And it shall be when you enter the land (Deuteronomy 26:1) A guide to your first steps in Israel North American Version Updated January 2015
A guide for Olim
Who is this guide for? This guide is for the first time Oleh only If you have previously held an Israeli ID number for any reason; as an A1 Temporary Resident visa holder, as a permanent resident, a Machal Volunteer, you are (or were) an Israeli citizen or if you are married to a person who has previously held an Aliyah status, please refer to your Aliyah office for clarification
Booking your Aliyah flight Aliyah flights must be arranged through Nefesh B Nefesh at 1-866-4-ALIYAH Option 1 Charter flight from JFK July / August accompanied by Jewish Agency, NBN and Interior Ministry staff. Welcoming ceremony upon arrival Option 2 Group flight from Newark monthly throughout the year accompanied by NBN staff Option 3 Individual Aliyah flight Please note that procedures upon arrival may vary somewhat for group and charter flights please refer to Nefesh B Nefesh for specific information about your situation.
Before you leave you should have Your passport with an Aliyah visa Originals of all documents presented to your Aliyah office packed in your hand luggage Confirmation of your flight and baggage allowance Updated Nefesh B Nefesh with your first address in Israel and contact telephone numbers
Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport Upon exiting the plane, you should be met by a representative of the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption. Crop and insert pic of Boris In addition, you may be met by a representative of an Oleh association (AACI)
In the event that you are not met. Proceed in the direction of passport control Immediately prior to the entrance to the passport hall you will find a phone mounted on the wall on the left hand side Pick the phone up to be connected directly to the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Office
Passport control Present your Aliyah visa to be stamped in the foreign passport line. Mazal Tov!! You will then be accompanied to the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption offices
At the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption receive: Teudat Oleh 1 per family. Contact information for your local branch of the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption will be printed inside Teudat Zehut (ID card) 1 per family member aged 16 and up (in some cases you will be referred to your local Interior Ministry branch) 1 st installment of Sal Klita in cash Confirmation of registration with the Health fund of your choice Photo can go here. No more than two, but preferably one. Feel free to fill an entire slide with only a photo to break up your presentation if you like. 200 free call minutes for your cellphone
Heading for home You will be accompanied to pick up your bags At customs you are required to declare individual items valued at $200 or more or cash of more than NIS 1,125,000 You will be accompanied to your free taxi which will take you to your first destination
Your first day in Israel It s highly recommended that you use your first day in Israel to rest, recover from the flight and get yourself orientated to your new surroundings
Dealing with Government offices Due to improvements in services, particularly at the airport, there are fewer encounters with bureaucracy than ever before. Before taking a morning off ulpan or work to visit a Government office, check that you have the correct address and opening hours for the service that you require they are subject to change. Check that you have all documents that you may need. Preparing copies of everything is usually a good idea. Tip: if your Hebrew is limited, taking a Hebrew speaking friend can smooth the way.
Teudat Zehut The Interior Ministry (Misrad Hapnim) www.moin.gov.il or *3450 If you did not receive your Teudat Zehut (ID card) at the airport, each family member aged at least 16 will need to apply in person at the local branch of the Interior Ministry Each person will need: Passport 2 passport photos Original documents presented to the Aliyah office (Rabbi s letter, birth, marriage, death certificates etc.) Printed forms received at the airport
Opening a bank account Choose a convenient bank and open a Shekel account. Deposit at least a minimal sum to activate the account Ask what benefits you can receive as an Oleh If you previously held a tourist account, update your bank as to your new status Check process for obtaining cheque books, bank and credit cards, internet banking Make sure that the bank fills out and stamps the form received at the airport
Sal Klita and Ulpan Misrad Haklita www.moia.gov.il 03-973-3333 Arrange an appointment at your local Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption branch (details should have been printed in your Teudat Oleh) Register for Hebrew classes (Ulpan) Arrange ongoing monthly Sal Klita financial assistance payments
Medical Insurance If you chose not to register at the airport, take the forms received to the Postal Bank (most large Post Offices) Pay registration fee (approximately NIS 15 per person) and sign up for the fund of your choice Receive your membership card at the Health Fund offices
Opening a file with Customs www.mof.gov.il/taxes If you are planning on receiving a shipment, purchasing Israeli manufactured goods with a discount or using Oleh rights to buy a car you ll need a customs file. Fax or hand-deliver the following documents to the customs authority offices Teudat Oleh Copy of the front page and Aliyah visa from your passport (married couples must submit both passports)
Teudat Ma avar / Passport The Interior Ministry (Misrad Hapnim) www.moin.gov.il or *3450 For 90 days following your Aliyah, you may leave Israel using your foreign passport. After 90 days, you will need Israeli travel documents to leave the country. In the first year you are able to apply for a temporary document called a Teudat Ma avar Once you have established residency (lived in Israel for at least a year) you will be able to apply for a full passport In each case apply in person with: 2 passport pictures Teudat Zehut Money (Teudat Ma avar or child s passport NIS 135, Adult passport NIS 270) Discount given if forms are filled out and payment made online
Driver s license he.mot.gov.il *5678 Olim may drive in Israel using a valid foreign license for up to 1 year from date of Aliyah (Olim who were in Israel on a tourist visa prior to their Aliyah should assume that this period is included in their year). An Oleh may obtain an Israeli license by passing a simple on-the-road test within 3 years of their Aliyah date. A theory test is required only if the road test is failed twice. In order to utilise Aliyah benefits to purchase a car both an Israeli license and a foreign license, issued prior to Aliyah in the country of origin are required.
Driver s license (continued) he.mot.gov.il *5678 Go to the local photo station to begin the process (full list of stations on the website) Arrange an eye test and medical Take the completed form to the licensing authority office with: Teudat Zehut Teudat Oleh Passport with Aliyah visa Foreign Driver s license Photocopies of all the above Arrange lessons and a test with a recommended instructor Drive carefully!
Arnona Municipal Tax Olim are entitled to a reduction of up to 90% (depending on location) in Arnona (Municipal Tax) on 100 sq. m of their home for 12 of their first 24 months in Israel Take the follow to your local municipality: Teudat Zehut + copy Teudat Oleh + copy House contract + copy Arnona bill Confirmation that the reduction has not been received elsewhere (in the event that you were previously resident in a different location)
Degree recognition www.education.gov.il Needed if you work in the public sector or if you ever need to collect unemployment benefit Take the following to the Ministry of Education: Teudat Zehut Teudat Oleh Original Diploma Official transcript/s If you completed High School after 2000 High School Diploma
Useful contact information Global Center The Jewish Agency for Israel 1-800-228-055 Misrad Hapnim www.moin.gov.il *3450 Misrad Haklita www.moia.gov.il 03-973-3333 Bituach Leumi www.btl.gov.il *6050 Customs / Income Tax http://www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/ Driving Licenses www.mot.gov.il *5678 Army www.aka.idf.il/main/giyus
Glossary of terms used Teudat Zehut Teudat Oleh Teudat Ma avar Ulpan Sal Klita Misrad Hapnim Misrad Haklita Bituach Leumi Kupat Cholim Identity card Oleh benefits booklet Temporary passport Hebrew classes Financial assistance paid in the 6 months following Aliyah Interior Ministry (responsible for issuing Teudat Zehut, Teudat Ma avar, Passports, changing addresses etc Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption responsible for most Aliyah benefits The National Insurance - responsible for welfare payments, pensions, child benefit, unemployment Health Insurance fund
Wishing you. A soft landing, easy absorption and lots of success!. נחיתה רכה, קליטה קלה והמון הצלחה! See you in Israel! להתראות בארץ!