- Birth
- Descent
- Naturalization
- Honorary Citizenship
- Special Naturalization
Citizenship by Birth:
- At least one parent must be an Israeli citizen when the child is born.
- Regardless of the place of birth, the child is automatically recognized as an Israeli citizen.
Citizenship by Descent:
- At least one parent is an Israeli citizen when the child is born,
- The child is born outside of Israel, but the parent who is an Israeli citizen has an Israeli passport or an Israeli identity card.
- Both parents were Israeli citizens at the time of the child’s birth, even if neither of the parents has a passport or an identity card.
- The child was an Israeli citizen by birth but lost it, and regained it through the “Law of Return”.
Naturalization through Aliyah (Immigration):
- “Oleh Chadash” (new immigrant)- a person who immigrates to Israel from a foreign country and intends to settle in Israel permanently.
- To be recognized as an “Oleh Chadash”, the person must receive a “Visa for Aliyah” from an Israeli diplomatic or consular mission abroad, or to make “Aliyah” independently.
- After “Aliyah” in Israel, and after three years of continuous residence, the person is eligible to apply for an Israeli passport or an Israeli identity card (Teudat Zehut) under the “Nationality Law”.
Special Naturalization
- Applies only to spouses and children of Israeli citizens.
- No residency period required.
- Spouses - no waiting period.
- Children - must have lived in Israel for at least one of the two years preceding the request for citizenship, or are under 18 and their parent became a citizen in the years preceding the child's request or lived with an Israeli citizen parent continuously from birth.
Honorary Citizenship
- Given only on the approval of the Prime Minister.
- Given for a humanitarian or a special purpose.
- Only a very small number of people have been granted honorary citizenship.
