1. What is Aliyah?
Aliyah (Hebrew: "ascent") is the immigration of Jewish people and qualifying family members to Israel. It is not merely a policy — it is a legal right enshrined in the Law of Return 1950 (Hok HaShvut). Israel was founded, in part, as a homeland where any Jew in the world has the right to settle and become a citizen.
Upon making Aliyah, you receive Israeli citizenship immediately — not after a waiting period. This is unique among immigration systems worldwide. You are issued a teudat zehut (Israeli ID card), a teudat oleh (immigrant certificate), and can immediately access Israel's social services, healthcare, and the range of absorption benefits.
2. Who is Eligible to Make Aliyah?
Under the Law of Return 1950 as amended in 1970, the following persons have the right to make Aliyah:
- Any Jewish person (born to a Jewish mother, or converted to Judaism by a recognised stream)
- The child of a Jewish person (even if not themselves Jewish)
- The grandchild of a Jewish person (even if not themselves Jewish)
- The spouse of any of the above
The right is withheld from persons who: have converted to another religion, have a criminal record likely to endanger public safety, or are acting against the Jewish people.
3. The Application Process
- Contact the Jewish Agency: The process begins at your local Jewish Agency office or Israeli embassy/consulate
- Initial interview: Discuss your background, Jewish heritage, and plans
- Document submission: Provide proof of Jewish heritage and identity (see below)
- Background check: The Ministry of Interior and Jewish Agency conduct checks
- Visa issuance: If approved, you receive an Aliyah visa (A/5)
- Arrival in Israel: Upon landing, you are welcomed as an oleh (new immigrant) and receive your teudat oleh and teudat zehut
- Registration: Register with the local municipality, health fund, etc.
4. Required Documents
- Passport (valid for at least 1 year)
- Birth certificate
- Proof of Jewish heritage: parent or grandparent's birth or marriage certificate, synagogue membership, Jewish community records
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificate from your current country and any country you have lived in for more than 5 years
- Medical clearance (for some health-related conditions)
All documents must be apostilled and translated into Hebrew or English.
5. Oleh Benefits (Sal Klita)
New immigrants receive an absorption basket (sal klita) of financial and practical support:
- One-time grant (sal klita) — varies by family size and country of origin
- Monthly stipend for the first year
- Free Hebrew language courses (ulpan)
- One-time import tax exemption for personal effects and vehicle
- Access to social services and national health insurance from day one
- Housing assistance loan (mashkanta)
- Priority access to national employment services
6. Tax Exemptions for New Immigrants
New olim receive substantial tax benefits under Israeli law:
- 10-year income tax exemption: All income from foreign sources (including pension, rental, dividends, business income) is exempt from Israeli income tax for the first 10 years after Aliyah
- Reduced reporting requirements: Foreign assets and income do not need to be reported to the Israeli Tax Authority during the 10-year period
- Reduced tax rates on Israeli-source income in the first few years
- Vehicle import duty exemption (once per Aliyah)
These benefits apply only to the qualifying 10-year period from the date of Aliyah. Tax planning before making Aliyah — particularly regarding foreign assets, trusts, and business structures — is critical.
7. What Happens Legally Upon Arrival
Upon arrival, several legal steps should be addressed promptly:
- Register with the Population Registry (Misrad HaPnim) and obtain your teudat zehut
- Open an Israeli bank account
- Register with a Kupat Holim (health fund)
- If you have children: register them for school through the local municipality
- Consult an Israeli attorney about any pre-Aliyah asset planning, will updates, and tax obligations in your home country