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The supreme court case in Israel of Stamka v Minister of the Interior (1999) (English, Hebrew) decided the immigration process for non-Jewish spouses of Israeli Citizens. The conclusion was that there should be a higher level of investigation for these spouses attempting to immigrate to Israel in order to legitimize the marriage. This appears in … Continue reading Inter-marriages and immigration to Israel

  With the four central visa departments in Israel closed to issue passports, people are scrambling to get the documentation they have waited a long time for. While having a passport is an important human right to freedom of movement, having the ability to obtain and upgrade visas is also equally important. After Covid-19, getting/renewing … Continue reading Four largest visa departments in Israel closed for only passport services

German Jews were once the most successful and influential Jewish community in Europe. This changed drastically with the Nazi takeover of Germany. Nowadays, one of the ways that Germany is working to compensate for persecution of the Jewish community is by providing naturalization opportunities for those whose ancestors were affected by it. There are numerous … Continue reading German Jews’ Descendants Can Reclaim Their Citizenship!

Are you an Israeli citizen returning to Israel after a long absence? You can access several benefits on your return, just as if you were a new immigrant! Our law offices offer expertise in understanding what these perks are and how best to obtain them. We recently published an article detailing the process for achieving … Continue reading Returning resident to Israel

If you’re an American citizen looking for greater liberty to traverse borders and a secure buffer of protection, acquiring a secondary European Passport is the optimal solution. The USA being one of the countries that allow dual citizenship grants countless Americans with this coveted opportunity. With today’s uncertain and tumultuous times, having another passport can … Continue reading European Passport for Americans

Can a Fourth-Generation Descendant of a Jew Relocate to Israel Under the Law of Return? Established in 1950, the Law of Return essentially grants every Jew — as well as their children and grandchildren (and spouses) — the right to immigration and citizenship in Israel. However, generally speaking, a great-grandchild of a Jew is ineligible … Continue reading Aliyah to Israel for Great-Grandchildren of Jews

  As part of the recent plans of the Israeli government to reform the legal system, also the role of the State Attorney Genral is being questioned. Who is the current woman holding this positin and what’s the significance of Israel’s offical government lawyer? Understanding the legal system of a country is a complex matter … Continue reading Inside Israel’s Legal System: The Role of the Attorney General and the Legal Counsel of government offices

Millions of grandchildren of Jews in the world, many who identify as Jews and supporters of Israel, may lose the right to make Aliyah – immigrate to Israel, based on the Law of Return. In addition, the danger is that the rift between Israel and the Diaspora Jews will deepen even more.    For more … Continue reading Canceling the grandson clause in the Law of Return will weaken the Jewish people opinion

Nowadays many things are being commented about the changes on the Supreme Court of Israel that Benjamin Netanyahu’s Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, plans to make. However, to be able to understand what to expect, we need to talk a little bit about its history. First of all, the Supreme Court of Israel has an … Continue reading THE RECENT CHANGES EXPECTED FOR THE ISRAELI SUPREME COURT

Do foreigners who immigrate to the land pay taxes in Israel? Many are unaware of that fact that after concluding the Aliyah procedure, new immigrants are exempt from paying taxes on all income and capital gains derived out of the country. This article presents a detailed explanation on Aliyah tax benefits by attorney Joshua Pex, … Continue reading Aliyah tax benefits for new immigrants and returning residents

Same-sex relationships are strictly forbidden in Nigeria: in some parts of the country, homosexuals are even in danger of death. Despite this, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior rejected an asylum application submitted by a Nigerian homosexual.    Being caught by your wife when you are in the company of your lover is never pleasant. However, … Continue reading Asylum in Israel due to persecution for sexual orientation in homeland

Benjamin (Israeli) and Camila (Colombian) met online and fell in love, but the Ministry of the interior, immigration department, would not allow her to enter Israel as the foreign partner of an Israeli. However, with our legal assistance, after a long legal battle, the Immigration Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the couple. Here … Continue reading One man’s legal struggle to obtain an entry permit to Israel for his spouse from abroad

  The Immigration Authority in countries around the world usually carefully check the financial capacity of the local spouse before they allow him or her to invite a foreign spouse for the purpose of starting a family. However, in Israel this is not the case and the immigration law and official procedures hardly address this … Continue reading Inviting a foreign spouse to Israel: Will the financial capacity of the Israeli partner be tested?

  Addisu Tesfa from Bat-Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv, claims that his requests for family reunification have been repeatedly rejected by the Israeli Immigration department. Why was his application refused? Only because of his Ethiopian origin. Therefore, his wife and daughter are left back in their country of origin, without him. The Immigration Department … Continue reading My wife and daughter are not allowed to join me in Israel because I am black

Why did the Ministry of Interior, Misrad Hapnim immigration department, refuse to grant legal status in Israel for the parents of an Israeli soldier in active duty with the Israeli Defense Forces? How was the case resolved? The State of Israel values its soldiers; therefore parents of an IDF solider are given an exceptional possibility … Continue reading Legal status in Israel for the parents of an IDF solider

The Israeli Interior Ministry, immigration office, opposed the request for Aliyah and Israeli citizenship of a couple in their 80s due to suspicion of forging documents that showed that the husband’s mother was Jewish. However, the District Court accepted their petition in a detailed ruling that granted them Aliyah to Israel.   The case facts - … Continue reading Senior citizens defeated the Ministry of Interior and were recognized as New Immigrants to Israel

Mixed couples, in which one is Israeli and the other a foreign citizen, dreaming of living in Israel, commonly encounter many difficulties. In order to overcome these obstacles, it is important to put forth a planned strategy, as well as consult an attorney who specializes in the field of immigration to Israel.   Many say, … Continue reading Why is it so difficult to live in Israel with a non-Israeli Spouse?

  Israel Laws and Citizenship  Israel is both a Jewish and Democratic state who gives a clear priority to the immigration of Jewish individuals to Israel. The Law of Return has made it difficult for those that do not fit the requirements to permanently remain in Israel and obtain citizen status.  The Citizenship Law of … Continue reading Entering Israel with a Criminal Record

Misguided Legal Advice that is Intended to Make Things Easier for the Client can lead to Bad Results. The family reunification process is considered a complicated procedure that requires patience, perseverance and willpower, in order to withstand the bureaucratic struggle against the authorities, who do not encourage marriage between Israeli citizens and foreigners. In the … Continue reading Wrong legal advice leads to Refusal of Entry Into Israel of a Foreign Spouse In the Seventh Month of Pregnancy

In Israel, there is a wide range of visas that allow you to stay, work, study, volunteer or reside for the long term in the country. Each visa type provides different advantages and has its own specific procedure of acquisition. Our law firm specializes in immigration and entry visas to Israel, as well as Israeli … Continue reading Power Ranking of All Types of Visas

Case Summary: Juliette Beirthrian v. Path of the Liaison Office This Supreme Court case, in its most simplistic terms, concerns the legal obligations of the state of Israel to explain their decisions. In the field of immigration, this means that Aliyah applicants who are rejected must receive a written justification for their denial. The Facts … Continue reading Supreme Court Ruling: Israel’s Immigration Office Obligation to Explain Decisions

The United States and Israel both share a democratic form of government, as well as the concepts of judicial review and an elected legislative body. However, the supreme law of the land, otherwise known as the Constitution, is drastically different in these two countries. For example, America’s Constitution is written and can only be changed … Continue reading Constitutional Law: America’s Document, Israel’s Building Blocks

This landmark Supreme Court case, decided on March 25, 2020, concerns the foundational principles of Balance of Power as well as Checks and Balances among the branches of government in a democratic state. Key Concepts: Balance of Power, Checks and Balances The concept of “balance of power” enforces the idea that the power of the … Continue reading Case Summary: The Movement for Quality Government in Israel v. The Speaker of the Knesset

In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, an Israeli couple, one Jewish and one non-religious, wanted to marry. Because all marriages in Israel must be officiated through a religious court, the only way to have a civil marriage in Israel is to be married abroad in a country that allows civil marriages for foreigners. In … Continue reading Supreme Court Recognizes Civil Marriage Performed Online

This article will briefly describe specific procedures that are typically involved in the process of a joint-life application between an Israeli and non-Israeli citizen General Procedure – Marriage of Joint life between an Israel and foreigner After marrying an Israel citizen, it is quite common for the foreigner to request a visa application for legal … Continue reading Checking the Sincerity of a Relationship during the Israeli Immigration Process of Joint-Life Application for Foreign Partner

Does Israel Have an Immigration Policy?  Practicing immigration law to Israel for more than 10 years, I sometimes get asked or hear the saying “Israel has not immigration policy!”. Is this true? The answer to this question is complicated, as it is both yes and no. It is a common misconception that the Israeli government … Continue reading Everything You Need To Know About Israel’s Immigration Policy

Who Looks Out for the Israeli People?    The Israeli Ombudsman (also known as the State Comptroller) works to protect Israeli citizens and residents from unlawful decisions that the governmental and administrative authorities may make. The Ombudsman receives and investigates complaints submitted by individuals against Israeli public authorities. If it is found that there is … Continue reading Complaints About the Israeli Immigration Authority

This article will briefly explain the purpose of the administrative petition that was presented to the Population and Immigration Authority at the Jerusalem District Court in regards to ensuring civil rights while submitting applications for the regulation of status of spouses in Israel in general online. Procedure for an Israeli Marriage Visa The Israeli Citizenship … Continue reading Association for Civil Rights in Israel V. Population and Immigration Authority – Jerusalem District Administrative Court

Shlomi Tesfeh’s Story  Shlomi Tesfeh (name changed for privacy reasons) was born in the state of Ethiopia on July 15, 1982. At the time of Tesfeh’s birth there wasn’t a population register in Ethiopia with registration of one’s birth details. Additionally, the Ethiopian state did not issue birth certificates at the time when Tesfeh was … Continue reading Should one be Punished for their Birthplace’s Lack of a Population Registry?

In this article, you will read about the general legal issues faced by residents of East Jerusalem and one specific success story. There are many difficulties faced while residents of East Jerusalem apply for Israeli citizenship, but with the help of our law firm, a smooth and successful process is ensured. This article discusses the … Continue reading East Jerusalem Residency to Israeli Citizenship Process

Iranian Journalist Denied Asylum in Israel  Israel’s Refugee Policies    The Israeli border control officials have the authority to deny visitors entrance into Israel according to the Law of Entrance to Israel and the Ministry of Interior’s rules and regulations. Their decision to refuse someone’s entry into Israel is subject to review by the court … Continue reading Iranian Journalist Denied Asylum in Israel

Background This case is about an individual, Marloes, a young Dutch university student in Jerusalem who loves Israel and therefore wanted to gain legal status here. Being a 4th generation descendent of a Righteous Among the Nations (a non-Jewish person who saved Jews during the 2nd world war) she didn’t meet the exact criteria of … Continue reading Holocaust Survivor Helps his Dutch Rescuer’s Great-Grandaughter Obtain Legal Status in Israel Years Later

Background - Ukraninans escaping the war in their country  Due to the outbreak of war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, many Ukranians have been attempting to seek asylum in Israel. More than 20,000 Ukrainian citizens have arrived in Israel to escape their war torn country. More than 4.2 million other Ukranians who were seeking … Continue reading Ukrainian Refugees Seeking Asylum in Israel Due to the Ukrainian War

Background A few years ago, a woman came to our firm with a very unusual case of attempting to gain Israeli citizenship for humanitarian reasons. In this case, a Filipino woman (our client) fell in love with an Israeli, they got married outside of Israel and had a child together. This baby boy was registered … Continue reading Could your child’s service in the IDF be your ticket to Israeli citizenship?

Should Talented Athletes be Granted Israeli Citizenship in order to Help Advance their Career while Strengthening the Country’s National Team? Background  In the past, there have been many high profile athletes who have played for Israel. Miguel Vitor is an extremely talented Portuguese soccer player who is seeking Israeli citizenship. With being granted citizenship Vitor … Continue reading Israeli Citizenship For Talented Athletes

Moving story of NBA star with a strong passion for the Jewish Religion and hopes of making Aliyah  Early Life Amar’e Soudemire was born in a small city right outside of Orlando, Florida. After a series of family misfortunes, Amar’e relocated to New York, where he began playing organized basketball. After traveling around the east … Continue reading Amar’e Stoudemire – Moving story of NBA star with a strong passion for the Jewish Religion and hopes of making Aliyah 

Introduction Lonah Chemtai Korlima is an Israeli Olympic marathon runner who is originally from Kenya. She came to Israel in 2008 to work as a nanny for the children of Kenya’s ambassador to Israel. Shortly after in 2011, Chemtai met and fell in love with Israeli track coach, Dan Salpeter. They got married in 2014 … Continue reading Sports as a Means to Citizenship

Introduction Since 2011 we have been working very hard on a unique case that just got resolved two weeks ago, June 2022. In this exceptional case, a Russian man falsified information on his birth certificate in order to obtain Israeli citizenship and initially got away with it. While we do not condone this sort of … Continue reading Can Israeli citizenship be revoked after nearly 3 decades?

How to arrange Israeli citizenship for your partner’s kids. Attorney Joshua Pax explains.

Aliyah applicants with mental illness may have their Aliyah denied due to claims regarding “public safety.”

This article discusses the questions and legalities of making Aliyah with a criminal record.

Significant age gaps between spouses can be a serious problem for obtaining Israeli citizenship for your foreign spouse.

In this article, attorney Joshua Pex will share his top 5 tips for the successful immigration of your foreign spouses to Israel.

This article discusses the post-Giyur Aliyah process and the requirements you should meet for a successful Aliyah.

How to get your foreign worker’s visa application approved with minimum hassle and full compliance.

Do you qualify under Law of Return but your Aliyah was not approved? Here’s what you need to do in case of Aliyah application rejection

Preparing to make aliyah to israel? here’s A guide to oleh hadash benefits in Israel. Everything you need to know before & after making Aliya is here.

Israelis that renounced their citizenship or spent a long time outside of Israel may need to re-immigrate to Israel.