The Pre Aliyah stage requires a one off effort to assemble all the necessary documentation needed for your Aliyah Application. As required, supporting notarized documents in your country of origin should be presented. The following list, while subject to change, should cover most of the basic document requirements:
1. Photo Requirements
It’s best to gear up your photos to cover not only Pre Aliyah requirements, but later ones concerned with eventually getting all main Israeli documents, including an Israeli passport
- Avoid white clothing because the background for an Israeli passport is light gray
- It is best to remove your glasses to eliminate possible rejection due to reflections
- Your expression must be neutral with no frowning or smiling
- You should be looking directly at the camera
- Your face should fill between 70 to 80% of the photo area
- Israeli Passport photographs must be taken by a professional studio
- Overall size of passport photo should be 50mm x 50mm
- Passport and Visa photo sizes and quantities of photos required change frequently.
- Israeli Passport photos must have a head size between 25mm -35mm
- Israeli Passport photos must appear in clear and good quality
- Israeli Passport photos must be printed on good quality photographic paper
- Show the full face from the front view (both ears should be showing)
- Photos should be recently taken, generally within the last six months
- Color Photographs only, no Black and white
- It is best to be neatly dressed
- Requirements for an Israeli visa photo are similar to passport photo specifications
- Quantity of prints should be generous, aim for about 20 photos for each applicant All
2. Foreign passports to cover the whole family
- Ensure you have copies handy
- Write down your foreign passport details and keep in safe place
- Minors traveling alone, must bring copies of their parent’s or guardian’s passport
3. References
- Letters of recommendation from past employers
- Letters of recommendation from other institutions
- Supporting letters from community rabbi, to include confirmation of Jewish identity
4. Identity & Status Confirmation
- Birth certificates for each applicant
- Custodial proof
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce agreements, pre-nuptial agreements with appropriate certification
- Conversion documentation
- All certificates and applicable medical reports
6. Financial
- For ‘Assisted Aliyah’ conform to requested documentation requirements
- Banking and accounts information
- International credit cards
- Curriculum Vitae
- Original of all educational certificates
- Details of educational curriculum
- Confirmation of study dates
- Professional certificates / licenses
8. Security clearance & felonies
- Only upon request, furnish official confirmation of ‘clean record’
- For previous felonies, furnish all related details, with official reports (Note: Rejections are very seldom, so it is important to also bring supporting documents verifying good behavior since the felony & corrective treatment occurred)
9. General
- Driving licenses from country of origin
- Wills
- IDF exemptions and deferments for returning Israelis. Please Note: It cannot be overstated that the IDF should always be kept in the picture for those applicable for service. There are many categories of exemption or deferment from IDF service, which only requires appropriate discussion with their official representatives. However, failure to properly attend to this matter can result in legal action
10. Shipping Documentation
- All receipts of goods intended to export to Israel
- Proof of ownership & registration, specially for cars
You now have decided that you may well be eligible to enter Israel as a new arrival. Furthermore, following listing your requirements together with examining the Aliyah documents you will need, you are now ready to move on.