Passport Requirements for Aliyah: Complete Guide

Your passport is one of the most important documents in the aliyah process. Understanding exactly what you need to copy, which passports to include, and how to meet the validity requirements can prevent delays in your application. This guide covers everything you need to know about passport documentation for aliyah.

Basic Passport Requirements

Current Valid Passport

You need a valid passport from your country of citizenship that must be valid for at least six months beyond your anticipated aliyah date and must be in good physical condition without damage, tears, or water damage.

Why Six Months Validity Matters

This is the international travel standard, and Israel requires it for visa processing. Your aliyah visa is issued based on a valid passport, and you need time after arrival to process Israeli documents. If your passport is expiring soon, renew it before starting your aliyah application. Avoid starting with a passport expiring in less than six months, as processing delays could push you past expiration.

Which Pages to Copy

The Main Page (Bio Page)

This is the most critical page containing your photograph and personal information, including your full name, passport number, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality, dates of issue and expiration, issuing authority, your signature, and the machine-readable zone at the bottom. Color copies are preferred, though black and white is usually acceptable. The copy must be clear and legible with all information readable, including the entire page without

cut-off edges. Make several copies for your records as you will need the original passport at various stages.

Pages with Name Changes

If your name has changed through marriage, divorce, legal name change, or adoption, copy the page in your passport showing the name change notation. Some countries include this on the main page while others have a separate amendments page. Also submit supporting documentation such as a marriage certificate, legal name change court order, or divorce decree. Israeli authorities need to connect your current name to your birth name to verify your

identity.

Pages with Date Extensions

If your passport was extended, include the page showing the extension with the original and new expiration dates. This is less common now as most countries issue new passports rather than extending old ones.

What You Do Not Need to Copy

You do not need to copy blank pages. For the standard aliyah application, you also do not need to copy visa or entry/exit stamp pages. Only copy the main bio page, pages with name changes, pages with date extensions, and any page with relevant information about you.

The Entry/Exit Form Requirement

This is a specific requirement that causes confusion because it requires more passport documentation than the basic application.

What Is the Entry/Exit Form?

This is an Israeli government form required for everyone age 17 and above making aliyah. It tracks your travel history, prevents issues with Israeli military service obligations, and determines if you left Israel previously and when.

Categories of Applicants

Category 1 is Oleh Chadash (New Immigrant), meaning you have never lived in Israel and are making aliyah for the first time, born outside Israel to non-Israeli parents. Category 2 is for those born outside Israel to Israeli parents, making you an Israeli citizen from birth who never lived in Israel or lived there briefly, known as Ezrach Oleh status. Category 3 is for those born in Israel or who made aliyah as a child and left Israel before their 14th birthday, known as Katin Chozer status, who are now returning as adults.

Passport Documentation for Entry/Exit Form

For Categories 1 and 2, you must submit copies of the first page of all your passports, for all nationalities you hold, for the past seven years from your anticipated aliyah date, including expired passports, plus any pages with name changes or date extensions. For example, if you are making aliyah in July 2025, include all passports from July 2018 to present, even if a passport expired in 2020, and even if you have never been to Israel.

For Category 3, you must submit copies of the first page of all passports, for all nationalities, since your 14th birthday (not just the past seven years), along with any name change or date extension pages.

Multiple Citizenships

If you hold more than one passport, you must submit copies of all passports you hold from all countries. Common situations include dual citizenship such as U.S. and Canadian, or European citizenship plus birth country. Some people hold three or more citizenships, and all passports must be submitted even if you rarely use one. The Israeli government needs a complete picture of all your travel possibilities and full legal status. If you have a citizenship but never obtained the passport, note this in your application.

Expired Passports

Yes, you need to submit expired passports if they fall within the required timeframe. For the Entry/Exit Form, include any passport from any nationality from the past seven years, even if it expired five years ago. For the basic application, you only need your current valid passport main page.

What If You Do Not Have Old Passports?

If you have lost or disposed of expired passports, write an explanation letter stating which passports you held and approximate dates, explaining they were lost, destroyed, or disposed of, and providing passport numbers if you remember or have records. You may be asked to request passport history from your government, as some countries maintain records of passports issued. This will not necessarily prevent aliyah, but be honest and upfront about it.

How to Label Your Passport Copies

Each passport copy page must be clearly labeled with the passport holder's full name as it appears on the passport, the passport number, country of issuance, and which page it is (such as Main Page or Name Change Page). You can write on the copy itself (not the original), use sticky notes attached to copies, or type and print labels. Clear handwriting is acceptable.

Special Passport Situations

Israeli Passport Holders

If you already have an Israeli passport, submit both your Israeli passport and foreign passport, following the same requirements for both. The Israeli passport does not need apostille or special certification. If you have an Israeli passport, you do not need an aliyah visa since the Israeli passport proves citizenship, though you still complete the aliyah process.

Passport in Maiden Name vs. Current Name

If your passport is still in your maiden name but you are now married with a different surname, the recommended approach is to renew your passport in your new name before starting the aliyah application. Submit the passport in your current legal name along with the marriage certificate showing the name change. Alternatively, you can use the passport in your maiden name, submit the marriage certificate, and explain the name discrepancy, though this requires more documentation to connect the names.

Passport Damage or Irregularities

If your passport is damaged with water damage, torn pages, bent, or worn, renew it before applying as damaged passports can be rejected at the border. Full passport booklets should not have missing pages, and if pages were removed, this could indicate fraud, so renew to get a complete book. Some older passports have handwritten amendments which are usually acceptable if official and stamped. Multiple extensions are usually acceptable if clearly documented, but a newer passport is better.

Children's Passports

For minor children making aliyah, you need the child's passport main page copy, which must be valid for six or more months. Both parents must typically consent to the child getting a passport. Passport photos of infants can look very different but this is normal and acceptable as long as the passport is valid and legitimate. Children under 17 do not need to complete the Entry/Exit Form; they just need their current passport main page.

Passport Renewal During Application Process

If your passport expires while your application is pending, renew it immediately, update your application with the new passport, submit the new passport copy to Nefesh B'Nefesh or the Jewish Agency, notify them of the passport number change, and you may need to reapply for the visa with the new passport. If your passport expires after approval but before aliyah, renew immediately, update the visa application, and bring both old and new passports when making aliyah. Keep in mind that passport renewal can take four to twelve weeks, so plan ahead and do not let your passport expire during the process.

Countries with Special Considerations

UK passports have a standard format with a clear bio page and are easy to copy, often issued for ten years. If you have both UK and EU passports following Brexit, submit both. EU passports have a standard format across the EU with the bio page containing all necessary information. Canadian passports have a red cover with a bilingual bio page in English and French. South African passports come in smart card format (new style) or booklet (old style), and both formats are acceptable. South American countries have various formats including card and booklet styles, and you may need to copy the front and back of card-style passports. For former Soviet Union countries such as Russia and Ukraine, submit the external (international) passport for aliyah and copy the transliteration page showing your name in

Latin letters.

What NOT to Do

Do not submit only a photocopy of a photocopy; instead submit a clear first-generation copy. Do not cut off edges of the passport page. Do not use your passport photo instead of copying the entire page. Do not forget to include name change pages. Do not submit an expired passport for the current passport requirement. Do not forget to label copies. Do not send your original passport by mail; keep originals safe. Do not forget about your second citizenship passport. Do not ignore expired passports within the seven-year window. Do not assume visa stamp pages are needed for the basic application because they are not.

Do make clear, legible copies. Do include complete pages. Do label everything. Do keep originals safe. Do check expiration dates. Do include all citizenships. Do follow specific requirements for the Entry/Exit Form. Do ask questions if you are unsure.

Timeline and Planning

Eight to ten months before aliyah, check passport expiration dates, renew if expiring within twelve months, gather all old passports, and make copies of everything. Six to eight months before, submit passport copies with your application, ensure everything is labeled, and keep originals for future stages. During the application process, bring original passports to your Jewish Agency interview, keep them with you at all times, and update if anything changes. Upon approval, use your passport to apply for the aliyah visa. Your original passport is needed for the visa application and the visa will be placed in your passport. On your aliyah flight, bring your original passport in your carry-on luggage as you need it for boarding and arrival processing. Never check your passport in your luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I submit color copies or must they be black and white? **Color copies are preferred but black and white is usually acceptable if clear and legible.

**Do I need to get my passport copies notarized? **No, passport copies do not need notarization. Just clear copies.

**What if my passport has a different spelling of my name than my birth certificate? **Note this in your application and provide an explanation. You may need additional documentation connecting the names.

**I traveled to Israel on a tourist visa. Do I need to show this? **Not necessarily for the basic application, but be honest in your Entry/Exit Form. Previous tourism does not prevent aliyah.

**Do children need passports if traveling on parents' passport? **Most countries now require children to have their own passports. Check your country's requirements.

**Can I make aliyah on an emergency or temporary passport? **This is complicated. Consult with the Jewish Agency. A regular passport is strongly preferred.

**What if I have a diplomatic passport? **Submit that passport as well along with any regular passport. Diplomatic status does not prevent aliyah but should be disclosed.

**My passport number changed when I renewed. Do I need the old passport for anything? **Yes, for the Entry/Exit Form if it is within the seven-year window. It also helps establish continuity of identity.

Summary Checklist

For Every Family Member

Current valid passport with six or more months validity, copy of main bio page with photo, copies of any name change pages, copies of any date extension pages, and all pages clearly labeled with name and passport number.

For Entry/Exit Form (Age 17+)

All passports from the past seven years for all nationalities, including expired passports within the timeframe, main bio page from each passport, and clearly labeled with dates and passport numbers.

Before Submitting

Check all expiration dates for six or more months validity, make multiple copies for your records, label everything clearly, organize by family member, and keep originals safe for later stages.

Your passport is your primary identity document. Accuracy is critical. Clear copies prevent delays. Keep originals safe. Update if anything changes during the application process. Your passport documentation is fundamental to your aliyah application. Taking time to prepare these documents correctly, include all required passports, and label everything clearly will help ensure your application proceeds smoothly.

For more information go to www.easyaliyah.com

Updated on: 01/02/2026