Who can get an Israeli passport and how?

Who is eligible to receive Darkon in Israel

The Government of Israel, based on the Citizenship Law of 1952 and the Law of Return of 1950, processes passport requests. And from 2021, Israel is issuing new types of passports - Darkon. This document has an international format and gives the right to an Israeli citizen. Two categories of people can receive it: Jews and foreigners who have undergone conversion.

“Conversion is a form of conversion of a non-Jew to the religion of Judaism, through rituals and knowledge of the biblical teaching of the Torah. The Torah consists of 613 commandments that a new Jew must observe. Conversions also include children born from a mother who converted. Conversion based on its fictitiousness, deliberate acceptance, or pursuit of selfish goals is not recognized.”

Under the terms of the Law of Return to Israel and according to the resolution of the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs, the following can receive Darkon:

1. Jews are by blood on both the paternal and maternal sides, although recognition of Jewish nationality occurs on the maternal side. This phenomenon is based on the unique history, culture, and religion of the Israeli people.
2. Repatriates include third generation Jews. If the relationship with a grandmother or grandfather is confirmed, then the grandchildren are allowed to receive the Darkon of Israel.
3. A married couple with Jewish roots, on at least one side, also has the right to move to Israel. Accordingly, their children can subsequently receive a Darkon passport.
4. A child adopted by an Israeli couple automatically becomes a citizen.
5. Receiving the Darkon of Israel is possible by virtue of birth. If, for example, a child was born not in Israel, but from Jewish parents, then upon reaching adulthood he can move to the homeland of his ancestors.
6. A passport can be obtained not only by an Israeli, but also by other persons who have lived in Israel for 5 years. According to the rules of naturalization, you must actually live in Israel without leaving for the last 3 years.

Israeli repatriates are allowed not to renounce their previous citizenship. You can leave your Russian passport and at the same time receive a second Darkon passport. True, not everyone has privileges. For those undergoing the naturalization process in Israel, different conditions apply. They must give up their current passport without fail.

How to issue a darkon for citizens living outside of Israel

A full-fledged foreign biometric passport is produced by the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs. You can get a darkon in Moscow or Kyiv at the consulate, provided that the Israeli citizen has a teudat maavara (lesse passe). The temporary travel document is replaced with a foreign passport valid for 1 year. To obtain a Darkon at the consulate, there is no need to submit biometric data. To return to Israel in case of loss of a document during a trip abroad, you can obtain a darkon at the embassy.

What advantages does Darkon provide in Israel?

Before changing their passport, many residents without residence in Israel make a personal assessment of Israeli citizenship. But the majority of Jews who returned to their historical homeland emphasize the main advantages of obtaining a Darkon passport. They believe that:

• it confirms the identity of a citizen outside of Israel;
• with it you can visit 159 countries without a visa, which includes the whole of Europe;
• Dual citizenship is allowed;
• returning repatriates can receive social benefits and benefits in Israel;
• you can open a business in some industries without paying income tax;
• live permanently and be content with the warm climate of Israel;
• participate in the development of the economy and culture of a unique country;
• you can get a free education at one of the best universities;
• You can undergo check-up and quality treatment in clinics where the latest equipment is used and professional doctors work.

How and where to quickly get a repatriate visa and a Darkon passport without living in Israel

It so happened that the nation did not have its own homeland for many years; the Jewish people lived all over the world. Their lives took place in different parts of the planet. But, after Israel became an independent state on May 14, 1948, the main goal of the Government became the need to return its citizens to Israeli soil. For this purpose, the Law on Obtaining Citizenship of 1952, the Law of Return of 1950 were adopted, and reception centers for repatriates were formed in many countries.

In Russia there are also Embassies and Consulates of Israel, Jewish representative offices of Sokhnut: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Samara, Pyatigorsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk. Any resident with Jewish roots can contact one of them for advice and obtain a new immigrant visa. Thanks to her, upon arrival in Israel, you will be able to obtain a Darkon biometric passport much faster.

Preparing for repatriation

The procedure for obtaining a visa in Russia is as follows:

1. First, the citizen fills out an application form “Request for a repatriate visa” to live in Israel.
   There is a separate form for the head of household, spouse and children. Thanks to the instructions published on the website in the Migration Department section, applicants will not make mistakes. Completed forms must be printed: Questionnaire “Request for a repatriate visa” – head of the family or single person (4.86 Mb) Questionnaire “Request for a repatriate visa” – spouse of the head of the family (4.48 Mb) Questionnaire “Request for a repatriate visa” – children submitting a request as part of a family (3.01 Mb) Instructions for filling out forms (462.64 Kb)
2. You will need to collect documents according to the list for all family members; some of them will need an apostille.
3. Next, you should make an appointment according to the work schedule at the Israeli Embassy or Consulate. The Migration Department is open from Monday to Thursday from 09-00 to 17-00, and on Friday there is a short reception day from 09-00 to 14-00.
4. You can make an appointment by calling one of the phone numbers of an Israeli diplomatic institution or via WhatsApp or sending an email. Choose one of these methods.
5. Upon arrival at your appointment, you should immediately say that you have a completed application form and all the necessary documents with you. All family members must be present.
6. The interview is conducted by the Consul, who checks the suitability of you and all family members to receive the status of repatriate to Israel. Accordingly, the likelihood of receiving Darkon’s passport will be determined.
7. If the decision is successful, each family member will be issued a repatriate visa. After this, you can pack your things and fly to Israel. The international airport accepts foreign citizens. Ben Gurion, located in Tel Aviv.

For a safe relocation, the Israeli government provides financial support to returning Jews to their historical homeland. Air tickets are purchased for them, housing is provided upon arrival, social payments are made, and the issue of employment is subsequently resolved. The authorized body for the consideration of financial issues is the Israeli Ministry of Absorption.

Required documents for repatriation visa

Since obtaining a Darkon passport begins with a visa issue, then you will have to collect quite a few documents. But in Israel you don’t need to bother collecting certificates.

From the applicant for a visa, the following is required in the original:

• foreign passport and other passports;
• color photo 3*4 cm for all family members;
• certificate of no criminal record with an apostille for the age group from 14-75 years;
• birth certificates;
• information about marital status;
• document on change of surname;
• birth certificates of parents and grandparents;
• death certificate of a Jewish relative;
• details of the host party in Israel;
• educational certificates;
• labor information;
• additional information on request.

Who can be considered repatriates?

Repatriates are people returning to their homeland. Since Israel is the historical homeland of the Jews, this country accepts persons of Jewish origin.

According to the Law of Return, repatriates are people born to Jewish mothers. Also, persons who have converted to Judaism can count on obtaining Israeli citizenship. If one family member is recognized as a repatriate, then his close relatives (husband, wife, children, grandchildren) can also apply for Israeli passports.

Israel denies citizenship to its repatriates in several cases:

• if they have a criminal record;
• if they were born Jews and then converted to another religion.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining an Israeli biometric passport in 2021

Previously, Jews returning to Israel were issued a temporary passport, Teudat Maavar. It was red and to receive it, you had to live in the country for one year. But in July 2021, there were changes in migration issues, Teudat Maavar was replaced by a new type of Darkon passport. It looks completely different, is blue in color and contains more comprehensive biometric data.

What steps should I take to get it in Israel? Step-by-step instructions have been developed for new Israeli citizens. You just need to follow it:

1. Upon arrival in Israel, each family member must have a visa pasted into their passport. The Ministry of Absorption has already been notified of your arrival, so they will meet you at Ben Gurion Airport.
2. There are situations when a representative of the Ministry of Israel is absent for some reason, then you should go to the passport control hall. There is their phone number on the wall on the left side. They need to call and find out the reason for their absence.
3. Representatives in Israel are needed in any case, as they help you pass passport control and obtain the necessary primary documents.
4. One Teudat Ole repatriate document is issued per family, with the right to guarantees and benefits. Teudat Zehut is also provided for each family member for a period of 90 calendar days. Right there in the office, newly minted residents must receive: the first social payment, a certificate for opening a current account, and a hospital registration voucher. Visitors are then transported by free taxi to their first accommodation.

There is no need to waste any further time, but urgently need to change the temporary document to a biometric passport. It can be: an identity card, Darkon or a travel document. But for repatriates it is important to receive Darkon, which is the most multifunctional in Israel today. To do this, contact the Office of Population Registration and Immigration or the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Documentation

To obtain an Israeli biometric passport, you need to make an appointment, submit an application, answer personal questions that will confirm your identity. At the Office you will be photographed and fingerprinted. The same process applies to children. All data is stored in the Israeli government database, but if you wish, you can refuse to store it. Just keep in mind that the validity of your passport will be significantly reduced. Also remember to bring your valid Teudat Zehut ID with you.

Deadlines for receipt and validity

The completed passport will be delivered to the post office at your place of residence in Israel. Delivery time up to 3 weeks. A text message notification is sent in advance. There are situations when there is no time to wait that long, then when submitting an application, warn the employee about this.

The validity period of an Israeli Darkon passport is 10 years, for children 5 years. If you refuse to save biometric information in the system, the validity of the passport will be 5 years, even for adults.

Price

You can apply for a Darkon biometric passport in Israel online. Submit an application on the official portal of the Population Registration and Immigration Department. The cost of registration online is less than when requesting in the office.

To receive Darkon in 2021 you will have to pay:

• from November to February - 155 shekels for adults, 95 shekels for children;
• from March to October – 250 shekels for adults, 125 for children;
• in the office - 270 shekels for adults, 140 shekels for minors.

How much does it cost to get darkon

Cost of passport for applicants over 18 years of age. Prices are indicated in shekels.

Cost for applicants under 18 years of age. Prices are indicated in shekels.

Cost of a business passport for applicants over 18 years of age (64 pages). Prices are indicated in shekels.

Cost of a business passport for applicants aged 18 years (64 pages). Prices are indicated in shekels.

Prices taken from the official website of the state: https://www.gov.il/he/service/application_for_biometric_passport2

Note! Payments that are paid to the government are usually not added to the VAT liability, so the government is not required to generate a tax invoice (there is no VAT component).

Assistance in obtaining Israeli citizenship

During your consultation, we will determine your chances of obtaining an Israeli passport. Our help doesn't end there. The center’s specialists will help you collect the necessary package of documents and contact the Embassy. We make sure that the repatriation process is smooth and painless.

Apply for citizenship

FAQ

How to get an Israeli passport in Moscow?

To obtain an Israeli passport, you can independently collect the full package of necessary documents and submit an application to the consulate, or you can contact the Herzl company. We will assess your chances of obtaining citizenship as accurately as possible, and will also help you prepare documents and go through the repatriation procedure in Israel.

What does an Israeli passport look like?

The Israeli passport looks like a dark blue book, on the cover of which “State of Israel” is written in gold embossing in Hebrew and English, an image of the coat of arms of Israel is printed, the word “Passport” is written in Hebrew and English, and there is also a biometric passport symbol.

Jewish passport - what is it called?

The internal passport of an Israeli citizen is called “teudat zehut”, this is an analogue of the Russian internal passport. The Israeli foreign passport is called Darkon.

Darkon Extension

Upon expiration of the period of use, you should renew your Darkon passport for the next period. To do this, you need to visit the office of the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs, write an application for renewal, take a photo, and take biometrics. The old Darkon document is confiscated by the authorities. The cost of Darkon remains the same as when receiving the first sample.

But if a replacement is made due to theft, damage, or loss, the price will be higher. For people over 18 years old, the price ranges from 435-550 shekels, for those younger from 235-280 shekels.

In addition, Israel provides for obtaining and renewing a business passport at a cost of 305-450 shekels for adults, and 305-450 for minors. The procedure will be cheaper if done through an online system.

How to get a biometric darkon for repatriates

Repatriates arriving in Israel receive a foreign passport on a general basis. Israeli citizens over 18 years of age have the right to issue a Darkon. In July 2021, the Knesset passed a law giving repatriates equal rights with all Israeli citizens and making it easier to obtain a foreign passport. Previously, darkon for new citizens was issued 1 year after arrival in Israel, compliance with the deadlines was strictly monitored. You can apply for darkon under the new law immediately after receiving an Israeli identity card. The changes also apply to immigrants who acquired Israeli citizenship before the new law was adopted. Give yourself and your children the opportunity to choose a better future!

The lawyers of our company will help you draw up and submit documents for obtaining a biometric darkon passport, buy a plane ticket - that’s all you need to travel outside of Israel.

Israeli Consulates in Russia

Citizens of the Russian Federation with Jewish roots, and those who are planning to move to Israel for other reasons, should contact the diplomatic department from Russia. You can also view repatriation programs on the official website of the Government of Israel www.gov.il. Current addresses of the Israeli Embassy or Consulate in Russia:

• Moscow, Bolshaya Ordynka, 56;
• telephone;
• work schedule: from 09-00 to 17-00 h.

• St. Petersburg, st. Khersonskaya, 12-14;
• telephone;
• work schedule: from 09-00 to 17-00 h.

Representatives of Sokhnut will advise you on all issues related to obtaining repatriate status and a Darkon passport. Use the following data by city:

• Samara region, st. Michurina, 52 of.326;
• contacts;
• e-mail;

• Rostov region, st. Socialist, 141;
• contacts;
• e-mail

• Ekaterinburg region, st. Kuibysheva, 38A;
• contacts;
• e-mail