Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Status change to Oleh, period of eligibility, and eligibility extension

Source: Israeli Government Guide for New Immigrants · 2026-05

137 the years prior to receiving the status of a new immigrant or the eligibility for it. Receiving status in Israel A person who has a temporary visa (a tourist, a temporary resident, etc.) who is interested in receiving a status should turn to the following offices in order to enquire about the process and the list of necessary documents: People from the former Soviet Union - the Population and Immigration Authority: phone number 074-7083450 or *3450 or on the website www.piba.gov.il People from North America - Nefesh B’Nefesh organization Phone number: 02-6595800 People from other countries - the Jewish Agency Global Centers Phone number: 1-800-228-055 After receiving the status from the Population and Immigration Authority, one should turn to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in order to check whether one has eligibility for a new immigrant certificate or eligibility for assistance from the Ministry. The eligibility will be determined according to the length of stay in Israel before receiving the status and according to what one did during that period. The rights and types of assistance one is eligible for will be determined accordingly. On the website of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration there is detailed information about the subject: https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/General/change-of-status-to-oleh Extending the period of eligibility All types of assistance can be realized during a certain period. This period is called the “period of eligibility.” It begins from the date of receiving the status of a new immigrant or eligibility as a new immigrant. In certain cases when it is not possible to realize the eligibility, the eligibility is “frozen”, and is renewed after the “freezing period” ends:

138 Regular (sadir) service in the IDF or service in National/Civil Service (Sherut Leumi/Ezrachi): during regular (sadir) service in the IDF and during a one year of standing army service (keva) in the IDF (on condition that it was in continuation of the regular (sadir) service) or National/Civil Service, the period of eligibility of all types of assistance is “frozen” and is renewed after the end of the mandatory service. A stay abroad: the assistance given to new immigrants by the state is dependent on the new immigrant’s residing in Israel. The assistance is stopped when one goes abroad. If the stay abroad is for a consecutive period longer than six months, the period of eligibility of the new immigrant is “frozen”, and continues after the end of the “period of freezing”. Visits abroad that are shorter than six months are considered a stay in Israel. This rule also applies to a returning minor and a new immigrant citizen. The extension of eligibility applies to most types of assistance given by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration if the new immigrant did not receive them yet. For instance, one can extend, dependent on certain conditions, the eligibility for assistance of assured income, courses and so forth. On the other hand, certain areas of assistance cannot be extended, such as the absorption basket, rental assistance and so forth. The regulations of the ministry may change, and the regulation that is in force during the request for assistance upon returning to Israel prevails. For more information about extending eligibility and methods of extension: https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/General/extension_of_ eligibility The absorption counselors at the regional branches of the Ministry can provide details about the assistance given by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. In order to check the assistance of other bodies, such as the Population and Immigration Authority, the Ministry of Construction and Housing, the National Insurance Institute (The NII) or customs - one should turn directly to those bodies. Please Note! Each new immigrant has different personal data of period regarding the stay in the country and received assistance. Whoever is traveling abroad must enquire before the trip the conditions and options for receiving assistance and extending the eligibility upon returning to Israel.