Immigration
The Law of Return alongside a restrictive general immigration regime
Israeli immigration divides sharply. The Law of Return 1950 gives every Jew, and defined family members, the right to immigrate and acquire citizenship almost automatically. All other immigration is governed by the Entry into Israel Law 1952 and is comparatively restrictive.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The State of Israel. Administered by the Population and Immigration Authority.
- Deadline — B/1 work visas are issued for up to one year and are renewable up to defined maxima
- Deadline — Permits under the Law of Return are processed by the Jewish Agency and the Population Authority without a general quota
Governing law
- Law of Return 5710-1950
- Nationality Law 5712-1952
- Entry into Israel Law 5712-1952
- Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Provision), re-enacted 2022
In practice
The Law of Return, as amended in 1970, extends to the child and grandchild of a Jew and to spouses, and confers an entitlement to aliyah subject to narrow public-order exceptions. Everyone else requires a visa under the Entry into Israel Law: B/1 for work, A/1 for those eligible under the Law of Return pending immigration, A/2 for students, and B/2 for visitors. Labour migration operates through bilateral arrangements and employer-specific permits in agriculture, construction and caregiving. The Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law restricts family unification for spouses from specified territories and has been repeatedly litigated before the Supreme Court; it lapsed in 2021 and was re-enacted in 2022.