Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programmes
See below a selection of countries offering residency and citizenship investment programmes.
Israel
Israel Golden Visa
Israel does not currently offer a golden visa or citizenship by investment programme similar to those offered by some other countries. Such golden visa programmes often allow individuals to obtain citizenship or residency rights through substantial investment, typically in real estate, national development funds, or local businesses.
Residency and Citizenship in Israel
Israel does offer different types of visas and residency options, which can lead to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship through naturalization. These include:
Aliyah (Jewish immigration)
Jewish individuals with documented Jewish ancestry are encouraged to make Aliyah, which is the immigration of Jews to Israel. Under the Law of Return, all Jewish persons and their immediate family members, no matter where they are born, can become Israeli citizens.
Marriage to an Israeli Citizen
By marrying an Israeli citizen, you can apply for residency and, eventually, citizenship. To apply for naturalisation, the person must be living in Israel and sharing a household with their spouse
Employment-Based Visas
Skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs may be eligible for work visas or investor visas. These visas can lead to permanent residency if certain conditions are met.
Family Reunification
If you have close family members who are Israeli citizens, you may be able to apply for residency and, later, citizenship.
Long-Term Residence
Israel has a Long-Term Resident Visa, which can be obtained after residing in the country for several years, and it allows for more extended stays.
Naturalisation for Permanent Residents
Permanent residents can also apply for naturalisation if they have resided in Israel for a minimum of three years within the previous five years leading up to their application. They must also speak some Hebrew and provide evidence they will reliquish foreign citienship upon naturalisation.
Israel Passport Strength and Ranking
If Israel were to offer a Citizenship by Investment programme, one of the attractions for applicants would be its strong passport. The Israeli passport offers visa-free access to around 172 countries worldwide. In terms of access for investors, it offers visa-free access to 52.6% of the world’s wealth (as measured by GDP) and 78.1% of the global travel popularity. It ranks 56th overall in La Vida’s comprehensive Global Passport Ranking.
