyond the period of a Ben Mehagrim deferment.
Women and the Draft
Single girls who hold Israeli citizenship are not required to serve in the army if they are legitimately shomrot Torah u’mitzvot. To receive a draft exemption, all that is required is a declaration from a dayan certifying that the young woman is shomeret Torah mitzvot.
To receive an exemption as a shomeret Torah mitzvot:
First, obtain a document from the Dayan. The applicant should go to the nearest beit din rabbani with their passport/teudat zehut and any other legal documents they have with them, and request the document. No appointment is needed. There is a charge for issuing this letter, payable with an Israeli credit card only.
If one has a biometric teudat zehut, this letter can be uploaded to one’s personal account on the IDF website.
If one only has an Israeli passport, they must bring the letter to Lishkat Hagiyus (the recruiting office) along with their passport and legal documents. Lishkat Hagiyus will file the draft exemption in their system.
Married women are completely exempt from the draft. If one’s teudat zehut is updated with their married status, they should not need to do anything more to receive an exemption.
Office Information
Lishkat Hagiyus – Jerusalem
Rechov Rashi 103, off Sarei Yisrael
Sunday – Thursday 7:30 am–5:00 pm
Phone Service: 1111 or 03-569-1000, Sunday – Thursday, 7:30 am–5:00 pm
Beit Din Rabbani – Jerusalem
Rechov Am V’Olamo 4, off Kanfei Nesharim (Givat Shaul)
Sunday – Thursday 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Phone: *5889
