Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Introduction and Overview of Absorption Services for New Immigrants

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

6 Welcome! Making Aliya to Israel is a new beginning in almost all fields of life: A new citizenship, a new language, finding a home and a job, accompanying the children as they enter an educational framework, integrating socially and more. When you receive new- immigrant status, you become Israeli citizens, and you have rights and obligations. In order to assist you during the absorption period, the State of Israel offers you assistance in a variety of fields such as studies and employment. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration provides the greater part of assistance to new immigrants, along with other Government ministries and bodies such as the municipal authorities, institutions of higher education, and the Israel Defense Forces. This guide presents a detailed explanation about the various types of assistance, the conditions for eligibility to receive them, and the procedures that you must follow in order to receive the assistance to which you are entitled. Prior to Aliyah, it is advisable to obtain as much relevant information as possible, in order to enable a smooth and successful absorption process, free of obstacles, and to enable realization of rights. It is advisable to enquire in advance about options for Hebrew study, military service, educational options, employment, professional training and retraining, housing options, (or accommodations on a kibbutz or an ulpan) customs, health insurance, income tax, and other matters. When you arrive in Israel, you will receive personal and all- encompassing service from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration makes an effort to ease the absorption process and to concentrate most of its services at a single service point. At a branch of the Ministry near your home, you will meet with a personal absorption counselor (Yoetz Klita), with whom you will construct an individual absorption track for yourself and your family that is tailored to your needs. Introduction

7 The personal absorption counselor will provide you with a detailed explanation of the financial assistance available during your first half-year in the country, such as the Absorption Basket, National Insurance allowances and other options. Furthermore, your counselor will give you a check list of actions for starting on your way as “Olim” (New Immigrants) and offer guidance on necessary procedures that you must undertake immediately following your arrival in Israel. After completing Hebrew studies at the ulpan, you are welcome to use the help of your personal absorption counselor to devise an employment strategy and investigate your eligibility for assured income during the period of your job search or study in a course. It is possible at any stage to arrange an appointment with your counselor in order to plan future steps together. The counselor will guide you and your family through each stage, monitor the implementation of your rights, and will be available for assistance if needed when turning to other bodies such as municipal authorities, the National Insurance Institute, schools, and sources of assistance. Parallel to the meetings with the counselor, it is advisable to sign up to the Personal Account area - (Ezor Ishi) on the site of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The Personal Account will enable you to receive information about assistance and payments you have received from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and future benefits for which you are eligible. In addition, you can send an online inquiry in your language to your absorption counselor. For detailed information about the Personal Account on the ministry’s website: https://www.gov.il/he/service/private-area-new-immigrants- and-returning-residents For your information, due to the Corona pandemic the online services have been developed and expanded, and now it is rarely necessary to arrive in person at the Ministry’s offices. In this publication, we present the main information necessary for your successful integration. For more details and in-depth information, visit the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration website (in five languages), other relevant government websites, and turn to your personal absorption counselor. In addition, it is possible to receive further information in the publications of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

8 For your information, if you have spent time in Israel in the past, as a temporary resident or any other status, for periods of a year or more, consecutively or accumulatively, inquire in advance what effect these periods of time might have on your rights for assistance and on the duration of your eligibility. One can check this with the help of the representative of The Jewish Agency. We wish you an easy and successful absorption in Israel. Please Note! The information contained here is a general guide only, and does not confer eligibility for any type of assistance or benefit. Details and regulations are subject to change. Before undertaking any action based on this information, be sure to ascertain the rights and benefits to which you are entitled. The information in this guidebook is based on data provided by various official sources. In case of any error, alteration, or discrepancy between the information presented and the laws and regulations of official bodies, the laws and regulations of the official bodies will prevail. The information phrased in the masculine form is intended for men and women alike.