The Law of Return in Israel allows Jews, their children, grandchildren, and their family members to obtain legal status in the country. It’s important to note that great-grandchildren of Jews are not directly eligible for legal status under the Law of Return. However, if a great-grandchild of a Jew meets specific criteria set by the Interior Ministry, they may still obtain this status.
A great-grandchild of a Jewish person is defined as someone who has at least one Jewish ancestor, but whose parents are not Jewish. This means that if a person has a Jewish ancestor but neither Jewish parents nor is Jewish themselves, they are considered a great-grandchild of a Jew according to the Interior Ministry’s instructions.
It is crucial to understand that a great-grandchild of a Jew is eligible for legal status in Israel only until they reach the age of 18. If a great-grandchild of a Jew turns 18 without having received legal status, they can no longer receive it on the basis of being a great-grandchild of a Jew.
Even if a great-grandchild of a Jew applies for legal status before turning 18, they are not automatically granted Israeli citizenship. Instead, they may receive an A-5 residence permit. After holding this residence permit for one year, the great-grandchild of a Jew can apply to extend it for an additional three years.
After a total of four years, if the great-grandchild’s center of life has been in Israel and they are still under 18, their parents can apply for Israeli citizenship on their behalf. If the great-grandchild has reached the age of majority (18 years old) after four years with an A-5 visa and their center of life is in Israel, they may apply for Israeli citizenship based on Article 5 of the Citizenship Law or Article 7 of the Citizenship Law, especially if they have married an Israeli citizen.
To receive legal status as a great-grandchild of a Jew, the following criteria must be met:
- Documentation proving that one of the parents is the grandchild of a Jew.
- The applicant’s birth certificate.
- A confirmation that the applicant, if over 14 years of age, has not been convicted of a crime that poses a danger to society.
If you have any questions about this process, we are here to assist you.
In case you have any questions about such a process, we will be happy to assist you.