Can you have more than one citizenship?
The State of Israel allows its citizens to hold more than one citizenship (for example, Israeli citizenship and American citizenship). However, not every country allows this option. For example, Norway doesn’t permit its citizens to hold more than one citizenship, except for a small number of cases. In such cases, the person requesting citizenship will have to decide which citizenship to give up.
Can you get an Israeli visa/citizenship by marrying an Israeli citizen?
In the past, someone who married an Israeli citizen would have received citizenship. However, in 1996 the Ministry of Interior changed the procedure and decided that only if the couple got married before arriving in Israel would the foreign partner receive citizenship (meaning they arrived in the country together as a family).
With the change in the law, the foreign partner now needs to go through a years-long process to get citizenship. This involves convincing the Ministry of Interior that the relationship is authentic and that the foreign partner has a connection to Israel. They must also prove that they would not pose a criminal or national threat if they are granted Israeli citizenship. If all these criteria are met, the couple can request Israeli citizenship for the foreign partner.
Acquiring a visa/citizenship after getting married in Israel is not simple, but it is possible with a lawyer who specializes in immigration law and who is very familiar with the procedures of the Ministry of Interior.
What happens if the Israeli member of the couple dies during the process of acquiring citizenship?
Often, the process will be terminated and the foreign partner will have to leave Israel, unless there are certain criteria that would justify the person staying in the country. Sometimes, it may even be possible to request citizenship. Having a lawyer with expertise in immigration significantly increases your chances of continuing the process of acquiring citizenship/residency.
The Ministry of Interior delayed the end of my citizenship process, is that legal (allowed)?
You need to find out the ministry’s reasons for extending the procedure. If the couple do not agree with the reasons given, they can appeal the decision to delay the process.
Is it possible to shorten the citizenship process?
Yes, especially if you can convince the ministry of the need to shorten the procedure.
The Ministry of Interior has ordered that I leave Israel. Can I appeal this decision?
Yes. You need to go to the relevant authorities quickly for a re-assessment, to appeal the decision, to present legal facts and your reasons for staying, and to request that the decision is canceled. While waiting for a decision on your appeal you can request an injunction to make sure you’re not deported before the decision has been made.
Appealing a Ministry of Interior decision without a lawyer who specializes in immigration law may not work and could even harm future legal processes.
