More than a hundred years have passed since the moment when the first Jewish settlers from Russia set foot on the land of Palestine. Much has changed since then, the Jewish people have regained their statehood, but Jewish emigration from Russia to Israel continues to be relevant. Thousands of Russian citizens, including non-Jewish nationals, annually travel to this Middle Eastern state for permanent residence. It is necessary to figure out why this country is attractive for Russians, what immigration to Israel from the Russian Federation is and what needs to be done to implement it.
Why moving to the Promised Land is beneficial
Before considering the benefits that immigrants can count on, it should be noted that Israel is not an easy country. Here immigrants expect a constant state of war, a mosaic of different religions and cultures, the "resurrected" Hebrew that is difficult for adult immigrants, a different climate, landscape, scale ...
In addition, life in Israel is very expensive, and prices are comparable to those in Moscow or Paris. Nevertheless, the number of people wishing to get here is not decreasing.
There are several reasons that encourage people to immigrate to Israel:
- religious. Judaism enjoins all Jews to come together. For the Orthodox Jewish believers, the main goal is to reach the Promised Land - Israel;
- material. The stable development of the economy, high rates of growth in industry, construction, and the introduction of high technologies ensure the growth of wages. In 2021, the average salary was NIS 10,073 or USD 2,817;
- high living standards;
- a high degree of social protection;
- quality medical care and a developed health care system;
- affordable modern education;
- strict observance of human rights, the presence of democratic freedoms and prospects for the future;
- personal safety, absence of corruption and low crime rate;
- mild winter.
Additional bonuses include visa-free access to almost 150 countries, an abundance of historical monuments, the presence of a large Russian-speaking diaspora, practical assistance to visitors from the government and the Jewish Agency "Sokhnut".
The most common ways of immigration to Israel
There are several legal schemes for those wishing to go to live in Israel. The algorithm of actions is the same for everyone: opening a visa, moving to the country, residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship.
The easiest way, designed for immigrants of Jewish nationality (their spouses, children, grandchildren), provides for entry through one of the many repatriation programs, thanks to which you can get permanent residence immediately upon arrival, and in the near future - citizenship.
Individuals not recognized as Jews will have to undergo a more complex naturalization procedure.
Repatriation to Israel: who has the right to claim
According to Israel's 1950 Law of Return and 1952 Citizenship Law, every Jew has the right to repatriation (aliyah) and can benefit from certain benefits. This is a free flight to Israel, material assistance from the absorption basket throughout the year, choice of place of residence and departure date, free Hebrew courses, land tax benefits and others.
Repatriation to Israel requires confirmation of Jewish origin and the absence of any religion other than Judaism (atheism is allowed in this case). Applicants should apply for the appropriate services to the Russian office of Sokhnut.
The repatriation department of the Israeli Embassy in the Russian Federation must confirm the right to repatriation. Upon arrival in the country, immigrants register with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Absorption), receive there a "teudat ole" - a repatriate certificate, open a bank account, and, if necessary, draw up a living wage allowance (avtahat ahnasa). New repatriates enjoy the right to receive payments from the “sal klit” (absorption basket) during the year.
For more information about repatriation programs to Israel, the required documents and procedure, see the article "Repatriation to Israel".
Interesting fact. There are two rabbinical courts in Moscow, recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which can conduct conversions. Conversion is a special act of converting a non-Jew who has made a conscious decision to convert to Judaism and leave for Israel.
Labor immigration
As a rule, Israeli employers seek to provide jobs for local residents, but in the absence of the necessary specialists, foreigners are allowed to enter. Working in Israel opens up certain opportunities for immigration to the country for persons who cannot prove Jewish roots and take advantage of repatriation programs.
The right to work is granted by a work visa (B1), which is issued by the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs for a year with the right to renew. It can be obtained by a highly qualified specialist with experience in a profession that is in short supply for the Israeli economy, subject to the consent of the Ministry of Industry, Labor and Trade. Today there is a particularly great demand for construction specialties and professionals in IT-technologies. The B1 visa can be renewed only in the branch of the economy in which the original permit was issued.
Immigration through family reunification
Speaking about how to reunite with a family in Israel, it should be noted that in this case we are talking only about close relatives - elderly parents and their children who are Israeli citizens or persons who legally reside in Israel.
Family reunification is possible if the elderly are disabled and have no other relatives.
The family reunification law in Israel sets the age limit: 67 for men, 65 for women; Proofs of children's solvency and their ability to support close relatives are required. To obtain a residence permit, old people are issued a B1 visa: one-year for persons over 70 years old, for two years for persons under 70 years old; later, an A5 visa is issued for two years. Permanent residence can be obtained in 3-4 years.
Immigration through marriage
Emigration from Russia to Israel to a non-Jew is possible through marriage with an Israeli citizen, a person with the right to permanent residence in Israel, or a future repatriate. Spouses must apply to the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs with an application for a permanent residence permit for the spouse.
The main requirement of the authorities is that the marriage should not be fictitious. After a thorough check for fictitiousness, the foreign spouse is opened a one-year visa with the right to renew.
Each renewal is followed by a new check of the marriage. This stepwise procedure lasts an average of 4.5 - 5 years.
After this time, the spouse acquires the rights of a permanent resident or citizenship. Thus, the conclusion of marriage with an Israeli citizen makes it possible only in the future to apply for an Israeli passport.
Other possible ways of immigration
Other opportunities for legal immigration to Israel for Russians are limited. For example, an attempt by Russian citizens to acquire refugee status is doomed to failure. The Israeli authorities very rarely and reluctantly allow refugees to temporarily stay in the country, carefully analyze the situation in the countries of residence of the applicants, and the authorities are trying to escort them out of the country as soon as possible.
Nevertheless, many Russians apply for asylum - the case can be considered for 2-3 years, the applicant is allowed to legally reside in the country (A5 visa) with the right to work. In most cases, the case ends with deportation to their homeland and a ban on entry to Israel.
Business immigration to the country is limited - obtaining permanent residence in exchange for investment in Israel is not practiced. Providing a residence permit for doing business here is possible in extreme cases when it comes to projects that are especially beneficial for Israel.
Students are more likely to stay in Israel. The education of Russians who came to the country on a student visa and study at one of the Israeli universities does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Israeli law restricts this right to foreign students.
However, a long stay in the country, mastering the language, obtaining a specialty in demand in the country can lead to the fact that after graduating from the university, the former student finds a profitable job and receives a work visa.
The main stages of immigration
Citizens of the Russian Federation who have decided to emigrate to Israel have to go through several stages:
- preparatory. Associated with the preparation of papers, interviews, checks, visa processing;
- entering the country, obtaining the status of a residence permit, permanent residence and residence in Israel for a specified time;
- obtaining an Israeli indigenate (citizenship).
Set of documents for immigration
The success of the planned event largely depends on how correctly and carefully the official papers are prepared. The list of documents may differ depending on who can immigrate to Israel, which way of immigration follows.
The basic package of papers for obtaining a residence permit / permanent residence in Israel includes:
- valid civil and foreign passports (must be valid for at least 6 months after the issuance of the visa);
- police clearance certificate;
- work book;
- pension certificate (for pensioners);
- military ID (for men);
- certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, etc .;
- color photo (3x4 cm) not older than 6 months;
- documents confirming the level of education;
- insurance policy.
Required documents for immigration of minor children to Israel - passport, birth certificate, photo (3x4 cm), insurance policy.
Additional documents:
| Immigration path | Set of documents |
|---|---|
| Repatriation | Marriage certificates of parents, grandfathers, grandmothers; birth certificates of relatives living in Israel, their documents; additional papers - letters, archival certificates, photo albums, etc. |
| Work visa to Israel | 2 photos (5x5 cm); Certificate of completion of courses for nursing the sick and elderly people (for nurses, etc.); Medical certificates (f. 082, fluorography, certificates of the absence of AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis A, B, C; signed contract with the employer. |
| Marriage | Documentary confirmation of marriage (5 or more letters of credence in Hebrew from close friends and family members, dated, signed and with contact details; joint photos; invoices from hotels, restaurants, receipts of utility bills and other evidence of cohabitation). |
Documents must be translated into Hebrew and English, copies certified by a notary.
Residence permit and permanent residence in Israel
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country is responsible for granting the right to a residence permit in Israel. Citizens of the Russian Federation wishing to move to this country must apply for a general temporary residence permit - an A5 visa.
A5 visa allows a foreigner to stay in the country, work, enjoy the rights to medical care, pension insurance, etc. Temporary residence permit is renewed annually until the right to permanent residence is obtained.
When submitting an application to the migration service with a request to provide permanent residence in Israel, all persons indicated in the application, including young children, must be present.
Israeli citizenship
Obtaining a "darkon" or passport of an Israeli citizen is the ultimate goal for many. Practice shows that the easiest way to find an Israeli indigenous person is to use one of the repatriation programs.
Israeli citizenship allows visa-free travel to more than 150 countries around the world. Israel does not recognize dual citizenship, so the Russian passport will have to be abandoned.
For Israeli citizens who left the country before the age of 14 and wish to return, re-immigration to Israel and restoration of citizenship are possible.
Which Israeli city is better to immigrate to from the Russian Federation?
When choosing a place of residence in Israel, Russian immigrants should take into account the following circumstances:
- in large Israeli cities (Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ashdod), industry is developed, they pay higher salaries, and there are more chances of finding a well-paid job;
- Russians in Israel often prefer Haifa, which has the largest Russian-speaking community in Israel;
- housing prices are higher in large cities, so many immigrants live in small towns and cities, and work in large cities;
- the most dangerous regions for living are the western coast of the Jordan (the threat of military action and terrorism), the Haifa and Central districts (here the most unfavorable ecological situation). Netanya and the northern regions of the country are more prosperous in this respect.
For those for whom immigration to Israel through the Jewish line is relevant, it is easier to settle where their relatives, citizens of Israel, live.
Instead of a conclusion
Residents of the Russian Federation, both Jews and non-Jews, have a real opportunity to acquire an Israeli passport. Speaking about how to emigrate from Russia to Israel, which immigration option to choose, one should clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of each method of obtaining an Israeli passport.
Pros and cons of immigration to Israel:
| Immigration path | pros | Minuses |
|---|---|---|
| Repatriation or immigration by blood to Israel | The easiest and most reliable option; support from the state and the availability of benefits, including payments from the absorption fund; the opportunity for the spouse of the repatriate to simultaneously obtain citizenship | Need for Evidence of Jewish Descent |
| Labor immigration | Opens up opportunities for permanent residence for non-Jews | Difficulty obtaining a work visa; doing business does not mean permanent residence in Israel; the need for high qualifications. |
| Immigration by marriage | Gives the opportunity to receive an Israeli indigenous to a non-Jew | The duration of the process and the passage of constant checks. |
| Family reunification | Allows you to transport elderly parents to Israel | Acquisition of permanent residence in 3-4 years. |
| Study in Israel | Gives chances for working immigration after graduation | Does not give the right to a residence permit |
