Family reunification in Israel

Marriage to an Israeli citizen alone does not grant rights to citizenship for a non-Jewish spouse. To legalize the status of the partner, the family must undergo a challenging step-by-step process: applicants must prove to the Israeli Ministry of Interior that the marriage is genuine. Only after five years of marriage the foreign spouse can apply for Israeli citizenship.

Легализация супруга в Израиле

Main factors affecting step-by-step procedure

1
Is the marriage officially registered?
2
What is the foreigner's marital status in the country of origin?
3
What is the Israeli's marital status in the Israeli Ministry of Interior?
4
Has the foreign spouse or Israeli previously applied for a similar process?
5
Is the foreign spouse in Israel, and if so, what is their status?
6
Do the spouses live together, and for how long?
7
Is there a significant age difference between the spouses?
8
Do they have joint children or children from previous marriages?
Брак с гражданином Израиля

Naturalization of a foreign spouse. How to start process correctly?

From the perspective of the Israeli Ministry of Interior, to initiate the family reunification process, the foreign spouse must obtain special permission to enter Israel. Attempting to enter under the guise of a regular tourist is not advisable. This could result in refusal of entry, immigration detention, and a ban on visiting Israel for the next 5-10 years. To avoid this, the Israeli spouse must apply to the Israeli Ministry of Interior for permission for the foreign spouse to enter with the purpose of family reunification. Alternatively, if the spouses reside together outside the country and plan to return together, the process must be initiated through the Israeli consulate abroad. To ensure everything is done correctly and to avoid serious consequences, consulting with an immigration lawyer is advisable.

 

СТУПРО

What else is important to know about step-by-step procedure?

Before entering Israel for family reunification, the foreign spouse must gather a package of necessary documents. The list of required documents is available on the website of the Israeli Ministry of Interior. However, in practice, the Ministry may request additional documents not mentioned in the list. It is always advisable to consult with a specialist to find out what additional paperwork may be required in a specific case, how to properly prepare them, where to certify translations into Hebrew, and which exact documents are needed.

If the process goes smoothly, the timeline from opening a case with the Ministry of Interior to obtaining citizenship is approximately 4-5 years for officially married couples and around 7 years to obtain permanent residency for couples in a civil partnership. Couples in a civil partnership can also apply for citizenship for the foreign spouse, but there may be additional conditions involved.

Step-by-step procedure for married couples

1
Document collection
2
Obtaining an entry permit for the foreign spouse
3
Entry into Israel and applying to the Ministry of Interior
4
Acceptance of documents and opening of a case in the Ministry of Interior. Obtaining a B1 visa.
5
Filling out and sending documents for Nativ
6
Interview at Nativ
7
Separate interviews with spouses in the Ministry of Interior. Obtaining an A5 visa. Subsequently — annually for 4 years
8
Permanent residency, application for Israeli citizenship

Step-by-step procedure for civil partners

1
Document collection
2
Obtaining an entry permit for the foreign spouse
3
Entry into Israel and application to the Ministry of Interior
4
Acceptance of documents and opening of a case in the Ministry of Interior
5
Filling out and sending documents for Nativ
6
Interview at Nativ
7
Separate interviews with spouses in the Ministry of Interior. Obtaining a B1 visa.
8
Interview in the Ministry of Interior. Obtaining an A5 visa. Subsequently — annually
9
Permanent residency
воссоединение семьи

Why do you need a lawyer for step-by-step procedure?

It’s important to understand that even a 100% compliance with all instructions and procedures does not guarantee smooth and unhindered naturalization. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Israel may refuse to legalize a foreign spouse at any stage of step-by-step process based on the slightest suspicion of insincerity on the part of the spouses. Timely consultation with a lawyer to handle the case can help avoid the need to challenge the decisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in court.

WORKING WITH US

Thorough preparation of the document package for submission
Opening a case in the Israeli Ministry of Interior
Preparation for interviews at the Ministry of Interior and Nativ
Processing of B1 visa (work visa)
Processing and renewal of A5 visa (residency)
Accompaniment by an expert lawyer in legalization
Complete confidentiality
Handling refusals and complex cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is step-by-step procedure?

Step-by-step procedure is a process that allows spouses to reunite and legalize their marriage in Israel. This process involves the spouse obtaining a B1 visa (work visa), followed by an A5 visa (temporary residency), and then obtaining permanent residency or citizenship. The process begins with filing an application to open a case at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Israel. This is an important step that requires document collection and legal support.

How to obtain Israeli citizenship through marriage?

Obtaining Israeli citizenship through marriage is possible in two ways:

  1. Joint repatriation – if the couple married before repatriation under the Law of Return.
  2. Family reunification – if the marriage took place after one spouse acquired Israeli citizenship, this would be the step-by-step procedure.

The process begins with the Israeli citizen applying for a change of status at the Ministry of Internal Affairs/Israeli consulate abroad.

Which lawyers specialize in spet-by-step procedure and marriage legalization in Israel?

The lawyer should possess qualifications in immigration law. In our office, several experienced lawyers specialize in family reunification processes through step-by-step procedure for married and civil partners, handle cases of marriage legalization, and assist in the inclusion of children in the process. We have years of experience in providing legal support to families at any stage of the legalization process in Israel.

What are the peculiarities of legalizing same-sex marriages, LGBTQ+ couples in Israel?

Israel recognizes same-sex marriages. LGBTQ+ spouses can repatriate if their marriage was solemnized before the spouse acquired citizenship under the Law of Return. If the marriage occurred after or the couple lives without official registration, such families can possibly legalize their status in Israel and obtain permanent residency or citizenship for the foreign spouse. Each process is individual and involves legal intricacies.

What are the requirements for naturalization in Israel through marriage?

For naturalization in Israel through marriage, it’s necessary to comply with the requirements outlined by the Israeli Ministry of Interior. It will be necessary to confirm that the marriage is not fictitious, that it was not entered into for the purpose of obtaining citizenship, and that the relationship between spouses is genuine. At the next stage, a multitude of documents will be required to demonstrate that the center of the couple’s life interests has shifted to Israel. For the Israeli citizen, a check of their case will also be required at the Nativ Consular Service in Jerusalem.

What documents are necessary to confirm marriage in Israel?

The process of confirming a marriage in Israel is individual. There are general requirements, of course, as well as individual ones. The general requirements include: marriage certificate with an apostille, marital status certificates for both spouses with an apostille, divorce certificates if the applicants were previously married, and translation and notarization of these documents by an Israeli notary. The full list of documents is determined during consultation with a lawyer, as it depends on personal circumstances and whether the couple begins the process in Israel, whether both spouses are in Israel, or if one spouse is abroad.

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About us

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.

Адвокат Алекс Зернопольский
Alex Zernopolsky
Office Owner, Advocate, Human Rights Defender
Анна Мхитарян
Anna Mhitrian
Advocate, Leading Lawyer
Шмуэль Полищук
Shmuel Polyshuk
Head of Repatriation and Investment Department
Irena Rosenberg
Advocate, Manager of Expert Visas department
Nechama Ovadia
Advocate, Manager of Expert Visas department
Эрнест Шварцман
Ernest Shvartsman
Advocate
Юрий Дойч
Yuri Deutsch
Advocate, Notary
Яна Белла Вальдберг
Yana Bella Waldberg
Director of Strategic Communications
Екатерина Сизонова
Kateryna Syzonova
Repatriation Expert
Валерия Давидова
Valeriia Davidova
Administrator

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Reviews

Veronika Visocka

Very professional company with a customer-centric attitude. They helped with a complicated case, all ended up being seamless, though before it took 1.5 years of non-stop back and forth. Our leading lawyer did all the preparations, consultations and paperwork.
Definitely highly recommended!

Олег Барбаков

Oleg Barbakov

I want to thank the team of professionals of Alex Zernopolsky! They helped my son in obtaining Israeli citizenship! The work was done in a timely manner, all obstacles were overcome, and the results were excellent! The staff themselves are responsive, kind people, always ready to help with any request! It’s a pleasure to work with them! Thank you to Alex for the help and to his entire team: Anna, Valeria, and Yana! I wish them health, and I’m confident that they will continue to help people for a long time!

Мири и Сергей

Miri and Sergey

We are a couple who came to lawyer Alex Zernopolsky after numerous rejections from the Ministry of Interior, during the process of obtaining citizenship for my husband. We had faced a very unpleasant experience and were literally shaken by repeated encounters with officials who were insensitive to people’s feelings, and their comments were inappropriate, to put it mildly. After turning to the Ministry of Interior, Alex and lawyer Anna from his office, who were always ready to listen to us and always there for us, my husband finally received citizenship a week ago. This happened thanks to the professional and humane approach of Alex Zernopolsky’s law firm. We are very happy that fate brought us together and we can recommend this office to everyone who wants to feel at home, and the lawyers will take care of your interests. This is the best that exists in today’s market in Israel. Alex delivers on what he promises, one hundred percent.

Victor Vakhshtayn

Victor Vakhshtayn

A lawyer in Israel is not a luxury, but a guide through the bureaucratic hell that is the state apparatus. However, it’s hard to call it an apparatus because none of the circles of hell exchange information with any other, ordinary demons have far more authority than their superiors, and sinners can appeal to the law – earthly or heavenly – as much as they like, but in every district office of hell, there is an ‘internal instruction’ that contradicts each law. (And then another one that contradicts the previous one.) In the end, laws come and go with each government, but the demons stay at their cauldrons for generations. Perhaps this system was invented by the founding fathers themselves to prevent the usurpation of power in the future. Try to build totalitarianism in a country where every street-level bureaucrat is, at heart, an anarcho-syndicalist. Therefore, going to court in Israel is not a challenge to the state, but a normal way to start a dialogue with it. It’s all like at the market: if you don’t bargain, you don’t respect. If you don’t sue, it means you don’t acknowledge. So an Israeli lawyer is always a bit more than just a lawyer. He combines the skills of Virgil, a stalker, a dramatic actor, a social worker, an ethnographer, and a psychotherapist. At least, a good lawyer does. I was incredibly lucky with my lawyer. With Alex Zernopolsky, we not only won the case. I found thirty new research topics – so fascinating was the structure of the Israeli bureaucracy ‘from the inside’. Now we will write in co-authorship.

Maxim Katz

I personally use the services of this law firm, and when someone from our team needs some help, we turn to Zernopolsky. So I am happy to recommend him.
The office of Alex deals with any issues in the field of immigration law in Israel: repatriation, legalization of family members, proof of paternity and kinship through DNA, and any complex cases.

Alexander Kanevsky

I express my immense gratitude to the team at Alex Zernopolsky Law Office and personally to Alexander for helping me with my issues in Israel. Everything was done within the agreed time frame and at a high professional level. In every matter, I felt careful guidance, foresight, and human participation. I am very satisfied with the cooperation. I recommend!

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I want to thank Alex Zernopolsky for the competent legal advice and sensitive support on the issue of repatriation. Alex and his team were always in touch, delved into the essence of the problems, and promptly offered solutions. I also note the politeness and respectful attitude towards the client.

Михаил Пелливерт

Mikhail Pellivert

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Роман Супер

Roman Super

In Israel, where every third person calls themselves a lawyer, it’s really not easy to find a good one. A childhood friend introduced me to the office of Alex Zernopolsky in 2015. And since then, if any legal issues arise (and they do often in Israel), I go to Alex. All the intricacies and details about repatriation and the post-repatriation period. Family reunification problems. Labor conflicts. Difficulties with banks. Gay marriages. Traditional marriages. Certificates. Apostilles. Notaries. Passport. Laissez-passer. Driver’s licenses. How to bypass 5 windows in two weeks, not two months. How not to go crazy dealing with the immigration service. And millions of other problems in a country where bureaucracy isn’t very friendly to people — that’s for Alex and his guys. And if you find other lawyers in Tel Aviv who respond to messages and calls on the first try, let me know. So far, I’ve only encountered such luxury in Israel here.

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We turned to the office of lawyer Zernopolsky with a rather complex case. And, to be honest, we were quite skeptical about lawyers based on unsuccessful experiences of cooperation with lawyers in the past. But Alex dispelled all our doubts from the first meeting and showed how real professionals work. Throughout our cooperation, we did not worry about anything, Alex was always in touch and clearly answered all our questions. I highly recommend the law office of Alex Zernopolsky. Without exaggeration, he is the most professional lawyer you can trust! I express my great gratitude to the law office of Zernopolsky, and in particular to you, Alex.

Владимир Браиловский

Vladimir Brailovsky

We are grateful to Alex Zernopolsky for his significant help in our difficult situation. We were denied citizenship three times, but thanks to Alex and his firm’s efforts, we obtained a residence permit and are confident that our problem will be fully resolved soon.

Roldugin Andrew

I used the services of Alex Zernopolsky’s office in a rather complex issue. I am very impressed with the competence and professionalism in the matter of repatriation, by proving kinship through a DNA test. Now Alex is handling the legalization of my spouse in Israel. Thank you for the support and accompaniment!

Olga Melentyeva

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Elizabeth Kondratenko

My husband and I turned to a law firm because we encountered serious problems with the STUPRO procedure at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Holon regarding the affiliation of my minor daughter from my first marriage. I want to express my immense gratitude to the lawyers who accompanied and resolved issues in our case, especially I want to thank Yuri Patrick, who approached the resolution of our issue very professionally and responsibly, and as a result, my daughter and I finally received the documents after a long ordeal. The only thing I regret is not turning to this law firm earlier. Many thanks to the company for the work done!!!

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Liberty Lucky

We would like to express our gratitude to Alex Zernopolsky and his team for their coordinated and prompt work in solving our issues. There were many issues, as well as tasks requiring an individual approach, which Alex handled excellently. Almost 24 hours a day, the specialist’s help is immediately available.

Avi Yosipov

My wife Victoria and I are clients of Alex regarding family reunification in Israel. We received excellent service and most importantly – citizenship for my wife!

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I am very satisfied with the work of the law firm. Here you are welcomed warmly and as great professionals, they help to solve almost all your problems. They helped me and my husband competently and professionally resolved all our issues related to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. And for a reasonable fee. Many thanks for that. I recommend this law firm to everyone who has similar problems. They will definitely help you here.

pravoisrael

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Highly recommended professional attorney office. Dedicated service, timely responses, amazing conduct in the court. Used their service several times over the years.

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Good service. Always in touch. Quick resolution of issues. I have been working with Alex Zernopolsky for many years and am always satisfied.

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Professional and honest lawyer.

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I have been working with Alex Zernopolsky for over 2 years. Highly qualified team, attentive customer service, creative approach. Satisfied with the interaction.

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Thank you for the help! Everything went at the highest level. Professionals in their field and very attentive to their clients. We were pleasantly surprised by the courteous attitude and performance. They help to solve issues that arise beyond the contract.

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The most experienced lawyer delves into the nuances of the problem, approaches it with soul. They brought our case to success!

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I want to thank Alex Zernopolsky for the professional consultation and help with the complex issues that we couldn’t figure out on our own. We read through chats and channels and almost made mistakes. Thank you guys for the help!