By Eli Birnbaum
The Jewish Agency offers most olim assistance towards the cost of travel to Israel according to the following general guidelines:
- New olim, returning minors or Israeli citizens born abroad can receive assistance towards travel costs in the form of a grant.
- In cases of new olim married to Israelis, assistance is offered to the oleh only, provided that the couple has no children born overseas. If the couple does have children born overseas, assistance is extended to the entire family.
An oleh who travels to Israel at his own expense is usually not entitled to a reimbursement. Tourists and temporary residents (A1) who change status in Israel are also generally not entitled to a reimbursement, except under certain specific conditions and with the permission of the Appeals Committee of the Aliyah Department. Note that assistance towards travel costs is available only for the first time that the oleh travels to Israel. An oleh who leaves Israel within 3 years, and stays abroad for 6 months or more, may be able to receive assistance provided that he did not obtain it for his first journey, or repaid the balance owed to the Jewish Agency.