Former A-1 visa holder? Learn how recent Ministry of Aliyah and Integration updates may affect your eligibility, benefits, previous stays in Israel, Sal Klita, and Aliyah status. This guide explains what you need to know before applying.

Overview

If you previously lived in Israel on an A-1 Temporary Resident Visa and are now considering making Aliyah, recent updates to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration procedures may affect your eligibility and benefits. CLICK HERE for more information on the Temporary Resident (A-1) Visa.

The good news is that many former A-1 visa holders remain eligible to make Aliyah and receive Oleh benefits. In some cases, individuals who held A-1 status years ago may still qualify for benefits as new Olim, even if they received certain benefits during their previous stay in Israel.

Because eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, previous time spent in Israel, and current status, we encourage you to contact Nefesh B’Nefesh to review your specific situation.

Key Takeaways

• Former A-1 visa holders may still qualify for Aliyah benefits.
• The Ministry now reviews previous stays in Israel over a 12-year period.
• Time spent in approved programs, studies, military service, and certain visits may not count toward eligibility calculations.
• Healthcare registration follows a separate process and is generally not provided free of charge for former A-1 visa holders.
• Individual circumstances matter, so professional guidance is strongly recommended.

History

In the past, A-1 holders were treated almost like Olim. They received full Aliyah benefits and a Teudat Oleh (Oleh booklet) from Misrad Haklita. The policy changed in the early 1990s, and, currently, an A-1 visa holder is not eligible for Aliyah benefits. This is where things get complicated.

When a former A-1 visa holder is in the process of making Aliyah, both Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of the Interior) and Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) run an internal check. They must determine the person’s civilian status and eligibility for benefits, depending on the time spent in Israel while on a valid visa and what benefits may have been used.

Special Update for Former A-1 Visa Holders

Under the updated Ministry of Aliyah and Integration procedures, former A-1 visa holders who never changed their status to Oleh during their original stay in Israel may still be eligible for Oleh benefits. This update is particularly relevant for individuals who held A-1 status during the 1970s, 1980s, or other earlier periods and never formally completed the Aliyah process.

In these cases:

• The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration will review the applicant’s previous stays in Israel during the 12 years prior to Aliyah.
• Eligibility is generally assessed under the same framework as other Olim.
• No special committee approval is typically required.
• Processing is generally completed through the standard Aliyah framework.

How Previous Time in Israel May Affect Eligibility

One of the most significant changes in the updated procedure is how previous stays in Israel are evaluated. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration now reviews the time spent in Israel during the 12 years before obtaining status.

General Eligibility Guidelines

Previous Time Spent in Israel (within the last 12 years)	Eligibility Status
Less than 3 years	Full eligibility
Between 3 and 5 years	Limited eligibility
More than 5 years	May not be eligible for an Oleh Certificate (Teudat Oleh) or related benefits

Please note: Eligibility is determined by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration based on the full circumstances of each case. The table above is intended as a general guideline only. Certain periods spent in Israel may not be counted toward these totals.

Time Periods That May Not Count Against Eligibility

The following periods may be excluded when calculating previous stays in Israel:

Approved Academic Studies and Programs

Eligible Olim and certain eligible categories may spend up to four years in approved academic studies or recognized programs in Israel without affecting eligibility calculations.

Important: Exceeding four years, even by a single day, may result in the entire period being counted toward previous stays.

Military Service and National Service

Service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or approved National Service programs is exempt from previous-stay calculations.

Short Visits

Up to 122 days per calendar year may be considered permissible visits and generally will not count toward previous stays in Israel.

Reserve Duty (Miluim)

For individuals living abroad who return to Israel for reserve duty:

• The period of reserve duty itself is excluded.
• An additional 14 days before service and 14 days after service are also excluded from eligibility calculations.

Sal Klita Eligibility

Although the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration now reviews a 12-year history for general eligibility, eligibility for Sal Klita remains unchanged.

To qualify for Sal Klita, applicants generally must not have spent more than two years in Israel during the three years prior to receiving status.

Because Sal Klita eligibility is governed by a separate procedure, applicants should verify their individual circumstances with Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Healthcare Coverage

Unlike many first-time Olim, former A-1 visa holders are generally not eligible for the complimentary healthcare benefit provided during an Oleh’s initial period of Aliyah. Healthcare eligibility is determined separately from Aliyah status and may vary depending on your individual circumstances, including previous residency in Israel and the length of time spent abroad.

Former A-1 visa holders who make Aliyah may be eligible to join one of Israel’s four public health funds (Kupot Cholim) and receive healthcare coverage under Israel’s National Health Insurance system.

In some cases, returning individuals may be required to complete a waiting period or explore options for expedited eligibility through the relevant authorities.

As soon as possible after making Aliyah, a previous A1 visa holder has the option to complete Form 625 from the Bituach Leumi website prior to their appointment at Misrad Hapnim & Misrad Haklitah for healthcare registration.

Once the information has been sent to Bituach Leumi (it takes around a week), Form 628 must be completed in order to reestablish residency in Israel. This makes them eligible for health insurance (reminder: health insurance is NOT free for former A-1 visa holders). It can take a few weeks for the file to be reviewed and residency to be reinstated.

Additionally, a former A-1 temporary resident must visit the Ministry of the Interior (Misrad Hapnim) to reactivate their Mispar Zehut and receive an Israeli ID card (Teudat Zehut). Misrad Hapnim will update the person’s Aliyah date from the one recorded as an A-1 to the new one, as an Oleh, and alert Bituach Leumi (Israeli National Insurance) as to their change of status. It is important to note that Misrad Hapnim only transfers this information twice a week.

After receiving the Teudat Zehut from Misrad Hapnim, one should contact their local office of Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) to complete the Aliyah process and begin receiving their Aliyah benefits.

It must be noted that processing at Misrad Haklita IS NOT a condition to being registered with Bituach Leumi for health insurance – that can happen immediately after receiving your Teudat Zehut.

Appointments with Misrad Hapnim, to apply for a Teudat Zehut, can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months away, depending on the location and time of year. Only after this document has been received can one make their appointment with the Misrad Haklita, which can be an additional wait.

To ensure our Olim have health insurance from day one, Nefesh B’Nefesh recommends purchasing private health insurance for the time needed to complete your processing.

For Olim under the age of 65, private health insurance can be procured from companies within Israel. It is critical to note that, unlike the coverage provided by the government, these companies can choose not to cover pre-existing conditions. Those over 65 should inquire with a private insurance agent regarding their options for coverage.

Another option is to make Aliyah with travel insurance or international coverage purchased in your country of origin.

Because healthcare eligibility can vary based on your personal history in Israel, we strongly recommend consulting with a Nefesh B’Nefesh advisor to understand your specific rights and obligations before making Aliyah.

For more information, visit our Healthcare in Israel resources page.

Customs & Shipping Benefits

If you previously used customs or shipping benefits while holding A-1 status, those benefits may be deducted from or affect your Aliyah customs eligibility.

Because customs eligibility varies based on prior use and individual circumstances, DO NOT ship household goods before clarifying your status and confirming you are eligible for the Aliyah shipping benefit.

Split Aliyah as a former A1 temporary resident

If the first spouse to make Aliyah is a former A1 Temporary Resident, the process of evaluating residency by Bituach Leumi may take longer and require additional proof of intention to physically settle in Israel and maintain residency. Families considering a split Aliyah should consult with a Nefesh B’Nefesh advisor before finalizing their plans.

Changes Affecting Adult Children Making Aliyah

Ben Oleh Status

A major change in the new procedure affects adult children making Aliyah with their parents.

An individual who is:

• 18 years old or older, and
• Makes Aliyah together with their parents or within one year of their parents’ Aliyah,

Will generally receive:

• Their own Teudat Oleh
• Their own eligibility period
• Their own set of benefits

This represents a change from the previous age threshold of 21.

Children Turning 18 While Remaining in Israel

If a family makes Aliyah with a child under 18 and subsequently leaves Israel, a child who remains in Israel may become eligible for a separate Teudat Oleh upon turning 18, subject to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration criteria and remaining eligibility periods.

In certain cases, Sal Klita eligibility may still be available if the individual remains within the applicable timeframe.

Children of Former Olim Returning to Israel

Several updated provisions affect children of former Olim returning to Israel.

Depending on factors such as:

• Age upon leaving Israel
• Length of time spent abroad
• Military service
• Parents’ status

An applicant may be classified under categories such as:

• Child of Olim (KC)
• Child of Olim from Date of Enlistment (KCMG)
• Eligibility Through Parents (Gorer Zakaut)

Because these classifications can significantly impact benefits and eligibility, applicants should consult with Nefesh B’Nefesh to determine their specific status.

Important Notes Regarding Children Born in Israel

Children born in Israel to non-Israeli parents will generally receive the same status as their parents. When the family makes Aliyah, the child will typically be added to the parents’ Teudat Oleh and processed accordingly.

Additional Updates

The updated Ministry of Aliyah and Integration procedures also include:

• Expanded provisions affecting eligible descendants and children of Olim.
• Additional flexibility regarding the official date of status recognition in certain situations, including military service and approved programs.
• Updated provisions affecting individuals returning after extended periods abroad.
• New rules regarding the continuation of eligibility through parents.
• Expanded options in certain cases for individuals transitioning to Returning Resident status.

Because many of these provisions are highly dependent on personal circumstances, individual review is strongly recommended. The updates summarized above highlight some of the most common scenarios but do not represent every provision contained in the Ministry’s procedures.

How to Apply

If you previously held A-1 status and are considering Aliyah, the first step is to open an Aliyah application through Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Our advisors can help determine:

• Your eligibility status
• Whether previous stays in Israel affect your benefits
• Which documents are required
• What benefits may be available to you
• Whether any special circumstances apply to your case

Need Assistance?

Every former A-1 visa holder’s situation is unique. Nefesh B’Nefesh can help you understand your eligibility, navigate the updated procedures, and prepare for a smooth Aliyah process. Contact us if you have questions about your eligibility or how the updated procedures may affect you. We look forward to welcoming you home!

* Last updated: June 21, 2026 *