DEFINITION

Returning Israeli Minor (hereafter Katin/a Chozer/et):

A citizen of Israel, who leaves Israel before the age of 14 together with at least one parent or joined a parent residing abroad, spent at least 4 consecutive years abroad with parent/parents and returns to reside in Israel after the age of 17.

Please note that if your parent/s was/were employed by, or represented an Israeli employer (Government, Jewish Agency, etc. or private), during the five years prior to your permanent return to Israel, you will not be recognized as a Katin/a Chozer/et.

VISITS TO ISRAEL PRIOR TO PERMANENT RETURN

Any visit by Ktinim Chozrim in excess of 4 months (or combined visits exceeding a total of 4 months) in one year will be regarded as a permanent return to Israel.

The Customs Authority calculates visits of Ktinim Chozrim on a yearly basis, the year running from the date of original departure from Israel. Hence, Ktinim Chozrim cannot visit Israel for over 4 months yearly from the date of original departure in order not to affect future rights and concessions in customs.

An exception to the above is the one time privilege of a Ktinim Chozrim to visit Israel on an “authorised study programme” of the Jewish Agency, at universities, or recognised yeshivot. This visit must not exceed one year in duration, must be authorised and must run for a minimum number of months, depending on the programme.

A stay in Israel for compulsory army service is recognised as a visit and not as a commencement of rights. This on condition that the candidate does not stay in Israel over 4 months in total while not serving active duty in the army and on condition that no rights are utilised.

IMPORTANT: Upon completing your programme, remember to get an official letter from the institution confirming your participation in the programme and ensure you keep this, as you will need it for future use.

If, upon completion of an authorised study programme, your intentions are to remain in Israel on a permanent basis, please enquire with the authorities to ensure that the date of your commencement of rights will be calculated from after the completion of the programme. Consult with your Shaliach overseas to verify the ramifications of such visits.

APPLYING FOR YOUR TEUDAT ZAKA’UT
(Eligibility booklet for Ktinim Chozrim):

A Teudat Zaka’ut will not be issued at the airport. After arrival, you should go to the regional office of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption in your area and personally present to them:

(To be arranged whilst still abroad):

1. Israeli passport, (or Oleh visa together with foreign passport, in the event of you not being an Israeli citizen). Both are obtainable at the Israeli Consulate.
2. Proof of your continuous, uninterrupted stay abroad from before age 14 until today, eg:
   1. old passports;
   2. if old passports are unavailable, alternative documents, such as official school reports, letters from schools or places of employment, specifying exact dates of attendance or employment, may suffice.
3. If applicable, proof of participation in a recognised programme/university/yeshiva in Israel.
4. Passport photographs.
5. 1. Proof that your parent/s lived abroad, together with you, for at least 4 consecutive years when you were between the age of 13 – 17 or 14 - 18. Parents’ passports are the best form of proof. If these are unavailable, then work contracts/letters from employers/salary slips/record of City Council attestation in the name of the parents, etc. may be acceptable.
   2. A signed declaration by your parent/s that they have not been employed by the Government of Israel, Jewish Agency/WZO or any Israeli company for a period of 5 years prior to your return to Israel.

In order to enable your Shaliach to provide you with accurate advice, please present the above documents. If not all of the above are available, consult with your Shaliach.

(To be arranged upon arrival in Israel):

1. Receipt of your Teudat Zehut (Israeli I.D. card) at a branch of the Ministry of Interior.
2. Confirmation that you have registered with the I.D.F. (Israeli Defence Force), or an official release form.

Once an official at the Ministry of Absorption has checked and verified the above documents, you will be asked to sign a declaration. Upon signing this declaration, you will receive your Teudat Zaka’ut, making you eligible for concessions granted by the Ministry of Absorption.

ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS

The Teudat Zaka’ut entitles you to Ministry of Absorption concessions only. Below you will find guidelines for additional concessions.

SAL KLITA (ABSORPTION BASKET)

Sal klita is financial assistance, intended to help with the initial period of adjustment in Israel. The assistance is given as a grant and continues to be paid in seven monthly installments as long as you remain in the country. For amounts, please consult your Shaliach.

One of the conditions for being eligible is that you have not spent 18 months, or more, in Israel during the 3 years prior to your return.

In order to receive your sal klita payments, you must present your bank account details to Misrad HaKlita after being recognized by them as a Katin/a Chozer/et.

CUSTOMS

Eligibility criteria are similar to those of the Ministry of Absorption. You should present your Teudat Zaka’ut together with the other documents required by the Ministry  to a regional Customs office, and you must sign a similar declaration. Note that recognition by the Ministry of Absorption does not automatically guarantee that the customs official will certify your eligibility for customs privileges.

For additional information, please check the Ministry of Absorption's web site for customs.

Customs rights run continually for a period of three years.

MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

Ktinim Chozrim are eligible for mortgage rights from age 21 for a period of 15 years. This entitles you to special conditions. Please check with a mortgage bank in Israel for further details, as each case is calculated on an individual basis.

ARMY SERVICE

Male: An Israeli citizen, who left Israel with his parents before the age of 15 (before 30.4.1997) or 16 (after 1.5.1997), will not be called up for army service as long as he and his parents are residing permanently abroad. His status with the IDF is contingent upon his parents’ residence abroad until he reaches age 21. If he left Israel before the age of 13, his status with the IDF is contingent on his parents’ residence abroad only until he reaches the age of 18.

Female: An Israeli citizen, who left Israel before the age of 16, will be exempt from army service upon reaching the age of 20. If she resided in Israel for more than 4 months (up to 1 year), for any purpose between the ages of 18-20, or if her parents returned to Israel during this time, then she will only be exempt from military service if she returns to Israel after reaching the age of 22.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Rental Assistance
Ktinim Chozrim are eligible for rental assistance from the 2nd year. This is a right for 4 year total, and is calculated according to a graded scale.

Both female and male Ktinim Chozrim, who are eligible for compulsory army service, may apply to the Academic Study Reserve (Atuda Bet) to have their service postponed until completion of their studies at a recognized institute of Higher Education. Deferment, if granted, is for one academic year at a time.

Doctors and dentists have different enlistment regulations. For additional information, consult the IDF representative at the Israeli Consulate.

We strongly advise that Ktinim Chozrim who have reached the age of 17, and intend visiting Israel for a short visit or on a recognised programme, apply to the Israeli Consulate for a deferment from army service prior to any visit. This will eliminate the need to report to Lishkat HaGiyus once in Israel.

TAX CONCESSIONS THAT MAY APPLY TO KTINIM CHOZRIM

Apartment Purchase Tax
A person who left Israel under the age of 18 and returns after spending at least 10 consecutive years abroad (with no more than 45 days per year in Israel for visits), is eligible for the new immigrant concession: a sliding reduction in purchase tax instead of the prescribed rate.

Income Tax
A person who left Israel under the age of 18 and returns after spending at least 5 consecutive years abroad, is eligible for the new immigrant concessions of receiving tax credit points on a sliding scale, for the first 42 months of residence in Israel.

MEDICAL COVERAGE

You will not be eligible for 6 months free health insurance, nor be automatically covered by medical insurance upon your arrival. Immediately upon your arrival in Israel, you need to turn to your local office of the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) and inform them of your return. You will be required to complete the applicable forms and be interviewed by one of their clerks. If you have been recognised as a Katin Chozer by Misrad HaKlita, and you have been out of Israel at least 5 (five) years, you should go to your local office of the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) and present:

1. confirmation from the income tax authorities of eligibility for tax credit points (see above),
   OR
   
2. your Teudat Zakaut (eligibility booklet) from Misrad HaKlita in order to be exempt from Article 58 and the relevant waiting period for health insurance. Due to recent changes in the law, you are recommended to check the official website of Bituach Leumi for further information.

We hope you find this Fact Sheet helpful. The guidelines deal with the standard cases and do not cover cases that are more complicated and that warrant clarification with the authorities. Please note that rules and regulations are subject to change. In the event of any discrepancy, the regulations and decisions of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Customs and other official bodies will prevail. If you have any further questions, please feel free to consult with your Aliyah Shaliach.

IMPORTANT: We have presented you with this summary in order to help clarify your status. This does not in any way guarantee that you will be recognized as a Katin/a Chozer/et.

Click here to read the Information Booklet for Students:
Who are “Returning Minors” and “Citizens Born Abroad”