Significant changes have occurred in the rules for legalizing a foreign spouse. Read our article to find out how the provisions now sound different.
As of July 16, 2023, any couple, regardless of religion, gender, nationality, and sexual orientation, can get married without leaving Israel, via Zoom in the state of Utah. Such a marriage is recognized as sufficient to begin the family reunification process under Stupro and to change the status to ‘married’ for an Israeli citizen! Until now, the Israeli Ministry of Interior only granted ‘cohabiting’ status to those who married online in Utah. This meant that the foreign spouse could not claim citizenship, and the children of such a spouse could not be legalized.
It should be noted that marriages concluded in the Republic of El Salvador still only allow for the opening of a cohabitation procedure.
If a couple is in Israel and plans to leave for the purpose of getting married abroad, the Israeli must apply to the Ministry of Interior for an ‘intervisa’ for the foreign partner, provided that the future foreign spouse is in Israel legally. This will ensure the newlyweds’ safe return.
Attention to Israelis living abroad:
* An Israeli who lives with their family abroad and DOES NOT PLAN to move to Israel, but would like to visit Israel with their spouse as tourists (for up to 90 days), must settle this matter at the Israeli consulate, including countries with visa-free and facilitated visa regimes.
* If such a family PLANS to relocate their life center to Israel, preliminary permission from the Ministry of Interior is required.
However, a temporary order (valid until August 31, 2023, which has the potential to be extended for citizens of Ukraine) is still in effect, according to which there are concessions for citizens of Ukraine and the Russian Federation: If such a marriage was not registered in the Israeli registry, applicants will be able to present official documents of marriage at the border. If the border service staff approves the presented evidence, the foreign spouse and children will be allowed entry into Israel. However, a bank guarantee will be a condition of such entry. The amount of the deposit will be set on the spot at the airport. Experience shows that the amount is no less than 15,000 shekels. The Ministry of Interior also has the right to demand a deposit at its discretion at any time during the process (over several years).
Please note that obtaining permission to enter for a foreign spouse does not constitute permission to open the process.
You can find the instructions here
We wish everyone love, good luck in the processes, patience, and understanding! Support each other, and we will support you.
For consultation and management of the legalization process of a loved one in Israel, contact us via WhatsApp numbers: +972587781211, +972587577222