The core rule
Israel's Law of Return, 1950 states that every Jew has the right to immigrate to Israel. Immigration is by an immigrant visa (or, for someone already in Israel, an immigrant certificate).
Who counts as a Jew under the law
For the purposes of the Law of Return, a Jew is a person born to a Jewish mother, or who has converted to Judaism, and who is not a member of another religion.
Family members: the three-generation and spouse rules
A 1970 amendment (section 4A) extends the same rights to:
- the child and grandchild of a Jew,
- the spouse of a Jew,
- the spouse of a child or grandchild of a Jew,
- and the widow or widower of a Jew, or of a child or grandchild of a Jew.
This is why a person whose only Jewish parent is their father, or who has one Jewish grandparent, may be eligible. It does not matter whether the Jewish relative is still alive or ever immigrated to Israel. The family rights do not apply to a person who was Jewish and voluntarily changed their religion.
Exceptions
The Minister of the Interior may refuse an immigrant visa if the applicant acts against the Jewish people, may endanger public health or state security, or has a criminal past that may endanger public welfare.
Examples
- Only my father is Jewish. You may be eligible as the child of a Jew.
- One of my grandparents was Jewish. You may be eligible as the grandchild of a Jew, and your spouse may be eligible too.
- I converted. Conversion documents are part of the proof the Jewish Agency asks for; additional requirements may apply, so ask your aliyah representative.
Eligibility under the Law of Return is a civil matter. It is not the same as Jewish status for religious purposes in Israel, such as marriage through the Rabbinate.
How eligibility is decided
Eligibility is assessed person by person in the official process, by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli authorities. Get Out Now does not decide eligibility. Our petition asks for a screener whose rules would be owned by the Jewish Agency, so that people can learn their status in advance. This is a proposed structure; no such arrangement exists today. See how it would work.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Eligibility and procedures are decided only by the official process; always confirm current requirements with the Jewish Agency or Nefesh B'Nefesh.
Related guides
- Emergency aliyah: how it works todayWhat emergency aliyah means, how the Jewish Agency expedited aliyah during the 2022 Ukraine crisis, what to do if you are in danger, and what a registry would change.
- How to make aliyah fasterThe official aliyah steps, the documents the Jewish Agency asks for, and practical ways to avoid delays. The process usually takes 3 to 6 months.
- Aliyah from France, the UK, the US and CanadaWho handles your aliyah file depends on where you live: Nefesh B'Nefesh for the US and Canada, the Jewish Agency for the UK, France and most other countries.
- Is there a Nefesh B'Nefesh or Jewish Agency emergency registry?What exists today (aliyah applications, the Jewish Agency questionnaire) and what our petition asks for: a national registry to pre-verify Law of Return eligibility.