Single Elderly Parent
The State of Israel allows single elderly individuals — parents of Israeli citizens who are not eligible for repatriation under the Law of Return — to reunite with their families and obtain permanent residency in Israel.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REUNITE WITH FAMILY AS A SINGLE ELDERLY PARENT?
All three conditions must be met.

How to Legalize a Single Elderly Parent in Israel?
If the person initiating the process is an Israeli citizen and their elderly parent meets the required criteria, they may apply to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to legalize the status of the parent. The parent may enter Israel either by formal invitation issued through the MOI, with the intention of beginning the reunification process, or as a regular tourist. After entering the country, they can approach the MOI to open a reunification case.
Since the process can be complex and highly case-dependent, it is strongly recommended to consult an immigration lawyer familiar with Israeli immigration procedures.

Which Parent Is Considered Single?
A single parent is defined as someone who is unmarried or widowed and has no children residing in their country of origin or in other countries.
If the parent does have other children but is not in contact with them, or if those children are unable to provide care due to various circumstances, it may still be possible to obtain a humanitarian visa and legal status for the parent — with the help of an immigration lawyer.

What Obstacles Can Be Encountered?
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Israel frequently denies applications to legalize parents. The reasons can vary and may include arbitrary demands by officials for documents that are difficult or even impossible to obtain.
An immigration lawyer experienced in such matters can help navigate these challenges and assist families in asserting their right to legalize the status of a single elderly parent in Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get permanent residency in Israel if I'm a parent of an Israeli citizen?
Yes, if you are a single parent of an Israeli citizen. However, there are additional mandatory requirements: you must have reached retirement age and have no other children living outside of Israel.
What are the requirements for granting residency to a single parent in Israel?
The parent must be single — that is, not legally married. If the parent has other children living outside the State of Israel, the legalization process may not be possible, at least within the framework of the current Ministry of Interior procedure. A clean criminal record is also required.
What is a humanitarian visa in Israel and can it be issued to a single parent?
The term “humanitarian visa” is somewhat inaccurate. The visa itself — whether tourist, work, or residency — may be issued based on humanitarian grounds, but it is not a separate visa category.
A humanitarian process may be initiated when the applicant does not meet the standard requirements outlined by the Ministry of Interior. In such cases, if there are exceptional personal circumstances, it may be possible to apply for legal status on humanitarian grounds.
For example, this option may apply to parents who have other children outside of Israel, but those children are unable to care for them due to objective reasons.
How can I relocate an elderly parent to Israel?
The process depends on several factors: whether the parent is currently in Israel or abroad, their legal status, and whether they have previously applied for legalization. In some cases, the Ministry of Interior may require the parent to leave Israel before the process can begin.
An immigration lawyer can help assess your chances and outline the appropriate steps during a case-specific consultation.
What status does a parent receive in Israel, and do they obtain citizenship?
The steps of the family reunification process with a single elderly parent in Israel depend directly on the parent’s age at the time the process begins. The procedure does not provide for the parent to receive citizenship. At its conclusion, the parent may be eligible for permanent residency.
For a detailed breakdown by age, please refer to our article — currently available in Russian.
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The office provides legal services in the field of immigration, family, commercial and labor law, conducts real estate transactions, develops individual solutions for businesses and individuals, and provides legal support to Israeli and international companies. Our lawyers regularly participate in the work of specialized commissions at the Chamber of Lawyers of Israel and the Knesset, create judicial precedents, improve regulatory mechanisms in various areas of law, provide advisory assistance to official representative offices of foreign states and significant public organizations located in Israel and abroad.