Post Aliyah Guide for Ezrachim Olim
(Israeli Citizens Born Abroad)

Below is an outline that will guide you through your first steps in Israel as an Ezrach Oleh:

At Ben Gurion Airport:

1. Passport Control:  Your Israeli passport will be stamped by the passport control official upon arrival in Israel.

2. Ministry of Absorption – Misrad Haklita: Proceed to Misrad Haklita, where you will receive your Teudat Zakaut (Teudat Oleh for Israeli citizens).  In addition, you will receive your first payment of sal klita (if you are eligible).  You will receive information about sal klita payments as well as a voucher for a free taxi ride anywhere in the country.

Note: If you were issued a Teudat Zehut booklet prior to your aliyah, you will not receive a Teudat Zakaut at the airport, and instead will need to obtain it at your local branch of Misrad Haklita.

Misrad Haklita will provide you with a voucher to sign up for health insurance.  If your Israeli identity number was recently issued (immediately before your Aliyah), you should be able to visit the post office in order to sign up for health insurance.  However, if you were registered as an Israeli citizen many years ago, you will need to visit Bituach Leumi in order to sign up for health insurance (see #6).

Please make sure to set up an appointment with your local branch of Misrad Haklita after receiving your Teudat Zehut.  

3. Ministry of Interior – Misrad Hapnim: Visit your local branch of Misrad Hapnim to obtain your Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card).  If you are joining a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight, we will assist you in the processing of your Teudat Zehut during the flight and upon your arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

You will need:

• Israeli passport
• Two identical passport-size photos
• All documents relating to your personal status including marriage or divorce certificates with apostille certification

Note: If you obtained Israeli citizenship through your father (and your mother is not Israeli) you will be required to present a valid proof of Judaism (a letter from a rabbi abroad stating that you are Jewish and born to a Jewish mother, written on the synagogue letterhead) to Misrad Hapnim.

4. Bank: Open a shekel bank account with the bank of your choice.  Be sure to obtain documentation of your bank details for Misrad Haklita.

5. Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Immigrant Absorption): Call Misrad Haklita in your area to schedule a meeting with your Klita counselor. For those of you joining an NBN flight, there will be representatives from Misrad Haklita in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh at the airport following your arrival to schedule appointments for you.

You will need:

• Teudat Zehut booklet

• Teudat Zakaut received at the airport
• Bank account details

You will receive:

• Information about Ulpanim, housing assistance, Student Authority and other benefits
• A schedule of when your Sal Klita payments will be deposited into your bank account

• Proceed to "Bituach Leumi" (National Insurance Institute) in order to register with the Kupat Cholim (Health Fund) of your choice.

You will need:

• Israeli ID card (Teudat Zehut)
• Teudat Zakaut (received at Misrad Haklita)
• Transcript of entry and exit from Israel (can be issued at Misrad Hapnim)

6. 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

7. Letter of Clarification from the Israel Defense Forces:

You will need to clarify your military status with the IDF to obtain either a deferral or exemption from service.  To obtain such a letter, please visit the "Lishkat HaGiyus" at one of the following addresses:

• Tel Aviv - Machane Tel Hashomer, 03-530-6814; 03-737-6000
• Jerusalem -  Rashi 10, 02-500-7000
• Haifa - 12 Rechov Omar Kayam, 04-860-0700
• Beer Sheva - 22 Rechov Yad Vashem, 08-665-0060
• Tiberias - Rechov Natzeret, 04-671-7506

8. Customs – "Meches": Visit the local Customs office to open a file.

You will need:

• Israeli ID booklet – "Teudat Zehut"
• Teudat Zakaut provided to you by Misrad Haklita
• All original documents provided to your Shaliach
• Authorization of reporting to the IDF office or an official exemption or deferral from service
• All passports from the date that you were first issued an Israeli passport or were first registered as an Israeli citizen
• Transcript of entries and exits to Israel from the date that you were registered as an Israeli citizen (please note that Misrad Hapnim only keeps records of your entries and exits for the last 7 years, so this may be used as a supplement to the passports listed above)
• Proof of studying in Israel on a one-year educational program recognized by Misrad Haklita (if applicable)
• Spouse's passport and Teudat Zehut, if applicable

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

9. Israeli Driver's License: Make sure to convert your foreign driver's license to an Israeli one.  Please see step #7 of the Post-Aliyah Guide.

For further assistance, please contact the Absorption Department at 02-659-5700.

Good Luck and B'hatzlacha!