Visas, Permanent or Temporary Status and The Ministry of Internal Affairs
Israeli law states that residents of a foreign country cannot stay in Israel unless they have the appropriate visa/permit.
If one has legal status in Israel (citizens and residents) they can remain in the country according to the terms set. Citizens and permanent residents can remain in Israel with no restrictions. Temporary residents can remain until the date given on their visa/license.
The Population and Immigration Border Authority (PIBA) in the Ministry of Interior decides whether to grant status or visas. PIBA has over 2,000 employees. The Population Administration in PIBA is in charge of registering passports, citizenship and status, visas, family unification, immigration and Jewish return. The office has 28 chambers, seven sub-bureaus and 225 authorized registration stations scattered throughout Israel.
Obtaining a visa/status in Israel can be a very complicated and difficult process. The decision is made in view of each applicant’s personal information, and in accordance with the laws of the state (the Law of Jewish return, Citizenship Law, Entry into Israel Law), Ministry of Interior protocols, and the many judgments handed down in recent years in the appeals court, administrative court and the Supreme Court (High Court of Justice).
The decision to grant citizenship/residency is in the hands of officials and representatives in PIBA. They make these decisions according to the documents and information submitted to them and the hearing (interview) conducted under the appropriate conditions.
It is very important that documents and information submitted to PIBA accurately record the specific data of each case, and that applicants will be ready for questions asked at the hearing.
If the officials and representatives of the Ministry of Interior form a negative impression, it might lead to the request for citizenship/residency being rejected.
Thorough knowledge of all the laws, regulations and rulings, as well as familiarity with the way representatives of the Ministry of Interior have previously acted in similar cases, can make the difference between acceptance and rejection.
Our firm has extensive knowledge of the legislation, regulations and relevant rulings regarding the acquisition of Israeli citizenship.
We have represented clients throughout many complex and difficult citizenship applications, and have argued cases at PIBA the Ministry of Interior and in all the different court systems.
It is very important for citizenship and residency applications to be conducted properly from the first submission.
Inaccurate claims or use of incorrect documents can lead to the Ministry of Interior rejecting the request.
If you receive a negative response from the Ministry of Interior, you can attempt to reverse the decision via legal proceedings in the Ministry of Interior, committees, and the various courts.
Working closely with an attorney who specializes in immigration policy will greatly improve your chances of getting legal status in Israel in the shortest time possible.
