Rights of Israeli Citizens to Obtain and Renew Passports

In 20 January 2006 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a consular official from the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa stated that Israeli citizens who were born in Israel to Israeli citizens may receive a passport upon birth. Foreign nationals who acquired Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return are eligible for a passport only after having resided in Israel for one year (Israel 20 Jan. 2006).

Israeli citizens are required to obtain an Israeli passport if they wish to exit or enter the country (ibid. n.d.a). Israelis whose expired passports have been issued within the past 10 years can have their passports renewed, while Israelis whose passports are full (of visas, stamps, etc.), lost, stolen, or mutilated, or whose expired passports had first been issued more than 10 years before, can have their passports replaced (ibid.). In addition, Israelis who have never had an Israeli passport or who need to update the photo in their minor child's passport, can obtain a new passport (ibid. n.d.b). Further information on the rights of Israeli citizens to obtain and renew passports could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.

Rights of Israeli Refugee Claimants to Obtain and Renew Passports

Citizens of Israel who seek to obtain refugee status in another country will not have their passports extended "without prior approval of the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel" (ibid. 20 Jan. 2006). Refugee claimants are not eligible to receive a new Israeli passport (ibid.). During a 24 January 2006 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a consular official from the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa stated that Israeli citizens whose refugee claims are rejected would be issued a one-way travel document.

One-Way Travel Document

Israeli citizens who, for whatever reason, are not entitled to an Israeli passport, can obtain a "one-time travel document," valid for seven days ["only in places which have direct flights to Israel" (ibid. n.d.c)], in order to return to Israel (ibid. 20 Jan. 2006). In order to obtain the one-way travel document, Israelis must present themselves to the nearest Israeli mission where they must submit: two photographs, a completed copy of the "[r]egistration form for an Israeli national abroad" as well as the "[a]pplication form for a passport or travel document," and an administrative fee (ibid. n.d.c). Once in Israel, they must go to the Ministry of Interior to apply for the renewal of their passport (ibid. 24 Jan. 2006). Although each case is dealt with separately, the Ministry of the Interior can choose not to issue a new passport in cases where one sought to obtain refugee status abroad; in this case, a "travel document in lieu of a passport" may instead be issued, so that the holder may exit Israel if they wish (ibid.).

Travel Document in Lieu of a Passport

Israeli citizens who cannot obtain a passport for various reasons can obtain a "travel document in lieu of a passport" (ibid.). These documents carry a dark blue cover and are issued for a period of one year (United States 25 Aug. 2005). Israeli holders of the "travel document in lieu of a passport" require a visa to enter certain countries, such as Canada (Canada 10 May 2004) and the United Kingdom (United Kingdom 4 Mar. 2003). However, further information on the traveling rights of the Israeli holder of a "travel document in lieu of a passport" could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Canada. 10 May 2004. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). "Countries and Territories Whose Citizens Require Visas in Order to Enter Canada as Visitors." http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

Israel. 24 January 2006. Embassy of Israel in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a consular official.

_____. 20 January 2006. Embassy of Israel in Ottawa. Correspondence sent by a consular official.

_____. N.d.a. Consulate General of Israel in New York. "Passports and Other Travel Documents." http://www.israelfm.org/consular/passport.htm [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

_____. N.d.b. Embassy of Israel, Consular Section, Washington, DC. "National Passport & Travel Document in lieu of a National Passport." http://www.israelemb.org/ConsularTravelDoc.html [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

_____. N.d.c. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Travel Documents." http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About%20the%20Ministry/Consular%20affairs/TRAVEL%20DOCUMENTS [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

United Kingdom (UK). 4 March 2003. UK Visas. "Annex 4.1: Travel Documents Issued by Foreign Countries to Refugee or Stateless Persons." Diplomatic Service Procedures: Entry Clearance Volume 1 - General Instructions. http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1037022858215 [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

United States. 25 August 2005. United States Department of State. "Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip." Reciprocity Schedule. http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/Country%20Folder/I/Israel_etc.htm [Accessed 24 Jan. 2006]

Additional Sources Consulted

Publications: Travel Information Manual (TIM), February 2006.

Internet Sites, including: Consulat général d'Israël à Paris, Embassy of Israel in Ottawa, Factiva, Israel Ministry of Interior.