Briefly about the main thing
Favorable climate, high standard of living, developed infrastructure, absence of a language barrier, good medicine and excellent social conditions are what first of all attracts to Israel both tourists and repatriates who have decided to move to their historical homeland and move their family here. So, since 1989, about a million repatriates from Russia and the former CIS countries have moved to Israel. At the same time, many of them retained Russian, Ukrainian and other citizenship. By providing people of Jewish nationality with all the opportunities for comfortable relocation and adaptation, Israel, however, is not so open to people who do not have Jewish roots: it is not at all easy for them to obtain citizenship of the country.
For tourists between Israel and Russia, as well as the European Union, there is a visa-free regime. Thus, Russian and European tourists can visit Israel for up to 90 days within six months, as well as cross the country as passengers on transit flights. No special documents other than a passport valid for at least six months are required. However, for presentation at customs, it is desirable to have documents guaranteeing the purpose of the visit and the place of temporary residence in Israel, as well as his return to his homeland. These include return tickets, hotel reservations or an invitation from relatives (medical institution) indicating the temporary address and signature of the receiving party, medical insurance, cash or confirmation of the availability of funds in a bank account.
There are categories of foreigners who will need a visa to stay in Israel. These are primarily people going to the country to work for hire or do business, students, diplomats and holders of official passports, representatives of religious denominations invited by religious organizations in Israel, as well as volunteers.
Visas are issued at the Israeli Embassy in Russia or consulates in other countries, and a standard package of documents required for a specific visa category is required to obtain them.
Buying a property
Purchase real estate in Israel does not make it possible to obtain a residence permit or obtain citizenship of the country. Also, there is no such thing as an "investment residence permit" in the country: buying an apartment, house or business does not give a foreigner the right to apply for the status of a resident of Israel. There are very rare exceptions when a foreign citizen has made such a significant contribution to the country's economy that the government has decided to grant him permanent residence or citizenship. But there are few such cases in history. In general, there are no restrictions in Israel on the purchase of residential or commercial real estate by citizens of other countries, although there are additional tax burdens for them.
Repatriation
In 1950, the Israeli government issued a law "On repatriation", according to which all Jews have the right to move for permanent residence (repatriation) to Israel. Citizenship can be obtained only by Jews or descendants of Jews up to the third generation, that is, children and grandchildren of Jews, as well as spouses of children, with the exception of those who voluntarily changed their religion.
Repatriates and other categories of citizens who want to move to Israel on a permanent basis, after collecting the necessary documents, first receive a temporary residence permit (there are several types of them), and then go through the citizenship registration procedure.
To obtain a residence permit, repatriates must provide the following list of documents to the Repatriation Department of the Israeli Embassy:
- Valid international passport;
- 3X4 photo for each applicant;
- Completed questionnaire;
- All official documents certifying kinship, as well as family archives, correspondence, photographs, etc.;
- List and copies of documents of Israeli relatives.
Spouses of repatriates who are not Jews can also move to Israel for permanent residence. To do this, a married couple applies to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where their documents undergo a series of checks, and then are sent to the Liaison Office of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. If everything is in order, then the foreign spouse receives an A-5 visa (temporary identity card), which has a validity period of one year and can be renewed annually.
The main types of visas in Israel
Category A visas (residence permit)
A-1
This visa, or temporary residence permit, is issued for up to three years to persons who have the right to apply to the State of Israel with a request for citizenship. The purpose of this visa is to enable the future repatriate to live for a certain time on the territory of Israel in order to finally decide for himself the question of permanent residence.
A-2
It is issued to students who will be studying in Israel for several years. In addition to the main package of documents for obtaining this visa, the applicant must provide a certificate from the educational institution about admission to study. As well as evidence that a foreigner who has applied for an A-2 visa is financially secure and has the opportunity to bear financial expenses for the time of receiving education.
A-3
It is issued to representatives of various religious denominations arriving in Israel in order to undergo certain religious procedures.
A-4
It is issued to the spouse or child (under the age of 18) of a person who has been granted A-2 or A-3 visas.
A-5
«Temporary resident» General purpose visa. This is exactly the category of visas that is issued upon approval of the possibility of temporary residence in Israel to a spouse of non-Jewish origin. As a rule, an A-5 visa is issued for a period of one year in order to verify the seriousness of the spouses' intentions regarding cohabitation.
Category B visas
In-1
Temporary work visa, which is granted to foreigners arriving in Israel for temporary employment. Initially, it is issued on the basis of the employer's application with the provision of all necessary documents issued before the employee receives this visa.Such a visa is also granted to "temporary" categories of citizens who apply for an Israeli residence permit: non-Jewish spouses, elderly parents whose children permanently reside in Israel. Subsequently, they can get an A-5 visa, and after several years of living in Israel, and a permanent residence permit of the country.
In-2
Tourist visa. It has a strict time frame. It is provided to foreign tourists and is extended exclusively by the Israeli Interior Ministry after the latter receives full information about the purposes and terms of the extension.
In-3
A visa granted for up to one month in order to clarify unclear and non-standard situations.
In-4
A visa granted to foreigners for conducting volunteer work at a strictly specified facility on the territory of Israel, without appropriate remuneration.
Permanent residence
After the required period of residence in Israel, repatriates receive a permanent residence permit, which provides the same benefits as citizenship, in addition to the right to participate in elections (or run for government) and obtain an Israeli passport. Permanent residents choose categories of citizens whose states prohibit dual citizenship. A permanent residence permit is automatically granted to the great-grandchildren of Jews who enter Israel with their immigrant parents.
Citizenship
Naturalization and granting citizenship are the two main ways to obtain Israeli citizenship. Naturalization is a full-fledged entry of a repatriate into the life of the country, acceptance of its foundations, participation in social life, compliance with rules and requirements (including staying in the territory of the state on a temporary residence permit). The award of citizenship by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Israel is a rare case, issued to persons who have made a tangible contribution to the economy or development of the country, as well as minor children living in Israel, at the request of their parents.
Repatriates can apply for citizenship:
- Who have lived in Israel for three out of five years on a residence permit (including a work visa, a spouse or parent visa, as well as some "humanitarian" types of visas;
- Located on the territory of Israel at the time of submission of documents;
- Having proof of financial solvency, availability of housing and work;
- Proficient in Hebrew;
- Ready to renounce their native citizenship.
5 tips for people thinking about moving to Israel
1. If you intend to obtain citizenship It is better to start this process in Russia through the Israeli consulate.
2. Before starting the process of obtaining citizenship in Israel, it is worth paying a preliminary visit to buy real estate, or at least to determine the place of residence.
3. Try to find a job in Israel while still in Russia, in a company according to your main activity profile, or find a remote job in Russia.
4. In Israel, a very cheap mortgage is 2-3% per annum. It makes sense to collect and bring with you approximately 25% of the cost of potential housing, and take out a mortgage for the remaining amount already in Israel.
5. When making transactions with housing, always contact professional realtors specializing specifically in the Israeli real estate market and having serious work experience behind them.
Portal HomesOverseas.ru thanks for the help in preparing the article by Boris Goren (Goren Real Estate) and Olga Weiner.
photocredits: goren real estate / dmitry kruglyak, flickr
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