Returning Residents' First Steps

Returning Residents' First Steps

Upon your return to Israel it is necessary to contact the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption by telephone and to make an appointment with a documentation and eligibility advisor.

During this meeting you will be given authorization of returning resident status (teudat/ ishur toshav chozer). Be sure to bring your identity card (te’udat zehut) and all passports to this meeting, as well as those of all family members accompanying you to Israel. Both spouses should be at this meeting, and it is recommended to update your identity card in advance.

All financial assistance for which you are eligible from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption is deposited directly into your and your spouse’s joint bank account. It is recommended to bring certification of the details of your Israeli bank account to the meeting.

Upon submission of your bank account details, both spouses will be requested to sign a request form to have assistance payments deposited into the account.

You can have your bank sign on a form for opening an account which is available from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, or to bring a photocopy of a check with the bank details listed on it.

A single parent that returns to Israel with minor-aged children is obligated to present authorization from the parent remaining overseas that they permit the children to live in Israel with the returning parent. The authorization should be certified by the Israeli consulate overseas. In the absence of such certification it is possible to present divorce agreements or court documents authorizing custody of the children.

A returning resident that requests assistance in the form of assured income payments should report to the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption as soon as possible since these payments are contingent upon registering with the Ministry as “looking for work.”

A returning resident can be received at any branch or district office of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, regardless of the address listed in their identity card.

However, it is recommended to consult with the office closest to your place of residence, where you will be able to receive ongoing advice and guidance from a personal absorption counselor (you will also be able to choose a permanent counselor).

Telephone Information Center: (03) 9733333

Telephone Numbers and Addresses of Service Bureaus

National Health Insurance

Returning residents that begin to make “redemption” payments against the waiting period for national health insurance to the National Insurance Institute between 1/11/2007 – 30/12/2008, and who return to Israel beginning 1/11/2007 and no later than 31/8/2009, can be eligible to receive, only at the end of payment period, a refund of their payments from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Note: the refund is for the “redemption” payments only, and not for any other debts to the National Insurance Institute.

In order to arrange health insurance, contact the collections department of the National Insurance Institute. You can download a questionnaire from the National Insurance Institute Website for determining returning residency (form 628). This is a 4 page questionnaire which must be submitted when arranging your health insurance.

Families with children under the age of 18 are advised to submit a claim for child allowances to the National Insurance Institute. Claims forms can be downloaded from the National Insurance Institute Website

The National Insurance Institute Information Center: *6050 or 1-222-6050;
Website: www.btl.gov.il