And it shall be when you enter the land Deuteronomy 26:1

A guide to your first steps in Israel

November 2016

A guide for Olim changing status in Israel

Who is this guide for?

This guide is for the first time Oleh who has received Aliyah status through the Interior Ministry 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

What next?

Before you set out, make sure you know where you

are going and that you have everything that you

need. Remember - opening hours are subject to

change!

If your Hebrew is limited you may want to

Take a Hebrew speaking friend

The Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption

Make an appointment at your local Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption branch They’ll issue you with a Teudat Oleh – your Aliyah benefits booklet Update your bank details to receive Sal Klita payments You will be able to get information on Ulpan (Hebrew study) programs and to sign up accordingly. A list of programs nationwide appear on the Jewish Agency for Israel’s website

Medical Insurance

The Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption will issue you with a registration form for medical insurance. At the Postal bank, 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 bank account

Open a Shekel account at a convenient branch. Deposit money into the account. Order cheque books and bank card. Arrange internet banking Make sure that the bank fills in and stamps the appropriate form for the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption

Arranging to receive a shipment

If you’re 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) You should also be in contact with your shipper’s local agent for instructions on their requirements

Teudat Ma’avar / Israeli passport

For 90 days following your Aliyah, you may leave Israel using your foreign passport. After 90 days, you will need Israeli travel documents. In the first year you may apply for a temporary document (“Teudat Ma’avar”). Once you have established residency (lived in Israel for at least a year) you can apply for a full passport In each case apply in person with: 2 passport pictures (not required for biometric passports) Teudat Zehut Money (Teudat Ma’avar or child’s passport – NIS 140, Adult passport – NIS 280) Discount given if forms are filled out and payment made online

relevant addresses3540 *

Driving in Israel

Olim may drive in Israel using a valid foreign license for up to 1 year from date of Aliyah (Olim who held an extended 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 simplified road test within 3 years of their Aliyah date. If the road test is failed twice a theory test will be required

Obtaining a driver’s license

Go to the local photo station to begin the process (list of stations) Arrange an eye test and medical Take the completed form to a regional office* of the licensing authority 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 Regional offices: Jerusalem, Holon, Haifa, Netanya, Beer Sheva – a list of all offices can be found here

Recognition of academic qualifications

Needed if you work in the public sector or if you ever need to collect unemployment benefit Submit 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

ffice of the Ministry of Aliyah and 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 www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/ Driving Licenses www.mot.gov.il *5678 Army www.aka.idf.il/main/giyusigrant : ID card (“Teudat Zehut”) Aliyah benefits booklet (“Teudat Oleh”) Initial installment of your Sal Klita financial assistance in cash You will also be able to register for medical insurance

Glossary of terms

Teudat Zehut Identity card Teudat Oleh Oleh benefits booklet Teudat Ma’avar Temporary passport Ulpan Hebrew classes Sal Klita Financial assistance paid in the 6 months following Aliyah Misrad Hapnim Interior Ministry (responsible for issuing Teudat Zehut, Teudat Ma’avar, Passports, changing addresses etc Misrad Haklita Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption – responsible for most Aliyah benefits Bituach Leumi The National Insurance - responsible for welfare payments, pensions, child benefit, unemployment Kupat Cholim Health Insurance fund office Aliyah benefits booklet (“Teudat Oleh”) Initial installment of your Sal Klita financial assistance in cash You will also be able to register for medical insurance

www.jewishagency.org/aliyah Global Aliyah Center – toll free 1-800-228-055 Sunday – Thursday 8:00 – 22:00