It is possible to obtain Israeli citizenship by making Aliyah. It is also possible to automatically inherit mandatory Israeli citizenship at birth.
- One who makes Aliyah, is naturalized or is born in Israel to at least one parent who is an Israeli citizen, toshav arai or toshav keva, automatically becomes a first-generation Israeli. Additionally, anyone who was born in Israel prior to 18/11/1980 or was living in Israel on 14/07/1952 is a first-generation Israeli citizen, unless their citizenship was actively renounced.
- One who is born outside of Israel to a first-generation Israeli automatically inherits mandatory citizenship as a second-generation Israeli.
- Those born outside of Israel to a second-generation Israeli do not inherit citizenship. This is referred to in Hebrew as Dor Shlishi, lit. third generation. Tip: It is advisable to have proof of your status as a dor shlishi ie: birth certificates that show your place of birth and your parents’ place of birth abroad.
An Israeli citizen is required to enter and leave Israel on an Israeli passport and is unable to obtain an Israeli visa.
Note: Through December 31, 2026, Israelis with dual citizenship may enter and exit Israel by presenting only their foreign passports.
Please see here for more information on Israeli Citizenship.
Glossary Of Terms
*Was Naturalized – One who was a toshav keva and reverted to an Israeli Citizen, via a process known as bitul arli or hitezrachut / התאזרחות
*Toshav Keva /תושב קבע – A toshav keva is a permanent resident of Israel. One acquires this status by making Aliya and cancelling it immediately thereafter by filling out a form called “ARLI” which stands for אינו רוצה להיות ישראלי / does not want to be Israeli. A toshav keva loses their status by staying out of Israel for 7 complete, consecutive years as an adult, without a single entry to Israel. Alternatively one can cancel this status at an Israeli embassy or consulate abroad via the same process as cancelling Israeli citizenship. This status cannot be cancelled as long as one remains in Israel. A toshav keva can vote in Municipal elections although he cannot vote for Knesset elections and is eligible for bituach leumi. Children of a toshav keva born in Israel are automatically Israeli citizens. Regarding the army, a toshav keva is technically subject to the same mandatory draft as an Israeli citizen.
*Toshav Arai /תושב ארעי – A toshav arai is a temporary resident of Israel. A toshav arai holds an A category visa, either an A1 or in specific cases an A5. A toshav arai has the right to vote in municipal elections and is eligible for BituachLeumi after having spent 183 days in Israel. Children of a Toshav Arai born in Israel automatically acquire Israeli citizenship although if they are born abroad they are not considered Israeli. A Toshav Arai is not required to serve in the IDF. See here for more information on obtaining this status.
*First Generation Israeli CItizen – A First Generation Israeli citizen is an Israeli citizen who was born in Israel before 18/11/1980 or after 1980 to an Israeli parent or someone who made Aliyah to Israel. Children of a first generation Israeli citizen automatically inherit Israeli citizenship regardless of where they are born.
*Second Generation Israeli Citizen – A Second Generation Israeli citizen refers to someone born abroad to a first generation Israeli citizen. They are considered Israeli citizens even if they never registered their status and are not eligible for a visa to Israel. Children of a second generation Israeli born in Israel will automatically be an Israeli citizen. Children of a second generation Israeli born abroad do not automatically inherit citizenship and are considered foreigners. (A first generation Israeli citizen is an Israeli citizen who was born in Israel before 18/11/1980 or after 1980 to an Israeli parent or someone who made Aliya to Israel.)
*Third Generation /דור שלישי – Children of a Second Generation Israeli citizen who are born abroad are called Third Generation or “Dor Shlishi” and are not Israeli citizens. They are eligible for a visa to israel despite having an Israeli parent. (A Second Generation Israeli citizen refers to someone born abroad to a first generation Israeli citizen. A first generation Israeli citizen is an Israeli citizen who was born in Israel before 18/11/1980 or after 1980 to an Israeli parent or someone who made Aliya to Israel.)
*Katin Chozer /קטין חוזר – A katin chozer is a returning minor. An Israeli citizen who left Israel under age 14 to establish residency abroad, does not cancel their citizenship and returns to live in Israel as an adult. They are eligible to join Bituach Leumi immediately without any waiting period, however they will need to first obtain a teudat zehut (ID) card from the Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) and go to Misrad Haklita to establish their status as a katin chozer. Misrad Haklita will also let them know what benefits they are entitled to.
*Toshav Chozer /תושב חוזר – A toshav chozer is a returning resident. An Israeli citizen who left Israel over the age of 14 to establish residency abroad, does not cancel Israeli citizenship and returns to live in Israel. They will need a waiting period of up to 6 months before being eligible for Bituach Leumi. There is also an option to pay to redeem the waiting period and join Bituach Leumi immediately. They may be eligible for benefits depending on the amount of time spent abroad. Contact Misrad Haklita for assistance. If there is an urgent need for Bituach Leumi immediately, e.g. if the individual has a pre-existing condition and cannot obtain private medical coverage, please email support@chaimvchessed.org for assistance.
*Ezrach Oleh/ אזרח עולה – An ezrach oleh is an individual who was born abroad to a first generation Israeli citizen and is automatically considered an Israeli citizen, even if they are not registered as such, that now wishes to establish residency in Israel. They will need to register as a citizen if they have not yet done so and then obtain a teudat zehut (ID) card from The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim). They will then need to go to Misrad Haklita who will tell them which benefits they are entitled to and they will then be eligible to register with Bituach Leumi without any waiting period. See here for more information on registering as an Ezrach Oleh.
*Misrad Hakilta / משרד הקליטה – Misrad Haklita is the Ministry of (Aliya and) Integration. The Jerusalem branch is located at 4 Mevo Ha’Matmid and can be reached at 1-599-500-923.
Information hotline (for residents outside Jerusalem area): 03-973-3333 or *2994.
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 am-1:30 pm; Monday and Wednesday 3:00 pm-6:30 pm – appointments are required.
Urgent cases with no appointment: Tuesday 8:30 am-1:00 pm
Full listing of branches countrywide available online.
*Ben Mehagrim /בן מהגרים – A ben mehagrim / ben mehager is a child of immigrants/ an Israeli citizen whose parents immigrated to another country. This refers to an Israeli citizen who was born abroad or who left Israel and established residency abroad before age 16. A ben mehagrim can receive a deferment from IDF service provided they remain a foreign resident. They are allowed to visit Israel for no more than 120 days per calendar year. In addition, they can receive a one-time deferment to remain in Israel for one year (this may be able to be extended for an additional 3 consecutive years). See here for more information.
*Bituach Leumi / ביטוח לאומי- Bituach Leumi is Israel’s national insurance institute that provides insurance and social security benefits to residents of Israel. Members of Bituach Leumi access healthcare services through one of the 4 health funds/ networks called Kupot Cholim. See here for more information.
*Teudat Zehut /תעודת זהות – Israeli ID card.
