If you were born outside Israel to at least one Israeli parent, you may qualify as an Ezrach Oleh (EO). Although you are already an Israeli citizen, you may still be eligible for certain Aliyah benefits.

Before moving to Israel, it is important to determine your Aliyah status. The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Misrad HaKlita) will review your eligibility and determine which benefits you may receive.

Citizenship and Aliyah Benefits

Citizenship and Aliyah benefits are determined separately.

• Citizenship: As an Israeli citizen, you do not make Aliyah under the Law of Return and do not require an Aliyah visa.
• Aliyah Benefits: Eligibility for benefits is determined by Misrad HaKlita according to its current regulations.

Who is an Ezrach Oleh?

An Ezrach Oleh is an Israeli citizen who was born outside Israel to at least one parent who was already an Israeli citizen at the time of the child’s birth, either by birth or through a previous Aliyah.

Quick Eligibility Checklist

You may qualify as an Ezrach Oleh if:

• You were born outside Israel.
• At least one of your parents was an Israeli citizen when you were born.
• You have not previously established Aliyah status.

Please note:

• A child born outside Israel to an Ezrach Oleh is generally eligible to make Aliyah as an Oleh Chadash.
• A child born in Israel to an Ezrach Oleh is considered an Israeli citizen.
• Israeli citizens are required to enter and leave Israel using a valid Israeli passport.

Aliyah Eligibility

If you have never held a Teudat Zehut, you are generally evaluated under the same benefit guidelines as an Oleh Chadash.

Previous time spent in Israel may affect your eligibility for certain benefits, and every application is reviewed individually under current Misrad HaKlita regulations.

Establishing Your Aliyah Status

Recent Misrad HaKlita procedures provide greater flexibility when establishing Aliyah status.

For many Ezrachim Olim, the effective date of Aliyah (Taarich Kabalat Ma’amad) is no longer automatically tied to the date a Teudat Zehut is issued. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to choose between two qualifying dates.

For example:

• IDF draftees: The date of enlistment or the date your status is processed by Misrad HaKlita.
• MASA participants: The date your Teudat Zehut is issued or the date your MASA program ends.

This flexibility may help maximize your eligibility period for government benefits.

Recent Misrad HaKlita Policy Updates

Previous Stays in Israel

Misrad HaKlita now reviews time spent in Israel during the 12 years preceding the establishment of Aliyah status.

General guidelines include:

• More than 5 years: May not be eligible for certain Aliyah benefits.
• Between 3 and 5 years: May receive limited eligibility.
• Less than 3 years: Generally eligible for full benefits, subject to current regulations.

Additional guidelines include:

• Visits of up to 122 days per calendar year generally do not count toward previous stay calculations.
• Eligibility for Sal Klita is determined separately and generally requires spending fewer than two years in Israel during the three years preceding Aliyah.
• For more details, please see Benefits Affected by Previous Visits to Israel.

Academic Programs

Approved academic studies and recognized programs generally do not count toward previous stay calculations for up to four cumulative years.

Examples include:

• University studies
• MASA
• Yeshiva or Midrasha
• Other approved educational programs

Please note that exceeding the four-year limit, even by one day, may cause the entire period to count toward previous stays.

National Service and IDF service are governed under separate regulations.

Military Service

Time spent serving in the IDF, Sherut Leumi, or qualifying Miluim may not count toward previous stay calculations under current Misrad HaKlita guidelines.

Potential Ezrach Oleh

Applicants who entered Israel with their parents, lived in Israel for fewer than four years without declaring Aliyah, left before the age of 16, and remained outside Israel for at least seven years may qualify as a Potential Ezrach Oleh, subject to Misrad HaKlita’s review.

Children Born in Israel

If a child is born in Israel to parents who are not Israeli citizens, the child generally receives the same status as the parents and is added to the parents’ Teudat Oleh when the family makes Aliyah.

Important Note

Citizenship status and benefits status are not always the same.

For example, an applicant may be considered an Ezrach Oleh for citizenship purposes but be evaluated as a Katin Chozer by Misrad HaKlita when determining eligibility for benefits.

Need Help Determining Your Status?

Every applicant’s circumstances are unique.

If you are unsure whether you qualify as an Ezrach Oleh, Katin Chozer, Oleh Chadash, or another Aliyah status, your Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Advisor can help determine your eligibility before your move.

Please Note

Aliyah status and eligibility for benefits are determined solely by The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Misrad HaKlita) based on current regulations and each applicant’s individual circumstances.

Because regulations may change, we recommend confirming your eligibility with your Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Advisor before making Aliyah.