How to go to Israel for permanent residence in 2017? This issue is on the agenda for a significant number of Russians and Ukrainians. And it's not just about citizens with Jewish roots. The state, located in the southwest of Asia, attracts with a high standard of living and social development. Let's find out how emigration to Israel from the Russian Federation and from Ukraine is carried out.

How to go to live in Israel? In 2017, this issue continues to be of interest to residents of the former Soviet republics. Many Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and citizens of other CIS countries are going to settle in the Middle Eastern power on a permanent basis. We will understand all the nuances of the immigration process to Israel: how to move from Russia or Ukraine, what documents to submit, where to start the procedure for obtaining permanent residence in Israel, etc.

Despite the heightened terrorist threat, people from all over the world continue to move to Israel. Stretching along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the republic is famous for its multinationality and multiculturalism. As a place of permanent residence, it is chosen by many visitors from Ukraine and Russia.

More than a quarter of the population of the coastal state are immigrants. In 2016 alone, about 27,000 new repatriates arrived in the country. Among them:

• Almost 7 thousand people moved to Israel from Russia (in 2015, there were about 6.6 thousand Russian repatriates).
• 5.5 thousand from Ukraine.
• 5 thousand from France.
• 2.9 thousand from the USA.

As for the age and professional qualifications of repatriates who came to Israel for permanent residence, the statistics are as follows:

8.7 thousand arrived for permanent residence - people without a specific specialty. 1.85 thousand repatriates - without work experience.

Advantages of Israeli permanent residence

Why is emigration to Israel so attractive? There are many factors influencing the desire of foreigners to settle in the republic. Among the main advantages of acquiring permanent residence in Israel:

• All conditions have been created for adaptation to local life.
• In almost everything equal rights with the holders of Israeli citizenship.
• High level and longevity.
• Government support for six months after the move.
• Business creation and development opportunities.
• Social guarantees and numerous benefits, including tax.
• The right to employment, health care and pensions.
• One of the best healthcare systems in the world, advanced medicine.
• A world-renowned education system.
• Visa-free entry to the territory of about a hundred states.
• Opportunity to eventually apply for citizenship.

How to start the immigration process

Russians and Ukrainians who are going to leave for Israel for permanent residence have one significant advantage. Prior to the start of immigration procedures, citizens of the Russian Federation and Ukraine can visit the Middle Eastern country without a visa.

So potential migrants will get acquainted with life in the state. And with full knowledge of the matter, they will decide whether they should emigrate to Israel.

In 2017, the terms of the visa-free regime for Russians and Ukrainians remained the same. It is allowed to stay in a coastal state without a visa for 3 months in one half year. Based on your own experience, having joined the life in the republic, you can start the immigration procedure.

Grounds for moving to permanent residence

Emigration to Israel begins with determining the grounds for entry for permanent residence. There were no changes in this regard in 2017. Moving to Israel for permanent residence is available for the following categories of citizens:

1. Persons able to document their Jewish origin (their own or parents/grandparents). It is the repatriation (that is, the return) of Jews that is the most popular direction of emigration to the Middle Eastern state.
2. Pensioners whose children or spouses legally reside in Israel.
3. Foreigners who have married an Israeli/Israeli woman.
4. labor migrants.

Repatriation to the State of Israel

Immigration to Israel based on origin is available for Russians and Ukrainians with Jewish roots. To enter the coastal republic, they will need to obtain a visa for permanent residence. The Israeli diplomatic missions are engaged in the preparation of the document. In the Russian Federation, this is the embassy of a Middle Eastern country in Moscow.

Nuances of visiting the embassy

The repatriation department accepts visitors only by appointment. Candidates should register using one of their phone numbers:

Israeli Embassy in Moscow on Bolshaya Ordynka, 56

• +7 (499) 238-15-63.
• +7 (499) 238-58-41.
• +7 (499) 238-96-16.

Applicants for a visa to leave for permanent residence arrive at the embassy on the appointed day. They will accept documents and conduct an interview. The whole family should come. Children immigrating with older relatives also need to come to the diplomatic department.

For security reasons, it is forbidden to bring food, drinks, medicines and hand luggage, including handbags, into the embassy. You are allowed to take with you:

• Folder with documents.
• Valuables (money, mobile phones, keys, etc.).

Documentation

In 2017, the package of papers required for obtaining a permanent residence visa includes:

Documentation	Requirements
Questionnaire statement
Passports	All in stock Expiration date of the passport - plus six months from the date of granting the visa
Photocards	colored 30 by 40 mm. 1 piece for each potential migrant, including newborns
Testimonies (originals)	About birth (for all members of the immigrating family) On the marriage of parents On the birth of mother and father About a marriage entered into by the grandparents of a Jewish parent About the birth of a Jewish grandfather / Jewish grandmother
Employment books	Originals
Education documents
Military ID
Documentation of the next of kin in Israel (if available)	The documents contain the main data of relatives: Exact date of repatriation to Israel Israeli ID numbers home addresses Phone numbers

As the embassy employees warn, there are no, and cannot be, extra documents when submitting. During the consular check, a wide variety of documents can be useful. For example, letters and photos from the family archive. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately bring the fullest set of papers. Then you won't have to visit the diplomatic mission several times.

Important! Documents sent by e-mail are not considered by the diplomatic mission.

Following actions

Having successfully passed the interview stage, applicants are waiting for a decision on their application. In case of a positive response, they will be granted a visa to leave for permanent residence. Passports must first be stamped with proof of residence abroad.

Entry to Israel

Based on the obtained visa, immigrants enter Israeli territory. The specialized Jewish Agency (Sokhnut) helps everyone in the process of migration free of charge. The following services are available for returnees:

1. Relocation support:
   1. Registration in the group of migrants departing in the near future.
   2. Free flights for the main expat, his wife/husband and children.
   3. If necessary, transportation to the airport.
2. Meeting upon arrival.
3. Registration of documents in Israel.
4. Help in finding a job.

Directly the status of permanent residence is granted in Israel. After a control check, migrants are given internal identity cards and other necessary documents.

After 1 year of residence, it is issued - for trips to your homeland and to other countries of the world.

Emigration to relatives

Entrance to children

This option of emigration to Israel is suitable for citizens who meet 2 main conditions:

1. They are elderly people.
2. They have a close Israeli relative or a relative with a permanent Israeli residence permit. Close relatives mean children and spouses legally living in the republic.

Initially, elderly foreigners receive a temporary residence permit. After 3 years, they are allowed to apply for permanent residence.

Marriage

A wedding with an Israeli citizen gives grounds for permanent residence in a Middle Eastern power. At the same time, the registration of relations does not have to take place on Israeli territory. Immigration to Israel through marriage begins with obtaining a one-year residence permit. Then it is allowed to be extended.

Documents for immigration to children and spouses

Persons entering Israel with close relatives submit:

• An application to be brought to the Israeli Ministry of the Interior.
• International passport.
• Color photographic card size 30 by 40 mm.
• Confirmation of family ties (birth certificate of a son/daughter living in the coastal state or marriage certificate).

• Documents of relatives living in Israel (identity cards, repatriation information, contact details, etc.).
begins with obtaining a visa that gives the right to work. Approval for its execution is given by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic at the request of the employer. The document is issued for work in the field of a certain type of activity. Employment in a field not specified in the visa is prohibited.

A work visa allows you to stay in the country for 1 year with a subsequent extension of the right to reside. Prolongation is carried out upon application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the presence of an employment contract.

Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in Israel are eligible to subsequently apply for citizenship. The terms and conditions for obtaining it depend on the category of immigrants (repatriates, spouses, naturalized foreigners, etc.). For Russians, granting the status of an Israeli citizen does not require renunciation of their native citizenship. The main thing is to notify the state bodies of the Russian Federation about the acquisition of a second citizenship in due time.