Repatriation to Israel Automatic translate

Repatriation to Israel, known as aliyah, has become the subject of extensive public discussion and political debate.

The Israeli Consulate in Moscow occupies a central place in this process. The diplomatic mission, located at 56 Bolshaya Ordynka, has become a key point for implementing the state’s repatriation policy. It is here that the initial assessment of potential repatriates’ documents takes place and the decisive interviews that determine the fate of thousands of families are held.

Legal basis for repatriation

The modern repatriation system is based on the fundamental Law of Return, adopted in 1950. This document defines the circle of persons entitled to receive Israeli citizenship under a simplified procedure. According to the law, Jews by origin, their children and grandchildren up to the third generation, as well as spouses of the specified categories of persons can apply for repatriate status.

The criteria for Jewish origin are strictly regulated: a person born to a Jewish mother or who converted to Judaism through the process of giyur is considered a Jew. An important condition is the absence of affiliation with other religious denominations.

Structure and functioning of the consulate

Organizational structure of the diplomatic mission

The Israeli Embassy in Russia functions as a multidisciplinary structure, including several specialized departments. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary is Simona Galperin, an experienced diplomat who was born in Riga and repatriated to Israel as a child.

The structure of the embassy includes a political department, a trade and economic department, a press service, a cultural department, a military attaché office and other departments. A special place is occupied by the repatriation department, which operates under the auspices of the Nativ organization and is directly responsible for the implementation of the return program.

Functions of the Repatriation Department

The Repatriation Department of the Israeli Consulate in Moscow performs a range of specialized functions aimed at ensuring the Aliyah process. The main tasks of the department are to review applications from Russian citizens for Israeli citizenship, conduct consular checks, and issue repatriate visas.

The procedure begins with the submission of an online application form, “Repatriate Visa Application,” via a dedicated portal. After reviewing the documents, department staff contacts candidates to schedule an interview. The entire process is strictly regulated and requires the personal presence of all family members planning to repatriate.

The working hours of the repatriation department are adapted to the needs of applicants: Monday through Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, Fridays from 09:00 to 15:00. Reception is carried out exclusively by appointment, which allows us to optimize the work process and ensure high-quality service for each candidate.

Procedural aspects of repatriation

Documentation of the process

Successful repatriation is impossible without careful preparation of the documentary base. The list of necessary documents is extensive and includes both the applicant’s personal documents and documents confirming Jewish origin.

The main documents include foreign and domestic passports with a remaining validity of at least six months, color photographs measuring 3x4 cm for each family member, birth certificates of all generations of ancestors. Particular attention is paid to documents that directly indicate the nationality of ancestors: Soviet-style passports, work books, military IDs.

Since 2019, there has been a requirement to apostille documents issued after December 31, 1997. This applies to birth, marriage, divorce, death certificates, as well as certificates of no criminal record. This measure is aimed at preventing the use of forged documents and increasing the reliability of the information provided.

Consular verification and its features

The consular interview is the culmination of the repatriation process. A representative of the Israeli diplomatic mission conducts a detailed interview with candidates, assessing not only documentary evidence of Jewish origin, but also motivation, plans for the future, and sincerity of intentions.

Consuls have considerable decision-making powers. They can request additional documents, schedule a second interview, or issue a final refusal in case of non-compliance with legal requirements. Particular attention is paid to questions of religious affiliation, since conversion to another faith automatically deprives the right to repatriation.

Modern challenges and transformations

Changes in the repatriation procedure

The repatriation process has undergone significant changes in recent years. In February 2022, Israel launched an emergency repatriation program for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. This initiative allowed them to bypass the consular check stage in the country of origin and undergo all procedures directly in Israel.

However, already in April 2023, the emergency repatriation program was curtailed for Russians and Belarusians. The official reason was the increase in the number of repatriates and the need to pay more attention to new citizens who had already arrived in the country. The exception remained only for special humanitarian cases.

Tightening of requirements and procedures

There is now a noticeable tightening of requirements for potential repatriates. Consular checks have become more thorough, and control over the authenticity of the documents provided has been strengthened. This is due to concerns of the Israeli authorities regarding the motivation of some candidates who are suspected of wanting only to obtain a passport, and not to actually move to the country.

Special changes affected the procedure for issuing Israeli passports. New repatriates in the first year after aliyah can only receive a Lösse-Passe - a limited travel document that provides visa-free access to 61 countries instead of 161. A full Darkon is issued only on condition of living in Israel for at least 60% of the time from the date of repatriation.

Problems with the functioning of the system

The repatriation system faces a number of serious challenges. Long queues for consular checks reach 9-12 months of waiting. This creates significant inconvenience for candidates and prevents the timely implementation of their plans.

The activities of the Jewish Agency "Sokhnut" in Russia are particularly difficult. Since the summer of 2022, the organization has effectively ceased operations in the country due to claims from the Russian Ministry of Justice. The functions of "Sokhnut" were taken over by the agency "Marom", but a full-fledged replacement turned out to be problematic.

Social programs and support for repatriates

State absorption system

Israel is developing a comprehensive system of support for new immigrants through the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. New citizens receive extensive financial assistance, known as the “absorption basket” (sal kita). The amount of the payments depends on the composition of the family and the age of the immigrants, ranging from $5,700 to $10,800.

In addition to direct cash payments, repatriates enjoy tax benefits, including a ten-year exemption from income tax on foreign income. Free health insurance for the first six months, municipal tax breaks, and rental subsidies are provided.

Educational programs

Particular attention is paid to the linguistic and cultural adaptation of repatriates. The state provides free Hebrew courses in ulpans, professional retraining programs, and assistance in recognizing foreign diplomas. The timeframes for recognizing higher education have been significantly reduced — applications can be submitted even before moving.

There are specialized programs for young people: SELA-MIR for preparation for admission to Israeli universities, MASA for studying Jewish culture, various internship and volunteer projects. These initiatives are aimed at deep integration of young repatriates into Israeli society.

Typical problems and errors

Common reasons for failures

An analysis of the practice of consular checks reveals several main reasons for refusals of repatriation. Insufficient documentary evidence of Jewish origin remains the most common problem. Many candidates cannot provide convincing documents directly indicating the nationality of their ancestors.

Questions of religious affiliation also pose serious difficulties. Voluntary conversion to another faith automatically disqualifies one from repatriation under the Law of Return. At the same time, consuls carefully check the religious beliefs of candidates, identifying attempts to hide affiliation with non-Jewish faiths.

Procedural errors of candidates

Experience shows that many failures are related to procedural errors of the candidates themselves. Submitting copies instead of original documents, insufficient knowledge of the contents of one’s own documents, unpreparedness for the consul’s questions - all this can lead to a negative decision.

Attempts to deceive or provide false information are especially dangerous. Consuls are highly qualified in psychology and can easily detect lies. Any attempt to mislead is almost guaranteed to result in a refusal and may close the possibility of re-applying.

Technological innovations

The repatriation system is gradually adapting to the digital era. Online submission of documents through the Go-No-Go system allows for a preliminary assessment without a personal visit to the consulate. This is especially relevant in the context of limited capacity at diplomatic missions.

Electronic questionnaires and remote consultations are becoming part of the process. However, the final interview still requires the personal presence of all family members, which highlights the importance of the human factor in making such significant decisions.