Length of Service for Olim is determined by their “Age of Arrival.”  Please note that a person’s Age of Arrival (their age on the date that they began a significant stay in Israel) is not necessarily their age on the date that they made Aliyah.

Age of Arrival is determined by the Oleh’s entries and exits to Israel, as well as the length of stay of each visit. To this end, one may report to the Israel Ministry of Interior and request a Berur Knisot V’Yitziot Meha’aretz – בירור כניסות ויציאות מהארץ (a report of one’s entries and exits into Israel).  The new guidelines apply only to Olim.

NOTE: The guidelines for determining Age of Arrival found below apply to Olim Chadashim & Bnei Mehagrim (Ezrachim Olim or Ktinim Chozrim).

For information on Ezrachim Olim and Ktinim Chozrim (Bnei Mehagrim), please click here.

  • If the Oleh has not spent significant time in Israel (up to 120 days in a calendar year), Age of Arrival is considered from their Aliyah date.  If you have questions about your status, email [email protected]
  • If the Oleh visited Israel for a one year period (either on a recognized or non-recognized program) and chose to stay in Israel, the army will consider Age of Arrival from the time they first entered the country.
  • If the Oleh participated in a program that was one year in length (recognized by The Jewish Agency for Israel as a Masa program) and then left the country for a period of at least 12 months, the army will consider Age of Arrival from the time of their return. During this period they can visit Israel 120 days per calendar year, as long as there is a clean break of 60 days out of the country from the end of the program until the first visit.
    Please note: This only holds for ONE recognized program. If you come back for a second recognized program that was one year in length and then left the country for a period of at least 12 months, the army will not consider this time frozen.
  • If the Oleh was in Israel for one year or more, NOT on a recognized program, and left the country for a period of at least 24 months, the army will consider Age of Arrival from the time of their return.  If the Oleh would like to visit Israel during that 24 month “away” period, they can visit for 120 days per calendar year (every year).  For further clarification, please be in touch with the Meitav representative in NY.  The Meitav representative can be contacted at: Consulate General of Israel – New York, [email protected] or 212-499-5314.

Currently, the army is reevaluating its policy regarding an individual’s ability to reset their age of arrival by staying out of Israel for 24 months. We will keep you posted with any updates.

Please note that the chart below applies only to Olim who entered the country at age 18 or older. Olim who arrived in Israel at 17 or younger will be required to serve 30 months, regardless of family status.

If your Age of Arrival is before May 31, 2015, please refer to this chart for determining your length of service.

If your Age of Arrival is June 1, 2015 or after, please refer to the chart below.

Determining Length of Service:

  • Age of Arrival (see above to determine age of arrival)
  • Family status (single, married or married with children) at the Time of enlistment.
Age of Arrival 18-19 20 21 22-27: Exempt
Can Request to Volunteer
28
Single Male 32 months 24 months 24 months Non- combat: 18 months
Combat: 24 months
Exempt/Not eligible for volunteer service
Married Male without Child 24 months 24 months 24 months Non- combat: 18 months
Combat: 24 months
Exempt/Not eligible for volunteer service
Married Male with Child Volunteer service: Minimum 24 months Volunteer service: Minimum 24 months Volunteer service: Minimum 24 months Non- combat: 18 months
Combat: 24 months
Exempt/Not eligible for volunteer service
Single Female (all Aliyah statuses) 24 months* 24 months* 24 months* Non- combat: 18 months
Combat: 32 months
Exempt/Not eligible for volunteer service

*Single females who serve in combat and other specific jobs will be required to serve a full service of 32 months.

Please note that some positions will require a commitment of a full army service, and occasionally longer.

Doctors and Dentists (male):

For information about army service, please see: Army Service for Physicians

Women:

*Religious women can get a Ptor (exemption).  Click here for the process.
Married women have an automatic exemption from service in the IDF.
There is NO requirement for women to do Sherut Leumi instead of military service.  Click here for more information about Sherut Leumi.

After making Aliyah, the government of Israel allots Olim one year of acclimation before they are drafted. A Tzav Rishon (first IDF notice) will be sent to your residence roughly 9 months after receiving a Teudat Zehut.

If you are interested in expediting your army process once you make Aliyah, please be in touch with our Lone Soldiers department [email protected].

Lishkot Hagiyus can be reached at 03-738-8888 or *3529 or [email protected]

A soldier who leaves a job because of the draft will receive compensation from his employer.
As of February, 2012, the Knesset approved two laws that relate to soldiers. According to the first, someone who leaves his or her job in order to be drafted into the army or do Sherut Leumi is entitled to receive special compensation from his or her place of work.
Similarly, the Knesset approved a law that establishes that a released soldier that works in Avoda Muadefet (“preferred work”) and is called to serve in Miluim will be entitled to a monetary grant, even if he or she did not complete six months of work.

The role of FIDF and Nefesh B’Nefesh is to assist new immigrants to Israel who are drafted to the IDF.  It is not the objective, or part of the scope of operational activities of either organization to help recruit soldiers for the Israel Defense Forces.