Israel Citizenship for Indians

Before we look into the Israeli citizenship process and requirements, understanding the differences and similarities between a PR status in Israel and Israeli citizenship is very important.

With a PR status, Indians can live and work in Israel without any work permit or work visa. Additionally, individuals with a PR can leave and enter the country for more than 180 days without any need for a new visa each time.

With Israeli citizenship, along with working and living rights in the country, you also get all the rights and privileges given to any other Israeli citizen, with the additional comfort of visa-free travelling to 180 different countries worldwide.

To get citizenship in Israel for Indians, maintaining permanent resident status for 3 to 5 years is mandatory.

• The standard eligibility criteria for obtaining Israel citizenship for Indians are as follows.

• The applicant must be 18 years old or above.

• The applicant must hold a PR status in the country for at least 3 years out of 5 years of validity before submitting a citizenship application.

• During your residency period, you should not have stayed outside the country for more than 270 days.

• The applicant must have basic Hebrew language proficiency of B2 level.

• The applicant must be financially stable to live in the country with ample resources to carry out day-to-day activities.

• The applicant must have original identity documents from their permanent place of birth.

• Marriage certificate or other documents to submit as proof of relationship with an Israeli citizen.

Similar to most countries, Israel also offers citizenship opportunities to other country citizens in multiple ways to increase their chances of obtaining Israeli citizenship.

The different ways include naturalisation, marriage, birth, or descent. However, at present, Israel citizenship by investment is not an option.

Israel Citizenship by Marriage - One of the most straightforward ways of obtaining Israeli citizenship is by marriage. Here are the following conditions to apply via this method.

You should be married to an Israeli citizen.

As a spouse married to an Israeli citizen, you should have resided in Israel for at least 5 years as a married couple, with valid proof for verification.

You should provide valid proof for passing Ulpan A2 level, ensuring your language proficiency in Hebrew.

You showcase your integration into the cultural and societal norms of the Israeli community.

Israel Citizenship by Naturalisation - For Indians, the most effective way to obtain Israeli citizenship from India is by the naturalisation process.

This is also called the appointment approach, wherein you will be required to apply for the same. However, the following criteria need to be fulfilled.

You should have lived under permanent residency in Israel for at least 3 years out of the 5 years of a PR status.

You should be at least 18 years of age.

Out of the 3 years of residency, you have not lived outside the country for more than 270 days.

Proof of no criminal activity.

Proof of financial stability for daily lifestyle.

Israel Citizenship by Birth - A direct way to obtain Israeli citizenship is by birth. If you are born in the country or under the following circumstances, the process of obtaining citizenship becomes more accessible in this way.

If you are born in any of the territories under Israel.

If one or both of your parents are Israeli citizens.

If you are born to one or both parents holding Israeli citizenship.

If your parents were legal residents of Israel during your birth. Here, you need to live in Israel for 3 years or till you reach adulthood to apply.

If you are adopted by Israeli parents.

Israel Citizenship by Law of Return - A unique way of obtaining citizenship in Israel is by Law of Return. This option is only available for Jews and other individuals related to the Jewish community, introduced by the Israeli Government in 1950.

You are born to a Jewish mother. (proof required)

One or both of your grandparents are Jewish. (proof required)

If you have converted to Judaism. (proof required)

You are not a threat to the Israeli community.

The application process for obtaining Israeli citizenship for Indians can only be completed offline in person by visiting the Population and Immigration Authority Offices in Israel. However, you can download the required forms only using the Ministry of Interior website.

You also need to be a permanent resident of Israel for at least 3 years to apply using the method mentioned below.

Applying for Israeli Citizenship

• Check your eligibility to apply for Israeli citizenship.

• Collect all the necessary documents like identity and age proof, address proof, financial documents, etc.

• To download all the necessary forms, go to the official website of the Ministry of Interior.

• From the main page, click on the “Services” menu from the top bar and then select “Citizenship, Certificates, and Passports” from the dropdown and lastly click on “Israeli Citizenship”.

• Next, from the list of options, select “Naturalisation of those who hold a permanent resident”.

• A new window will open. Here, you need to scroll to the bottom and click on the “Download all Files” option.

• Once you have the form files, download all of them and fill them out with the correct information.

• Once done, book an appointment at the local Population and Immigration Authority office.

• Take all the documents and your forms to the appointment, and pay the required fees of ILS 195 (approx ₹4,297) using a credit card.

• Upon evaluation and verification, the final decision will be shared with you and you will be requested to take an oath as an Israeli citizen.

Surrendering Indian Citizenship

• Along with the information regarding the Israel citizenship process for Indians, you also need to be aware that India does not permit dual citizenship.

• Thus, to obtain Israeli citizenship, you need to surrender your Indian citizenship right after and also show proof during your appointment, as mentioned above, to avoid serious consequences.

• Here is how you can do it.

• Visit the official website of the Foreigners Division Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India.

• On the main screen, find the option labelled “Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship under Section 8 of the Act Made by a Citizen of India” and click on it.

• A new pop-up will appear on the screen. Click “OK” after thoroughly reading it.

• Then, click on “Initiate Application” and then fill out the application form accurately. Ensure you fill the application in BOLD/ CAPITAL letters.

• The information requested on the form includes personal and family details, reasons for surrendering, children details, if any, passport details, applicant photograph and signature.

• Additionally, a list of other documents might be requested for uploading.

• Once done, click on “Submit” to complete the application.

• You need also to make the required payment for the application.

• Next, take a printout of the application form and documents to visit the Population and Immigration Authority branch for an interview.

• During the interview, you need to sign a declaration form in the presence of the officer.

• Post this; an MHA File Number will be shared with you via email for tracking.

• After the submission and interview are completed, you also need to take the application form and original documents to physically submit them to the Embassy of India, Israel, for further processing and decision.

Useful Links:

Renunciation of Indian Citizenship

Israeli Citizenship by Naturalisation - Ministry of Interior

Embassy of India, Israel

Population and Immigration Authority Branch Locations

• A valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity.

• 2-3 recent clear photographs on a white background.

• Duly filled and signed visa application form.

• Proof of financial stability (bank statements, salary slips, etc.).

• Based on the visa category, supporting documents like an admission letter for a student visa, employment letter for a work visa, marriage certificate, etc.

• Travel tickets to and from Israel.

• Proof of accommodation when in Israel.

• Translated documents in case the originals are in Hindi or any other language except English or Hebrew.

• Clear photocopies of all original documents.

• Language test certificate.

Visa-Free Travel - One of the most significant benefits of holding Israeli nationality is visa-free travel to 131 different countries, as the Israeli passport is very powerful and ranks at 54. The list of countries includes the Bahamas, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Philippines, Croatia, etc.

Diverse Community - The Israeli community is very diverse and welcoming, allowing you to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Moreover, you will be able to obtain a strong sense of community and togetherness when residing in the country as a citizen.

High-Quality Education - Israel, as a country, focuses a lot on the literacy rate and thus offers high-quality education opportunities for all age groups to increase learning channels.

Children under the age of 17 can enjoy free education in public schools. However, beyond that, no free higher education is available so the Government covers 30-50% of that cost for encouraging constant learning.

Free Basic Medical Care - All Israeli citizens have the right to seek essential medical assistance free of cost. However, for treatments and other medical attention, health insurance or out-of-pocket expenses are required.

Growing Economy - Along with the well-being of the Israeli citizens, the Government also provides a wide range of career development opportunities in innovation, technology and agricultural industries.

Additionally, the Government also offers unemployment benefits, pension schemes, a safe and secure environment, etc. This allows the citizens to live and work in the growing economy with ease.

International Recognition - With an Israeli passport, you can explore work and travel opportunities in different countries around the world based on individual growth plans and goals.

Entrepreneurial Backing- The Government of Israel promotes entrepreneurship end-to-end to improve the country’s economy. Therefore, it provides all aspiring entrepreneurs with many funding opportunities, a skilled workforce, mentorship programs, etc.

As mentioned above, to obtain Israeli citizenship, you need to surrender your Indian citizenship. This process takes around 6 to 8 weeks after the application is submitted and a receipt is provided.

In addition to that, the citizenship application period for approval is approximately 6 to 18 months, depending on various factors like the Ministry of Interior officer's responsibilities, application form and document verification, other checks, etc.

The fee for Israeli citizenship is ILS 195 or ₹4,297.56.

To check your citizenship application, you can complete any of the following methods.

Contact the Population and Immigration Authority, Israel:

Email on info@piba.gov.il

Call on landline at 1-222-3450 or +972-2-6294666 (if calling from outside Israel).

Visit them at the address - Population and Immigration Authority, Messilat, Yesharim Street 6, Jerusalem, 94584

Contact the Embassy of Israel, New Delhi:

Email on consular2@newdelhi.mfa.gov.il

Call them at (+91) 11-3041-4538, (+91) 11-3041-4561 between 08:30 - 15:00 (Monday - Friday).

Visit them in person at the address 2, Dr ABJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi - 110011 after booking an appointment.

You can also visit any of the Consulate General of Israel in India in Bengaluru or Mumbai to request an update. Do book an appointment before visiting.

Please Note:

When sending an email to any of the authorised email IDs above, you need to provide your application reference number along with any other information regarding your query.

Be patient with the response time.

Always call during working hours.

Incorrect Application Form - One of the biggest mistakes people make while filing out their Israeli citizenship application is rushing it. This results in incorrect information input, which can lead to instant application rejection or unnecessary delays.

Incorrect Documents - Another reason why your application for Israeli citizenship can get rejected is due to the submission of incorrect, fake or insufficient documentation proof. When you do so, your application takes longer to process, and upon verification, rejection is a big possibility.

Insufficient Funds - Proof of sufficient funds is an important eligibility criterion when applying for citizenship in Israel for Indians. Providing incorrect proof or due to low bank balance or personal finances, the chances of application acceptance can reduce significantly.

Limited Language Proficiency - Many countries require an adequate level of proficiency in their national language, and the same is the case with Israel. With the application submission, proof of language proficiency via the Ulpan A2 level test is mandatory. If you fail to pass the test, your application can be rejected due to language gaps.

Complete Transparency on Application Form - The first step is ensuring complete transparency on your application form. Instead of rushing through the application form, take time to understand each question and answer honestly. Also, ensure that you fill the application form in capital and block letters for maximum clarity.

Correct Proof of Supporting Documents - The Israel Ministry of Interior pays extra attention to the supporting documents to ensure the applicant’s ability and eligibility to obtain citizenship. Therefore, you should collect all the required documents in advance and get them translated into English or Hebrew before the final submission.

Learning Hebrew - Language proficiency is a significant prerequisite for Israeli citizenship. Therefore, learning the language in advance and practising it can help you ace your application interview.

Learn about the Israeli Culture - The culture of Israel is very respectful. Thus, understanding basic cultural norms and rules can help you showcase your knowledge and willingness to participate and contribute to the well-being of the Israeli community. This will directly impact your application and result in a favourable outcome.

• Israel lies at the crossroads of three different continents, including Europe, Africa and Asia.

• The lowest point on Earth is in Israel, called the Dead Sea.

• The three prominent religions in Israel include Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

• Israel is often called the “Start-Up Nation” due to the high number of start-ups in the country.

• Regardless of gender, both men and women of Israel are required to serve in the Military service.

• Israel has the greatest number of vegans in the world, making it the land of plant-based food.

• Hebrew was once considered a dead language but was later revived as the Israeli native language.

• Israel is a global leader in medical clowning, and it was also the first country to introduce medical clowns during the global pandemic.

• As far as Israeli borders are concerned, one end is covered by snowy peaks while the other is covered in a desert beach.

• Israel is home to 137 beaches.

Do’s

During Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), public transports are shut down. Make sure you plan your commute to avoid unnecessary delays and cancellations.

English is not a common language in Israel. Therefore, you should learn the local language, Hebrew, while you are settling in to communicate with the locals freely.

Wear modest clothing, especially while visiting religious locations, to respect the community.

Always be open to engaging with new people to build a strong network and nurture long-lasting relationships with the locals. The community is very warm and welcoming to all international people.

Tipping is not mandatory in the country. However, the locals usually participate in this activity and tip the servers and other service providers. Ensure you do the same, as this gesture is greatly appreciated.

Don’t’s

Do not wear revealing clothing, especially in public places or religious spots, as the community is very modest, and it can come across as disrespectful to their culture.

Israelis are quiet and composed people. Thus, avoid raising your voice during communication and respect each other to avoid unnecessary attention.

The citizens of Israel are very passionate about their country and dislike criticism. So, you should avoid participating in debates regarding any cultural or political aspects of the country.

Anyone planning to travel to Israel or any other international destination from India should definitely invest in a travel insurance policy.

Travel insurance is not mandatory for Israel. However, it is highly beneficial in providing extensive financial assistance in case of unforeseen circumstances.

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By following the Israeli citizenship process and meeting the set requirements, you can enjoy a stress-free stay in the country while exploring various professional growth opportunities with ease.

Additionally, given the Israeli passport strength, you get to travel visa-free to 131 different countries and receive global recognition when required for career development. All you need to do is ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and submit timely applications.