Nefesh BNefesh

Split Aliyah is term used for families where one spouse makes Aliyah, while the other spouse chooses to make Aliyah at a later date.  Children may be included in the Aliyah declaration of either parent, as approved by the Jewish Agency.

The implications are primarily related to the Oleh benefits - the non-Oleh spouse will not receive any benefits as long as they do not obtain Oleh status. Click here for a complete list of these benefits.

The main difference in benefits will be the "Sal Klita", which is a monthly stipend granted by the government during the first seven months after Aliyah.  The spouse making Aliyah will receive Sal Klita as a single plus an additional stipend for each child who is making Aliyah at the same time (NOT as a single parent).  They will also be entitled to all other benefits (based on their Aliyah status and provided they have not spent extended time in Israel prior to their Aliyah - please see the article "Benefits Affected by Previous Stays in Israel"), including an Oleh mortgage, a discount in purchase tax when buying a home, customs benefits, and a tax reduction when purchasing a car.

Generally, all benefits that are granted per family (customs, reduced taxes when purchasing a car, mortgage, and certain tax reductions) will be granted to the first spouse who makes Aliyah.  When and if the non-Oleh spouse decides to make Aliyah, the period of eligibility to use those family benefits will be determined by the Aliyah date of the spouse who made Aliyah first.  For example, you have up to three years to send a lift to Israel; if your spouse makes Aliyah two years after you, collectively you will only have one year left to use those benefits.  All individual benefits (health coverage, Sal Klita, income tax reduction, Hebrew Ulpan) will be granted to each spouse individually based on their respective date of Aliyah and their Aliyah status.
 
In the event that the non-Oleh spouse makes Aliyah a number of years later (six or more), you may be able to receive a new set of customs benefits for yourself - specifically for sending one or more shipments to Israel of your personal items.  Eligibility for such benefits will be determined by Misrad Haklita (the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption) and the Customs Authority after reviewing your application and based on the amount of time you have resided in Israel, even if you were a tourist.
 
Please note that in order to make Split Aliyah, you must have a special approval to do so from the Jewish Agency (Israel Aliyah Center).  This is included as part of the paperwork necessary for your Aliyah approval. Please contact your local Jewish Agency Aliyah Shaliach for more information.

A special note for medical professionals who need licensing:

Medical licensing can only begin after you receive a Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card).

Once you submit your documentation, the process takes 8 weeks. Some professionals choose to make a special trip to Israel, declare Split Aliyah and submit their forms to Misrad Habriut (the Ministry of Health). This way, when they return to Israel with their family they will have already received their license and can begin working or can begin their histaklut (observation period in a hospital) immediately.