ISRAEL – Immigration Benefits for Spouses in Same-Sex Marriages with Jewish Applicants

Israel’s Ministry of the Interior has declared that it will extend immigration benefits and issue citizenship to legally married same-sex spouses of Jews who immigrate to Israel. According to the Israeli Law of Return, all Jews are entitled to immigrate to Israel and receive citizenship as well as apply for citizenship for their close family members (regardless of their religion). Foreign nationals of the Jewish faith are exempted from the Population, Immigration and Border Authority application stage (B1 Work Visa). These individuals may enter Israel as tourists and then submit an application to the MOI for a change of status to B-1 worker. Upon approval, the MOI will issue a B-1 work permit which is not employer specific and the applicant may go on to apply for citizenship. Until 12 August 2014, the right to citizenship for accompanying spouses was only granted to heterosexual couples, but effective immediately, immigration authorities will no longer differentiate between married same-sex and heterosexual couples. Note that there are no changes to the dependent categories for the standard B1 Foreign Expert Visa.