Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Immigrant Citizen and Returning Citizen Status & Eligibility

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

131 in the IDF on condition that it was in continuation of the regular (sadir) service. • A stay in Israel as part of the Masa program. • A service year (shnat sherut) (dependent on providing confirmation from the Security-Social Division of the Ministry of Defense). • A pre-military preparation program Mechina (dependent on providing confirmation from the Security-Social Division of the Ministry of Defense or confirmation of completing the program from a recognized Mechina). • A stay in Israel of up to four months before the military service and up to two months after it. Eligibility An immigrant citizen receives a new immigrant certificate and is eligible for assistance as a new immigrant. The decision whether an immigrant citizen is eligible for full or partial assistance or not eligible for assistance, is determined in accordance with the criteria regarding a new immigrant, see below. Please Note! The determining of one’s status as an immigrant citizen is relevant only for the matters of assistance regarding the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. For the matters of assistance given by other offices, the rules are different from the rules of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. One should turn directly to the relevant bodies to receive information about rights. Returning citizen (“toshav hozer”) A returning resident is an Israeli resident who has Israeli citizenship who has spent at least two years abroad and all the conditions mentioned in the chapter “returning residents” are applicable to this person. Eligibility A returning resident is eligible for a returning resident certificate and for assistance as mentioned in detail in the chapter “returning residents”.