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:

1.The Israeli parent was born or naturalized in Israel

2.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 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

Israeli citizens are required to enter and exit Israel with an Israeli passport, even if they hold a passport from another country. Currently, all new 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.

In the event that no appointment is available in time for you to receive your passport before you travel, visit Misrad Hapnim without an appointment. You may need to wait until all those with an appointment are serviced.

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:

1.Teudat zehut of parent(s) with the child listed

2.Passport application form

3.Payment submitted online or in person (Israeli credit card only, as of July 2019)


For first-time passport or renewal

Payment in person: 140 NIS

Advance payment online

November – February: 90 NIS

March – October: 125 NIS

For lost, stolen or ruined passport replacement

Payment in person: 280 NIS

Advance payment online

November – February: 230 NIS

March – October: 265 NIS

4.Israeli-size passport photo, recommended but not required (it can be taken at your appointment if you do not come prepared with one)



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:

1.Teudat zehut

2.Previous passport, if applicable

3.Passport application form

4.Payment submitted online or in person (Israeli credit card only, as of July 2019)

For first-time passport or renewal

Payment in person: 270 NIS

Advance payment online

November – February: 155 NIS

March – October: 250 NIS

For lost, stolen or ruined passport replacement

Payment in person: 550 NIS

Advance payment online

November – February: 430 NIS

March – October: 530 NIS



If you have no Israeli credit card, either borrow one and present it along with the owner’s teudat zehut, or pay for a prepaid debit card in the Doar before visiting Misrad Hapnim. For further details on fees, visit gov.il.

Passports are sent by registered mail to the applicant within 3-4 weeks. Adults who agree for their fingerprints to be 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

Temporary Passport at Ben Gurion Airport

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 only under specific circumstances, as described on the www.gov.il website.

Present 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).

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: 825 NIS

Adult applicant (18 or older) when passport is lost, stolen, or ruined: 1,105 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

For Dual Citizens

Israeli citizens must present a valid Israeli passport whenever entering and exiting Israel. However, those with dual citizenship have another option. If you need to 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’mitzvos are authorized to completely and permanently avoid the draft. This can be taken care of easily with a legal declaration from an Israeli dayan. It is advisable to put the matter to rest as early as possible.