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Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Israel
An A/1 holder can live in Israel for up to five years.
A/5 residence is temporary and is normally granted for up to one year at a time, depending on the validity of your passport.
Work in Israel
A/1 holders can work in Israel during their stay.
A/5 holders can work where their permit and the rules allow it.
Use public healthcare
Healthcare is available when recognized as a resident, after 183 days in Israel and proof your main home and life are there.
Lawful days in the previous six months can count, but recognition starts no earlier than the visa date.
A wait of up to six months can apply after 18 consecutive months abroad with at least 12 months of unpaid health contributions, or if you lost resident status.
Access social support
Once recognized as a resident, you may qualify for National Insurance benefits, including unemployment payments.
Unemployment payments also depend on your age, work, contributions, why you stopped working and Employment Service conditions.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the Population and Immigration Authority office that serves the area where you live in Israel.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Israel Population and Immigration Authority office serves your city for an A/1 temporary residence visa under the Law of Return?”
Download the application form
Download and print the visa application form for an A/1 temporary residence visa.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Israel A/1 temporary residence visa application form for people eligible under the Law of Return?”
Fill in the form
Complete the visa application form.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Israel A/1 temporary residence visa application form for people eligible under the Law of Return?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your local office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your completed form and documents to your local Population and Immigration Authority office and hand them in yourself.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Israel A/1 temporary residence visa application under the Law of Return at a local Population and Immigration Authority office?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Population and Immigration Authority to decide your application. Answer any questions or requests for more documents from the office.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit an Israel A/1 temporary residence visa application under the Law of Return?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of eligibility *
Provide original proof that you qualify under the Law of Return, such as a birth certificate or confirmation from a Jewish community. Your partner's residence permit alone does not establish eligibility for this route.
* Only if you qualify for and apply for an A/1 visa.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Maintaining your status
For A/5 renewal, generally apply at least 90 days before expiry, with a valid passport and proof your circumstances and main life in Israel continue.
Report changes and declare that your information is true.
For a spouse-based status, keep a genuine, exclusive relationship and a shared life in Israel.
Status can end
A/1 ends after up to five years; it does not automatically become citizenship or A/5.
A/5 expires unless renewed, and renewal can be refused or status withdrawn if its conditions no longer hold or your main life is not in Israel.
Security and criminal checks can also affect whether the status continues.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Secret Tel Aviv
Facebook group for people interested in Israeli local life (Hebrew & English)
Join on Facebookr/Israel
English Reddit group for people interested in Israeli local life
Join on Redditr/israel_bm
Hebrew Reddit group for people interested in Israeli local life
Join on RedditConsultation
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