An A-1 Temporary Resident Visa allows individuals who are eligible to make Aliyah under the Law of Return to live, work, and experience life in Israel before deciding whether to become Israeli citizens.

Please note: Nefesh B’Nefesh does not process A-1 visa applications. However, if you later decide to make Aliyah, we are happy to assist you with your Aliyah application.

What is an A-1 Visa?

An A-1 visa is available to individuals who are eligible for Aliyah but wish to postpone becoming Israeli citizens.

As an A-1 visa holder, you:

• May live and work legally in Israel.
• Receive an A-1 Teudat Zehut (Identity Card).
• Are not an Israeli citizen.
• Are not eligible to receive an Israeli passport or travel document.

The visa is generally issued for three years and may be extended for up to two additional years, for a maximum stay of five years. After that, you may choose to:

• Apply for Aliyah.
• Apply for an A-5 Temporary Resident Visa if eligible.

Benefits of an A-1 Visa

Depending on your circumstances, A-1 visa holders may be eligible for:

• Legal employment in Israel.
• Health insurance through Bituach Leumi after meeting the applicable residency requirements.
• Israeli income tax benefits on qualifying income.
• Purchase tax reductions after establishing residency and demonstrating your center of life is in Israel.

Before You Apply

Please keep the following in mind:

• Individuals with Israeli parents, including many Ezrachim Olim, are generally not eligible for an A-1 visa.
• A-1 visa holders cannot vote in Israeli elections.
• A-1 visa holders are generally not required to serve in the IDF while they remain on A-1 status.

Making Aliyah After Holding an A-1 Visa

Many A-1 visa holders later decide to make Aliyah.

When this happens:

• Time spent in Israel on an A-1 visa is generally deducted from the eligibility period for certain Oleh benefits.
• Eligibility for Sal Klita is determined separately under current Misrad HaKlita regulations.

Recent Misrad HaKlita Policy Updates

Recent policy changes affect former A-1 visa holders who decide to make Aliyah.

Former A-1 Visa Holders

Individuals who previously held A-1 status but never became Olim during that period may now be eligible for Aliyah benefits without requiring a special committee review.

Eligibility is generally determined using the same 12-year previous stay review that applies to other Olim.

Previous Stays in Israel

Misrad HaKlita now reviews the previous 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 remains separate and generally requires spending fewer than two years in Israel during the three years preceding Aliyah.

Academic Programs

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

This includes:

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

National Service and IDF service are governed under separate regulations.

How to Apply

Applying from Outside Israel

Contact your local Jewish Agency for Israel representative to begin the application process. For a list of Shlichim, please click here.

Applying from Within Israel

• Apply through your local Population and Immigration Authority (Misrad Hapnim) office. For a list of branches, click here.

Required Documents

Document requirements vary depending on your personal circumstances. All documents must be original, including:

• Birth certificate – make sure that your parents’ names appear.
• Valid passport – Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you are issued your A-1 visa.
• Proof of Judaism – click here for more information.
• Civil Marriage, divorce, or death certificates, if applicable – Even if you are/were married to an Israeli, you will need to provide the relevant certificates of marital status with apostille certification.
• Fingerprinting for FBI Background Check: All US citizens over the age of 14 require an FBI background check. US applicants can apply for an FBI background check through Nefesh B’Nefesh, including fingerprinting and apostille, by emailing us at [email protected]. This service is offered for a fee of 880 NIS for Olim to cover the cost. Sherut Leumi, Army, and Machal receive a discounted rate of 800 NIS. Non-Olim: 1,100 NIS (includes an apostille). Fingerprinting without an apostille: 500 NIS. By appointment only. Call 02-659-5800.
• All certificates must have an Apostille unless they were issued within Israel.

Additional documentation may be requested during the application process.

Need Help?

If you are considering an A-1 visa or are thinking about making Aliyah in the future, a Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Advisor can help you understand your options and determine the path that best fits your situation.

Please Note

Eligibility for an A-1 visa is determined by the Population and Immigration Authority and The Jewish Agency for Israel. Eligibility for Aliyah benefits is determined separately by 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 the most up-to-date requirements before applying.

* Last updated on July 20, 2026 *