Moving to another country is a decision that should be taken after a lot of careful planning and consideration. You need to acclimatize with the culture of the new country you’re moving to. Furthermore, knowing the local language is also vital.

If you’re planning to immigrate to Israel, then here’s what you need to know.

The Law of Return

To encourage Jews to immigrate to Israel, the country passed the Law of Return in 1950. The law allows all Jews to return to Israel and obtain citizenship. Certain stipulations define if you’re Jewish or not.

The law considers you to be Jewish if you’re actively practicing Judaism or are the child or grandchild of a Jew. The government of the country has been actively encouraging people to immigrate by giving them privileges and allowances. Furthermore, Jews get citizenship as soon as they arrive in the country.

The immigration process is called Aliyah, and several representatives across the globe consider the immigration cases of prospective immigrants.

Documents Required for Immigration

You need to have a valid passport and proof of Jewishness to complete your immigration process. You need to submit all the relevant documentation to an Aliyah absorption center. In addition to the passport and proof of Jewishness you’d need to provide the following as well:

• Eligibility documents are obtained from the Aliyah center.
• Questionnaire
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate (If applicable)
• Health form.

You’d need to prove your Jewishness by getting a letter from your Rabbi. Alternatively, you can also provide a conversion certificate, your parents’ or grandparents’ marriage certificate if it was provided by an approved Jewish authority.

A Jewish legal representative will ask you thorough questions about the reasons for your immigration, your background, and other plans. Once satisfied, they will inform Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption about your eligibility.

The ministry will invite you to immigrate, and you’ll receive your teudat zehut

(Israeli identification card) and teudat oleh (immigration certificate). Your teudat zehut acts as proof of your Israeli citizenship and immigration.

Recommended Reading: What to Consider Before Moving to a New Country

Permanent Residency for Non-Jews

It is very hard to get permanent residency in Israel if you’re not Jewish or don’t have any Jewish roots. Immigration officers require an extremely valid reason for immigration to the country and residency visas are granted on a case-by-case basis. There are strict questionnaires and background checks for non-Jewish people.

If you’re looking to immigrate to Israel, then it is highly recommended to learn the local language, Hebrew. You can learn Hebrew online to help you assimilate into the Israeli culture.

Contact Ulpan-Or who provides Hebrew language courses for all individuals. Their Rapid Language Acquisition method will allow you to learn Hebrew online with native Israeli teachers. They also provide Israeli immersion services for people looking to immigrate to Israel.

Contact them today if you want to learn more about their services.