If you are moving to Israel, you have come to the right place. NY International Shipping, an overseas moving company owned and managed by a family with Israeli roots, offers the expertise and services necessary to help you move from your current home back to Israel. As you are probably in the early stages of planning moving to Israel, NY International Shipping has created this helpful overview on what to expect when moving to Israel or returning to Israel as well as how to find the right overseas moving company. If after reading this you have any questions or would like to get a quote for moving to Israel, contact NY International Shipping directly at 212.267.7447 or through our online contact form.
What to Expect When Returning to Israel
Due to the country’s desire to the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption thoroughly supports and makes it simple for Israeli citizens overseas to maintain a connection with their family in Israel as well to offer assistance and counsel for those in the process of moving to Israel. Contact your local Israeli Consulate with any questions or to discuss the following information in detail. This information is merely provided as a guide.
Criteria to be considered a returning Israeli citizen:
·Has lived overseas for a minimum of 2 years, with the exception of scientists and entrepreneurs who must have been overseas for a minimum of 3 years
·Is over 17 years of age
·Has stayed in Israel for no more than 4 collective months per year while living overseas
·During the five years prior to moving to Israel, neither you, your spouse or one of your parents has been employed by the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization or by the State of Israel.
Who does not qualify for assistance by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption:
·Someone who has already received assistance when moving to Israel
·Anyone who still holds valid immigration rights. They shall then receive assistance in accordance with the remainder of the time they hold these rights.
The Period during Which One is Eligible for Assistance:
·12 months from when moving to Israel is complete.
·24 months for artists and entrepreneurs.
·Customs privileges lasts for 9 months after moving to Israel.
·Time spent during military service is not considered when calculating the period of eligibility or visits made while overseas.
Assistance Provided:
El Al flight discounts when moving to Israel permanently. Contact your Israeli Consulate.
All passengers over the age of 2 may bring excess baggage on their flight with El Al without additional charges. El Al will determine the total weight allowed.
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption will provide employment assistance after moving to Israel for those seeking employment.
Assured income will be provided for up to 3 continuous months for those registered with the Employment Service while looking for work.
Anyone studying an approved program (retraining, professional training, licensing, etc) will be able to get assured income during the duration of the course.
One may receive a refund on licensing fees after moving to Israel up to a certain amount.
For courses that are not conducted by the Ministries of Absorption and Labor that increase a participant’s chances of finding employment, one may receive assistant with tuition fees.
Artists should contact the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption to find out what assistance they can receive. You may be able to receive a grant for professional tools/equipment, assistance in increasing public interest in the artist, special art courses and assistance with tuition fees.
Entrepreneurs can acquire assistance from small business centers (MATI).
The Process to Acquire Assistance:
Contact the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption to speak to a coordinator for returning citizens moving to Israel to receive a Returning Resident Certificate.
Complete forms and attach copies of necessary documents.
Open a new bank account to receive assistance payments.
Enroll with Employment Services to receive income assistance.
Requires Documents to Acquire Assistance:
Passports for both spouses which prove an overseas stay of more than 2 years.
Court documentation authorizing that the children are being legally held as well as notarized declaration from the spouse declaring that they approve of the children moving to Israel (in the case of divorce).
Notarized declaration allowing the children to move to Israel is required if parents are moving to Israel separately or are legally separated but do not have court documents.
The Ministry of Immigration Absorption has provided the following contact information:
For those with children ages 17-18 currently living in the US but planning on moving to Israel, the Garin Sabra Project provides preparation for children who wish to serve in the Israeli army after moving to Israel. Children will be organized into groups by the “Sabra” scouts movement and receive adequate preparation for moving to Israel. Once in Israel, the groups will become a part of the kibbutzim and each child will live with a host kibbutzim family. The kibbutz stay will last 3 months, during which each participant will enjoy social events, physical activity, studies and work on kibbutz. Towards the end of the 3 month period, individuals will receive a visit from army representatives who will detail service options. At the conclusion of the kibbutz period, individuals will be conscripted and begin military service. The kibbutz will continue to host them during their service.
“Israel Houses” Project:
This is a Ministry of Absorption project which is organized through the coordination of the Foreign Ministry, Israeli embassies and consulates abroad. “Israel Houses” provides a Hebrew-speaking environment in which Israelis to celebrate their Israeli identity and heritage by participating in Israeli social activities and holidays.
They offer:
holiday parties
Hebrew story telling
lectures by members of the media
literature and economy
performances by Israeli artists
screening of Israeli films
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“Israel Houses” provide a supportive environment for Israelis considering returning to Israel. The coordinator at your local “Israel House” is a valuable resource when planning moving to Israel for your return. There are 10 “Israel Houses” operating around the world:
USA: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Europe: Paris
What an Experienced Overseas Moving Company Looks Like
If you’re moving to Israel you want to make sure that you use an experienced, trustworthy overseas moving company that will be able to assist you in every step of planning and executing moving to Israel. Find a company that specializes solely in overseas moving, especially for relocations such as moving to Israel. Find a company with years of experience, the right certifications/licenses and a solid network of international moving agents. For example, see NY International Shipping’s profile:
Family-owned overseas moving business with over a decade of experience relocating customers worldwide
Licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
FREE consultations with a relocation specialist to assist you in planning your move to Israel
Competitive rates in the industry
Many referrals available to share from satisfied customers scattered across the globe
Worldwide network of reliable shipping agents allows us to move clients smoothly from and to any location worldwide
Dedicated staff of overseas moving professionals who hold excellent customer service as a top priority
Exclusive ownership of a fully secured, environmentally-controlled warehouse facility available to clients who wish to store goods before or after moving to Israel.
When reviewing information comparing overseas moving companies, try following the tips below:
1.Ask for referrals from past clients. Established overseas moving companies with experience coordinating moving to Israel should have referrals from satisfied clients they have serviced in the past.
2.Check third-party review sites that allow past clients to rate and review companies and their services. This will give you an honest look at how each company really treats their clients.
3.Visit each company’s physical office, never dealing with a company that does not have one. This way you can see how the company handles customer service and their business in person.
4.Perform an apples-to-apples comparison of the top overseas moving companies you are considering. You can do this by comparing quotes from the overseas moving companies you are considering using the exact same shipping method to ship the same volume from and to the same destinations.
Moving to Israel for your return can be a wonderfully positive experience with the right overseas moving company. If you would like more information or wish to begin scheduling moving to Israel, contact NY International Shipping by phone at [number] or through our online contact form.
