Post Aliyah Guide: Former A-1 Temporary Residents

If you had temporary resident status in the past and are now returning to Israel as an Oleh, here is an outline that will guide you through your first steps in Israel:  

At Ben Gurion Airport:

1. Passport Control: Your foreign passport will be stamped by the Passport Control officer.

2. Ministry of Absorption:  Proceed to the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption in order to receive your voucher for a free taxi ride.

Please note that your Teudat Oleh will be updated or issued at the local branch of Misrad Haklita. We highly recommend that you clarify your eligibility for Oleh benefits BEFORE YOUR ALIYAH through the Jewish Agency and your Aliyah Shaliach. In most of the cases an appeal to the “Vaadat Irurim” is required to define which rights you have remaining.  Make sure to bring all documentation with you.

3. The Ministry of Interior – Misrad Hapnim:  Proceed to your local branch of Misrad Hapnim in order to update your Teudat Zehut or to issue a new one. Your Teudat Zehut number will be the same one that you received as a temporary resident.  If you previously served as a soldier in Machal, you will receive a new Teudat Zehut number. Please make sure to ask for a “Tamzit Rishum” transcript from Misrad Hapnim.  At this time, you may also request a "Michtav Maavar," which will serve as your Israeli travel document for the first three months after your Aliyah.

      You will need:

• 2 passport pictures for any candidate over age 16
• Original birth certificates for all family members
• Original copy of your Marriage/Divorce/Spouse's death certificate – with apostille stamp
• Original Proof of Judaism letter
• Valid passports for all family members

4. Bank: Open a shekel bank account at the bank of your choice.

5. Ministry of Absorption: Call Misrad Haklita in your area to schedule a meeting with a Klita counselor.

      You will need:

• Teudat Zehut booklet
• Foreign passport
• All original documents provided to your Shaliach (all passports since you left Israel as a temporary resident and proof that you resided abroad since then)
• Transcript of entries and exits from Misrad Hapnim in case your are making Aliyah from Israel or your status was not approved from abroad by the Aliyah center of the Jewish Agency
• Old Teudat Oleh
• Bank account number
• 2 passport pictures

      You will receive:

• Information about Ulpanim, housing benefits, the Student Authority and other benefits that remain
• A new Teudat Oleh, if applicable

6. Proceed to "Bituach Leumi" (The National Insurance Institute) in your area in order to register with the Kupat Cholim (health fund) of your choice. Please note that according to Bituach Leumi you should not be subject to Section 58 of the Health Law and you should be enrolled with the Kupat Cholim.  A final decision regarding your eligibility will be made by Bituach Leumi. We recommend that you purchase private health insurance before your arrival and maintain this coverage until your eligibility is determined by Bituach Leumi.

At Bituach Leumi you will have to fill out 2 forms:

• Declaration of settlement in Israel – שאלון לקביעת תושבות
• Request for health insurance registration "Kupat Cholim"- קביעת תושבות ובקשה לרישום לקופ"ח (Form 666)

       What you need:

• Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card)
• Teudat Oleh – or a letter received from Misrad Haklita.
• Transcript of entry and exit from Israel (can be issued at Misrad Hapnim)

At Bituach Leumi you will have to fill out 3 forms:

• Declaration of Settlement in Israel – שאלון לקביעת תושבות
• Application for Opening a File at Bituach Leumi –דין וחשבון רב שנתי
• Request for health insurance registration "Kupat Cholim"- קביעת תושבות ובקשה לרישום לקופ"ח

7. Customs Authority – "Meches":  Visit the local branch of the Customs Authority office to open a file.

       What you need:

• Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card)
• Old or New Teudat Oleh
• Current passports  
• All original documents provided to your Shaliach (Old Teudat Oleh and all passports since you left Israel as a temporary resident)
• Transcript from Misrad Hapnim with entries and exits
• Your spouse's passport and Teudat Zehut

Remember that your final status and will be clarified only after opening a file with the Customs Authority. We recommend that you NOT ship a container from abroad before there is a final decision about your status.

If you have further questions or your experience is different from the steps listed above, please contact Noya Govrin at noya@nbn.org.il or Erica Edvi at erica@nbn.org.il.

Good Luck and Behatzlacha!