Status for the foreign spouse or partner of an Israeli citizen or permanent resident
graduated procedure · Official name: Application to obtain a legal status in Israel by virtue of a marital relationship with an Israeli citizen or permanent resident
An Israeli citizen or permanent resident who is married to, or in a common-law relationship with, a foreign national can apply for status for the partner through a 'graduated procedure'. The partner is given temporary permits in stages (A/5 temporary residence during the procedure) while PIBA checks the relationship is sincere, real and exclusive and that the couple lives in Israel. Applications are made online with all documents attached; incomplete applications are rejected. Fees apply, with a waiver procedure (5.1.0003). Married spouses of citizens who become permanent residents can later apply to naturalise.
Life in Israel
Finance
3
Currency
Israeli New Shekel
ILS
Israeli New Shekel
Cost of living
106
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–47%
Income tax (national)
VAT 18% · social security 12%
Plus a 3% surtax on income above ILS 721,560 a year (top combined rate on earnings 50%); the 2025 budget raised the surtax to 5% (reported by the IMF), and brackets are frozen for 2025-2027.
Living
1
Happiness
#8 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Foreign spouses (including same-sex spouses) and common-law partners of Israeli citizens or permanent residents who intend to live together in Israel.
Eligibility
Genuine relationship
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe relationship must be sincere, real and exclusive, and the couple must aim to live together in Israel.
SponsorIsraeli partner
Sign in to check this route against your profileAn Israeli citizen or permanent resident with an up-to-date residential address in the population registry.
Relationship type
Sign in to check this route against your profileSeparate tracks for common-law couples and for marriage (marriage to foreign citizens, El Salvador marriage, same-sex marriage).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- gov.il (PIBA) - Application to obtain a legal status in Israel by virtue of a marital relationship with an Israeli citizen or permanent resident
- gov.il (PIBA) - Apply for status after the end of the spousal relationship due to domestic violence
- gov.il (PIBA) - Regularize legal status after divorce from an Israeli citizen
- gov.il (PIBA) - Apply to be naturalized for permanent residents who are married to Israeli citizens
