Israeli Citizenship by Law of Return (Aliyah)

1. Apply90-180 days
2. Citizenshipgranted

Country

Israel

Program

Israeli Citizenship by Law of Return (Aliyah)

Local name

חוק השבות — עלייה

Type

Ethnic Return

Status

Active

Processing time

90-180 days

Dual citizenship

Allowed

Visa-free countries

166 destinations

Passport rank

#16 (Henley Index)

Under the Law of Return, a Jew, the child or grandchild of a Jew, and specified spouses and widowed spouses may immigrate to Israel. A person who makes Aliyah becomes an Israeli citizen by return on the day of Aliyah, unless they make a timely declaration that they do not wish to become a citizen. Eligible people may instead apply for a temporary A/1 residence visa while deciding whether to immigrate. A Jew is defined by law as someone born to a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism and who is not a member of another religion; the law excludes a person who was Jewish and voluntarily changed religion.

Passport fee

$98

• Police clearance required
• Medical exam not required
• Interview required

Generational limit

2 generation(s)

Ancestor citizenship

Not required

Ethnic origin

Jewish

Method

Agent, in person

Apply from abroad

Yes

Application type

Open

Official website

www.gov.il

Legal basis

Law of Return 5710-1950, §§1, 2, 4A; Citizenship Law 5712-1952, §§2, 14

Citizenship under this route is acquired by return on the date of Aliyah; eligible people who do not yet wish to become citizens can apply for an A/1 temporary residence visa, which is a separate status. Law of Return eligibility extends to a Jew, their child or grandchild, the spouse of a Jew or of their child or grandchild, and specified widowed spouses. A person who was Jewish and voluntarily changed religion is excluded. The law defines a Jew as someone born to a Jewish mother or converted and not belonging to another religion. A great-grandchild does not qualify independently under the Law of Return; a specific Population and Immigration Authority service provides a status route for some great-grandchildren under 18 whose parents are eligible. Aliyah applications may be handled abroad through the Jewish Agency or in Israel through the Population and Immigration Authority. The Jewish Agency currently reports a usual 3–6 month process; required documents and processing can vary by case. Compulsory military service may apply to new immigrants depending on age and circumstances.

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1. Oct 9, 2026
   • Official page https://www.gov.il/en/departments/population_and_immigration_authority https://www.gov.il/en/service/law_of_return_entitled_request_to_settle1
   • Application fee (USD) 0 none

   corrected the citizenship description and great-grandchild caveat, updated the legal citation and statutory revocation grounds, and changed the unsupported application fee from zero to unknown Source