On July 10, 2023, an updated instruction from the Ministry of Internal Affairs was released, which defined the conditions under which new repatriates receive a passport, depending on when they arrived and how long they have lived in Israel.
For up to one year from the date of repatriation – a citizen has the right to issue only a laissez-passer (teudat maavar) for 5 years. It is impossible to obtain a darkon (passport) in the first year from the date of repatriation. It is important to note that you can apply for a darkon no earlier than the 366th day from the date of Aliyah, even if you did not travel outside the country in the first year of life in the Country.
More than one year, but less than 5 years since repatriation:
If a citizen has lived in Israel for 75% of the time, they are entitled to a 5-year darkon.
If a citizen has lived in Israel for less than 75% of the time, they will receive a 5-year teudat maavar.
More than 5 years have passed since the Aliyah:
If a citizen has lived in Israel for a total of 3 full years out of 5 years (36 full months or more), they can apply for a 10-year darkon,
If not – they are entitled to a teudat maavar for 5 years. Suppose such a citizen repatriated in the 90s, left the country after living for 3 out of 5 years, and came back after 20 years for a passport, then they are entitled to a 10-year darkon.
And there is a special case, in which it is possible to issue a darkon for 1 year. If a citizen repatriated more than 1 year ago and finally moved their life center to Israel, living a full year in the Country without leaving (no vacations, etc.), they can apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a darkon for 1 year (no earlier than 366 days from the date of entry for permanent residence). By the time the one-year passport expires, to apply for a 5-year darkon, it will be necessary to prove that the citizen still intends to continue living in Israel.
Let’s add a couple of words about those not mentioned in the instruction. If an Israeli citizen was born abroad, such a citizen has the right to issue a darkon. If a citizen was born in Israel, they are entitled to a darkon, regardless of where their life center will be in the future.
In such cases for minors, the passport is usually issued for 5 years, thereafter – for 10 years. The first darkon – for 5 years. When issuing a document outside of Israel, its validity may be shorter and the darkon will not be biometric.