Israel: Information on whether persons who immigrate to Israel under the provisions of the Law of Return are required to apply for landed immigrant status once in Israel, and on when these persons actually become Israeli citizens
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISR15840.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Israel: Information on whether persons who immigrate to Israel under the provisions of the Law of Return are required to apply for landed immigrant status once in Israel, and on when these persons actually become Israeli citizens, 1 December 1993, ISR15840.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab564c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa provided the following information on the above subjects during a telephone interview on 10 December 1993.
Once in Israel, persons who immigrate to Israel under the provisions of the Law of Return are not required to apply for landed immigrant status or Israeli citizenship, since they are already Israeli citizens. Upon their arrival in Israel the Israeli authorities provide such persons with all the necessary documents, excluding passports. Israeli passports are issued to Israeli citizens who have performed the duties associated with being a citizen, including military service. Personal situations including age and marital status determine the length of military service that an Israeli must perform. In addition, Israeli citizens who wish to apply for a passport, if they have received a government assistance loan for an immigrant, must have finished paying back the loan.
Referring to ex-Soviet immigrants, the DIRB publication Israel: Jews from the Former Soviet Union states that prior to an immigrant's arrival in Israel, the Israeli government issues an orange travel document which proves "actual Israeli citizenship, not merely the right to acquire it" (Feb. 1993, 5).
Attached please find a copy of the Law of Return.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of Israel, Ottawa. 10 December 1993. Telephone interview with representative.
Documentation, Information and Research Branch (DIRB), Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa. February 1993. Israel: Jews from the Former Soviet Union.
Attachment
Lahav, Pnina and Phyllis M. Blaustein. 1988. "Israel." Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, pp. 57-58.