Israeli citizenship is the legal status that gives an individual the rights and responsibilities of being an Israeli citizen. Israeli citizens are entitled to live, work, and vote in Israel, and they are also entitled to Israeli consular protection abroad.
There are two main ways to acquire Israeli citizenship
By birth: A person born in Israel to at least one Israeli citizen parent is automatically an Israeli citizen.
By naturalization: A foreign national can become an Israeli citizen by naturalization if they meet all of the following requirements:
Have resided in Israel for at least three of the previous five years
Hold a valid Israeli permanent residency visa
Renounce any other citizenships they hold – unless it's not demanded
Demonstrate proficiency in the Hebrew language
Take an oath of allegiance to the State of Israel
Most of these are people who finished their process of "family unification" hence are married to an Israeli. In that case, some will not have to be "permanent resident" prior to getting citizenship in most cases.
In addition, there are a number of other ways to acquire Israeli citizenship, such as through marriage to an Israeli citizen (most common, unless you recived permanent resident visa through birth), through military service, or through adoption.
Israeli citizenship is based on the Law of Return, which grants the right of return to Israel to any Jew who wishes to live there. The Law of Return is one of the most fundamental laws of the State of Israel, and it has played a key role in the country's history.
As of 2023, there are approximately 9.5 million Israeli citizens. The majority of Israeli citizens are Jewish (74%), followed by Arabs (21%) and others (5%).
What are the requirements to make Aliyah?
The requirements to make Aliyah, which is the process of immigrating to Israel, are as follows:
Be Jewish: Aliyah is open to any person who is Jewish, as defined by the Law of Return. This means that a person is considered Jewish if they are:
-Born to a Jewish mother
-Converted to Judaism by a recognized Jewish authority
-The grandchild of a Jew
Have no criminal record: You must not have a criminal record in order to make Aliyah. If you have a criminal record, you may still be able to make Aliyah, but you will need to provide documentation of your record and explain the circumstances of your conviction.
Have a passport: You must have a valid passport from your country of citizenship in order to make Aliyah. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of arrival in Israel.
In addition to these general requirements, there are also a number of specific requirements for different categories of immigrants. For example, if you are making Aliyah with a family, you will need to provide documentation of your relationship to your family members. If you are making Aliyah as a student, you will need to provide documentation of your enrollment in an Israeli school.
The application process for Aliyah can be complex, and it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to help you through the process. The Jewish Agency for Israel also provides assistance to people who are making Aliyah – but this doesn't mean in most cases a lawyer's assistance is not needed.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when making Aliyah
The process of making Aliyah can take several months or sometimes years. Be prepared to wait for your application to be processed. That is why many choose to arrive in Israel as tourists and change their status to Oleh Hadash after.
You will need to make arrangements for housing, transportation, and other necessities once you arrive in Israel – unless you are entitled to stay at a center for immigrants, housing provided by the state.
It is important to learn a little Hebrew before you make Aliyah. This will help you to integrate into Israeli society and find a job.
Israeli citizenship by marriage
Marriage/being in a domestic realtionship with an Israeli citizen is one of the ways to acquire Israeli citizenship. However, it is not an automatic process. The foreign spouse must meet certain requirements and go through a naturalization process.
Requirements for Israeli Citizenship by Marriage
To be eligible for Israeli citizenship by marriage, the foreign spouse must:
Being married or having proof of the foreigner and the Israeli together.
By then, filing for a full family unification process that include filing many documetns, going to several interviews and going through a process lasting 5 to 7 years.
Have a valid visa through this process, permanent or temporary (for at least 4 years prior if that's a temporary one).
Renounce any other citizenships they hold (not always).
Demonstrate proficiency in the Hebrew language.
Take an oath of allegiance to the State of Israel.
The Naturalization Process
The naturalization process for Israeli citizenship by marriage typically takes one to two years. The process involves submitting an application to the Ministry of Interior, attending an interview, and taking a Hebrew language test.
Additional Considerations
The Ministry of Interior has the discretion to grant or deny citizenship applications. This means that even if you meet all of the requirements, there is no guarantee that you will be granted citizenship.
The Ministry of Interior may require additional documentation or evidence to support your application – usually proof of center of live in Israel.
It is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to help you through the naturalization process.
Benefits of Israeli Citizenship
Israeli citizens enjoy a number of benefits, including:
The right to live, work, and vote in Israel.
The right to Israeli consular protection abroad.
The right to own property in Israel.
The right to access Israeli healthcare and education.