The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority plays a main role in managing Israeli’s immigration and residency policies. The instruction 3.3.0001, regarding the procedure for processing a request of “Oleh Hadash” for an Israeli travel document, sets forth the guidelines for passport issuance and residency status verification in Israel.
Detailed overview
The procedure primarily addresses the passport issuance criteria for different categories of residents in Israel. It’s applicable to new immigrants, individuals who have resided in Israel for various durations, and those holding different resident statuses. The validity period of a passport is ten years from the date of issue, but an Israeli citizen who has not settled in Israel may be granted a passport for a period shorter than ten years or a travel document instead.
A new immigrant’s eligibility for a passport is only after one year from the date of their immigration, and examination of settlement in the country is also done in the application for a first passport. New immigrants who has not yet completed one year since their immigration will receive a travel document (Teudat Maavar) instead of a national passport (Darkon) valid for five years. New immigrants who have completed one year since their immigration but less than five years, as long as they have settled in the country since their immigration, will receive a passport for five years. However, immigrants who have not settled in the country since their immigration will receive a temporary travel document instead of a national passport valid for five years.
Residency verification process
Settlement in the country, according to the MOI policy adopted over the years, and the decision whether to issue a passport or a travel document instead of a national passport, for one year, five years, or ten years, depends on meeting the following criterion:
1. A new immigrant who has not yet completed one year since his immigration will receive a travel document instead of a national passport valid for five years, without a check of settlement in Israel.
2. A new immigrant who has completed one year since his immigration but less than five years, and has stayed in the country for at least 75% of the time from the day of immigration until the day of application, is eligible to receive a passport valid for five years. If he has stayed for a shorter period, he will receive a travel document instead of a national passport valid for five years.
3. An immigrant who has completed five years since becoming a citizen:
- If he has stayed in the country for 36 months out of 60, he is considered to have settled in the country and can be issued a passport valid for up to ten years.
- A new immigrant who has not stayed in the country for 36 out of 60 months will receive a travel document instead of a national passport valid for five years.
- A new immigrant who has not settled in the country as stated previously is not eligible for a passport, but in the last year before applying for a travel document has stayed in Israel continuously for a year, can be issued a passport valid for one year. After a year, his settlement will be re-examined.
The above rules apply equally to minors and adults.
Special considerations and exceptions
Details exceptions and special conditions under the procedure, focusing on minors, individuals with unique residency histories, or those with specific legal circumstances. Explains the discretion granted to immigration officials in handling atypical cases or situations that don’t fit standard criteria.
Conclusion
A specific instruction governs the issuance and extension of passports for new immigrants. This instruction outlines the conditions under which a passport can be issued or extended for new immigrants. If you do not meet these criteria, or if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always available and eager to assist you.
