israel travel document vs passport

Every Israeli citizen residing in Israel for 365 days out of 543 (18 months) is entitled to receive an Israeli passport. A travel document (laissez-passer) is issued for non-citizens and occasionally for citizens as well. The difference between a passport and travel document is that the bearer of a travel-document does not enjoy free entry into countries with agreements with Israel regarding visa-free entry. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain an entry visa for every country in the world, regardless of visa agreements. In addition, the validity of travel documents is significantly shorter than the validity of an Israeli passport. There are several types of travel document: 1. A document given to residents who are not citizens of Israel, such as temporary residents. In circumstances in which Israeli civilians lose their passport in a foreign country, they may be issued a one-time travel document or a travel document valid for the year. 2. A travel document given to illegal/undocumented aliens against whom a deportation order was issued and who are unable to acquire/secure a passport from their home country.

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Israeli passport

Benefits of holding an israeli passport, grounds for obtaining israeli passport, how to apply for an israeli passport, teudat zehut, lesse passe.

The Israeli passport is one of the most recognizable in the world: a booklet with a dark blue cover featuring a seven-branched menorah. In 2023, it ranked 23rd globally in terms of mobility and provides visa-free travel opportunities to nearly 160 countries. However, the appeal of the Israeli passport lies not only in the freedom of movement. Along with this document, a person gains the benefits of living in a developed democratic country.

Israeli law provides for two types of foreign passports: the Darkon (in Hebrew, ‏דַּרְכּוֹן – travel document) and the Lesse-Passe (in Hebrew, תעודת מעבר), as well as one type of internal passport – the Teudat Zehut (in Hebrew, תעודת זהות). Each document verifies the identity of the holder and their status as an Israeli citizen.

One of the countries with high living standards is Israel. The full range of benefits of citizenship guarantees an Israeli passport.

This document allows you to:

• cross the borders of 161 countries without a visa;
• receive decent living conditions;
• use high-quality medical services;
• have better prospects for employment;
• get diplomas from local universities recognized by the world community (although tuition is paid, there is an opportunity to receive state grants and participate in scholarship projects);
• receive financial assistance from the state to address issues of settling and adaptation in the country;
• receive assistance and assistance in solving housing issues from Israeli ministries;
• they will study Hebrew for free in ulpans – the right to study remains for 10 years, and the free language study itself lasts 6 months.

There are 3 types of identity documents in Israel:

• inside the country;
• during your stay abroad.

They confirm that the owners belong to the number of Israeli citizens. With Teudat Maavar and Darkon, there are no problems identifying a person during trips abroad. The last change in the format of the internal passport was adopted in 2017 – Teudat Zehut became biometric. It is necessary in such situations as:

• employment;
• opening a bank account;
• registration of a medical insurance policy;
• admission to an educational institution;
• business registration in the country.

One of the most important and relevant aspects of the registration of Israeli citizenship is the issue of obtaining a foreign passport. The WRAI offers assistance to citizens with Jewish roots in obtaining citizenship of Israel. When contacting citizenship specialists, each client receives:

• individual solution of issues;
• assistance in collecting missing documentation;
• an objective assessment of your chances of passing an interview with the consul.

Obtaining an Israeli passport is a significant step for those who qualify for Israeli citizenship. The passport grants access to numerous benefits, including visa-free travel to many countries and the privileges associated with holding citizenship in a democratic, developed nation. Whether through birth, repatriation, or naturalization, the process of obtaining an Israeli passport reflects one’s connection to the state of Israel and its laws. While the path to citizenship may vary, the advantages of holding an Israeli passport remain highly valued.

How can one obtain an Israeli passport? Here are all the options:

• Birth on the territory of the country
• Marriage to a citizen of the country
• Working for the government
• Naturalization
• Repatriation
• Having parents with citizenship
• Special conditions for exceptional services or based on direct investments

Full support at all stages of repatriation, including Israel You only have to submit documents Leave a request

WRAI can assist you in obtaining an Israeli passport by guiding you through the application process. Whether you’re a new repatriate or someone eligible for citizenship, the company offers professional support in navigating the necessary steps, paperwork, and legal requirements. With their expertise, you can ensure a smoother experience in acquiring your Israeli passport, benefiting from their knowledge of the system and personalized assistance tailored to your situation.

The process begins by scheduling an appointment with the Population and Immigration Authority, either through their website or via the MyVisit app. Scheduling can often be challenging due to limited availability. During the appointment, you will need to present your Teudat Zehut (Israeli identity card) and other required documents, if applicable. Biometric data will also be collected. After submitting the application, the waiting period for the passport may vary but usually takes several weeks. The document will be delivered by mail or courier. Once received, the passport must be activated before use.

Teudat Zehut is an identity card used within the country. It is typically issued directly by the Ministry of Interior. There are two types of internal identification: regular and biometric, similar to a driver’s license. All such cards have a unique nine-digit identification number. Israeli citizens’ ID cards are blue, with bilingual inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew on the margins.

Like any identity card, Teudat Zehut includes the main information about the owner:

• first and last name;
• date and place of birth data;
• information about parents.

The insert provides the ability to view the family status, name, and identification number of the spouse, each minor child, permanent residence address, and citizenship.

A few years ago, new repatriates were issued a temporary Teudat Zehut directly at Ben Gurion Airport immediately upon arrival. The validity of such a passport was 3 months.

A temporary identity card is also issued to individuals who arrive in Israel as tourists and plan to change their status to repatriate. The validity of the Teudat Zehut in this case is 9 months.

Permanent biometric documents are only issued to individuals with Israeli citizenship.

What needs to be done to obtain an Israeli internal passport?

• Schedule an appointment with the Population and Immigration Authority. This can be done through the MyVisit app.
• Attend your appointment at the Ministry of Interior at the scheduled time. You will need to answer standard questions and submit biometric data. Bring your passport application and the documents you submitted for the consular check.

It is hard to say how long it will take to receive the document. There are currently long queues at Ministry of Interior offices. Previously, the Teudat Zehut was issued 14 days after submitting the application, but now the waiting period is at least 6 weeks. After receiving the document, it must be activated.

The Darkon is an official document that certifies the identity of an Israeli citizen abroad. The holder of a Darkon can enter around 160 countries without obtaining a visa. The passport issuance procedure has changed significantly three times in the past five years. According to the 2020 regulation, new citizens can issue their first Darkon for a period of 1 year. Subsequent passports depend on the repatriate’s total time in the country and citizenship duration. To obtain a 10-year Darkon, one must have been a repatriate for at least 5 years and spent 65% or more of their time in Israel. An international standard document confirms the identity of individuals outside their native country. It is a blue-colored document. The title page features an embossed golden national emblem.

how do i get the renewal application form ?

It depends on several factors. We have a detailed article on this topic: https://welcome-israel.com/israeli-passport/renewal-of-israeli-passport

If my grandfather is Jewish, can I get citizenship? What proof do I need in such a case?

Good afternoon, yes, you are eligible for Israeli citizenship. In order to successfully pass the consular check, you will need to gather a package of documents that will include proof of your grandfather’s Jewish ancestry and your relationship to him. To prove your ancestry, you will need civil registry documents indicating your nationality, and/or house books, Red Cross extracts, etc. And to prove your relationship you will need the whole chain of documents from your grandfather to you: birth certificates, marriage certificates, name changes, death certificates, etc. If you have problems with finding the necessary documents, you can always turn to the archival specialists of our company, which in the shortest possible time will be able to help you with this task!

Israel, Netanya, Meffi 5, office 308

Israeli citizenship offers many opportunities, including greater freedom of movement, economic opportunities and access to high quality education and health…

What is Darkon? Darkon is an Israeli foreign passport that allows you to freely travel to 159 countries of the…

What is Lesse Passe? Lesse Passe (laissez passer) or Teudat Maavar is an Israeli passport that confirms Israeli citizenship abroad…

Every citizen of the country must have an Israeli ID card, known as Teudat Zehut. There are several possible options…

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

WHAT IS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE INTERIOR MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE PASSPORT LAW?

The Minister of Interior has broad authority. Among other things, the minister is authorized, according to Section 6(a) of the law: (1) to refuse to grant a passport or a travel document, and to refuse to renew them; (2) to define conditions under which a passport or travel document will be granted or renewed; (3) to cancel a passport or travel document that have been granted, or to shorten their validity period and require them to be returned; (4) to limit the countries for which the passport or travel document will be valid, whether at the time of granting or later; (5) to decide that a passport or travel document must include biometric identification means, biometric identification information, or other computerized matter.

  ARE NEW IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE LAW OF RETURN AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE FOR AN ISRAELI PASSPORT AND ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP?

Section 2(a) of the Citizenship Law, 5712–1952 stipulates that “Every ‘oleh’ under the Law of Return, 5710-1950, shall become an Israel national by return unless Israel nationality has been conferred on him by birth under section 4” or by adoption under section 4(b). It follows that, in principle, new immigrants under the Law of Return are entitled to an Israeli passport and Israeli citizenship immediately upon their arrival in Israel. However, this issue is controversial, and the policy concerning it changes frequently—below we explain the situation.

Until 2017, Section 4(a) of the Passport Law stated that the validity period of a passport shall be ten years from the time when it was granted, but the minister may grant an Israeli citizen who has not settled in Israel a passport for a period that is less than ten years, or a travel document; the minister may order for a certain passport or certain type of passport to be issued for a period that is less than ten years.

This has led the Interior Minister to regularly refuse to grant regular Israeli passports, valid for 10 years, to new immigrants under the Law of Return who have not settled in Israel and have not made Israel their center of life . Accordingly, new immigrants under the Law of Return who had not yet settled in Israel were forced to make do with a travel document.

In 2017, the Knesset added Amendment 9 to the law, an amendment that limited the scope of the above-mentioned Section 4(a): the minister shall not refuse to grant a first passport to anyone who has naturalized under Section 2 of the Citizenship Law, 5712–1952, for the sole reason that the citizen has not yet settled in Israel (Section 6[b] of the law). However, since the amendment, several media investigations were conducted, which uncovered eligible immigrants under the Law of Return who had come to Israel to receive their Israeli passport and then returned to their country of origin (some of them after receiving the absorption basket for new immigrants under the Law of Return , and some of them immediately upon receiving their passport). Therefore, a new directive was issued by the Minister of Interior , according to which new immigrants under the Law of Return shall receive a passport that is only valid for one year; after living in Israel for a year they shall receive a passport that is valid for five years; and after that they shall receive a passport that is valid for ten years.

As of February 2023, when this article was written, and according to media reports, it is possible that the situation will soon be reversed to what it was before 2017—i.e., new immigrants under the Law of Return will initially have to make do with a travel document. The reason for this, inter alia, is that the Ministry of Interior claims that Israel’s security forces have raised the concern that the 2017 law amendment may lead to the exploitation of the Law of Return for the purpose of providing Israeli passports to hostile factors who will engage in activities intended to harm the security of the State of Israel.

THE PASSPORT LAW CONTAINS PUNITIVE PROVISIONS

Section 8 of the Passport Law stipulates a maximal punishment of up to two years of imprisonment, in addition to a fine, for anyone who (1) has forged a fake passport or travel document, has added, changed, erased, torn out, or otherwise destroyed any writing or stamp in the passport or travel document without being authorized to do so, or has performed an action aimed at faking, adding, changing, erasing, tearing out, or otherwise destroying the aforementioned; (2) has used or held a passport or travel document that is fake or in which writing was added, erased, or changed by someone who is unauthorized to do so, and no proof was presented showing that the passport or travel document was used or held innocently; (3) has unlawfully used a passport or travel document not belonging to the user or not containing the name of the user; (4) has unlawfully given their passport or travel document to another person to use who does not own the passport or travel document and whose name does not appear in the passport or travel document; (5) has knowingly provided false information regarding an important detail for the purpose of obtaining a passport or travel document, extending their validity, changing them, or correcting them.

  WHICH BODY AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING ISRAELI PASSPORTS?

Section 9(a) of the Passport Law stipulates that the minister is authorized to transfer all or some of their rights under this law to someone else, except the right to cancel a passport and the right to pass regulations. This transference of rights shall be publicized in the Reshumot . Based on this section, the Minister of Interior transferred some of their rights to lesser Ministry officials at the Population and Immigration Authority’s Population Administration .

  TO WHOM CAN YOU APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION REGARDING THE PASSPORT LAW?

Section 9(b) of the Passport Law stipulates that anyone who believes that they have been wronged by a decision based on Section 6, (1)/(2)/(3), a decision that was issued by an official to whom the Minister of Interior has transferred the right to decide, may turn to the Minister for a final verdict.

In accordance with the provisions of this section, anyone who believes that they have been wronged by a decision of a junior official whom the Minister of Interior authorized to make the decision under the Passport Law may ask the Minister for a verdict. After the Minister of Interior gives the verdict, this verdict may be used to rightfully appeal against the decision before a regional court (in the relevant region) serving as a court for administrative matters. In rare cases it is possible to receive approval to appeal against the decision of the regional court before the Supreme Court.

IN SUMMARY—CONTACT A LAWYER WHO SPECIALIZES IN ISRAELI PASSPORTS:

Our firm, which specializes in obtaining Israeli passports, represents new immigrants under the Law of Return in the process of obtaining their first Israeli passport. In addition, we regularly submit appeals with the Minister of Interior concerning the Passport Law, as well as appeals with the relevant courts. Contact an immigration lawyer in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for help with this issue. You can contact a lawyer from our firm via the phone numbers or email address listed below.

This article was composed in collaboration with lawyer Adam Jonsson.

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Issuance of travel documents (passport) for citizens and residents of Israel

The service is available to Israeli citizens or residents living abroad.

The applicant can schedule an appointment through the online appointment scheduler, at an Israeli mission in the country where he/she is staying, and bring all the documents in person to the mission.

The application with all the accompanying documents can be sent by mail, according to the instructions on the website of the mission.

Please note: When sending by mail, you must send the original documents and keep photocopies.

Application for issuance of a passport

To visit the mission, it is necessary to schedule an appointment in advance.

Before coming to the mission, make sure you have with you all the required documents and completed forms.

Payment must be made according to the Consular fee Chart .

The Israeli diplomatic and consular missions abroad have the responsibility to advise, guide and help the consular service recipient to handle matters abroad. The Consulate of Israel in Toronto provides consular services to residents of Ontario and Western Canada, including the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Nunavut.

Consular services are provided to those who attend their appointment in person, as well as those who mail in their documents. Some services (as described below) cannot be completed without attending the Consulate location in person.

Please note: appointments will not be scheduled by phone.​

For the following services, you must attend the Consulate in person:

• Notification of an Israeli born abroad
• First-time applicants for any Israeli passport or travel documents, irrespective of age
• Renewal or extension of a passport of a minor (the minor is required to attend the Consulate in person as well)
• Changing of personal status i.e. marriage, divorce.
• Notarization of legal documents in front of the Consul
• Reporting and renewal of a lost or damaged Israeli passport or travel document
• Request to renounce Israeli citizenship
• Request for any name change

Instructions for those entering Israel:     

• Canadian citizens entering Israel for visits of up to three months are required to carry a valid Canadian passport with an expiry date of at least six (6) months beyond the intended departure.
• For entry into Israel for purposes other than a visit of up to 3 months or for individuals with citizenship other than Canadian, a valid travel document with an expiration date of at least six (6) months beyond the intended departure is necessary. In addition, a visa is required.

For Consular Services in the rest of Canada:

The Consulate General of Israel in Montreal is responsible for Eastern Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador). The Embassy of Israel in Ottawa is responsible for the eastern part of Ontario (Ottawa up to and including​ Kingston)   Reception Hours for Consular Services:

The Consular Section is open to the public by appointment only from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (excluding holidays)

• Passport pick-up: Monday to Friday, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM with prior confirmation only.
• Telephone Reception Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM at 416-640-8505. You may leave a voice message.
• For questions regarding military issues: Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM.

When the Consulate is closed and only in the case of emergency, you may leave a message at the following number: ​416-823-7215. In case of emergencies, you may also call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' emergency call centre   in Israel at +972-2-5303155.