Center of Life \ Place of Residence during immigration

When immigrating – or proving that you don’t wish to immigrate – to another country, it’s important to establish your place of residence (Center of Life, in Israeli parlance). If you wish to obtain a temporary work or study visa in the US, Canada or other countries, you may be required to prove you aren’t going to illegally settle in said country, as your “center of life” lies elsewhere. Conversely, if you wish, for example, to obtain status as the spouse of a foreign citizen, you will generally be required to move to said citizen’s country, and prove that your next place of permanent residence is now there.

Center of Life refers not just to a literal place of business, but other connections that make someone a part of a community, such as their occupation, family, and financial interests. Different countries have different specific definitions and conditions. For example, proving your center of life in Israel is significantly different from doing the same in the United States and Canada. Below, we will discuss these countries’ expectations. 

Israel: 

In order to be considered an Israeli citizen, your center of life must be in Israel. To examine whether the “center of life” is truly in Israel, the individual must take and pass two separate tests. 

• Objective test: The individual’s place of residence is actually in Israel, his occupation is in Israel, he owns a property in Israel, etc. 
• Subjective: The individual whole-heartedly believes that this place is the center of his/her life. 

However, the individual may still be considered an Israeli citizen if they choose to go abroad temporarily (for example to study, visit, or work abroad for some time). They must still have their center of life in Israel, though. The National Insurance Institute will consider a person as an Israel resident for up to the first five years that followed his leave from Israel. 

A previous Israel resident who plans to move back must:

Before arrival in Israel you can fill out the online Declaration Form to be considered a returning resident. The form is to be completed 30 days before your arrival in Israel. You can only fill our the form if you plan to reside permanently in Israel, and have indicated that you are transferring your center of life back to Israel from your abroad country.

If you did not submit the form before your arrival, upon arrival you can settle residency by doing one of two things:

1. If you lived abroad for five years, or were given a “returning minor” or “immigrant” permit, you must submit a short-track residency request at the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption. 
2. Upon your arrival to Israel, fill out a questionnaire to determine residency for a returning citizen and submit it to the National Insurance Institute. Attach documentation proving the end of your center of life abroad (for example, releasing the property or quitting the job) and documentation that Israel has become your new center of life (for example, purchasing a new property and home).
   

United States:

In order to prove your center of life is in the United States, there are a few things you need to submit and do. Firstly, the individual has to establish that they are abroad for a temporary period for work. They also have to intend to keep their center of life in the United States, and they maintain their connections to the US. To do so, there are several documents and evidence to submit:

Documents and purchases used to prove: 

The individual must submit their voting record in the US It is also necessary to submit documentation showing that US local or state taxes were paid. The individual must maintain property (home) with a permanent mailing address in the country. They must also have accounts such as banks or investments in the United States. They must submit documentation showing the government abroad has authorized a temporary visit along with documentation showing that the individual was studying/working overseas.

Canada:

Proofs of residency documents must:

• Be original (paper or electronic version)

• Include the name and applicable address of the person

Acceptable proof of residency documents:

• Delivery Notice Card completed by one of delivery employees indicating the name and address (accepted for call for items only)

• Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions or Québec Pension Plan Statement of Participation

• Major credit card statement with the related valid credit card

• Your most recent income tax assessment

• Bank statement

• Government cheque or cheque stub with the person’s name and address

• School, college, or university report card or transcript

• Hotel confirmation (email, receipt, or invoice)

• Statement of Employment Insurance benefits paid (T4E)

• Residential lease (rental agreement lease), mortgage statement, or Agreement of Purchase and Sale

• Canada Child Tax Benefit statement

• Insurance policy

• Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) or of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4AP)

• Vehicle ownership or insurance document

• Statement of benefits from provincial Workplace Safety or Insurance Board

• Municipal tax notice

• Statement of direct deposit for Provincial Works or Provincial Disability Support Program

• Recent utility bill (telephone, cable, hydro/power, gas, or water)

• Attestation of residence issued by the responsible authorities (shelters, soup kitchens, student or senior residence, long-term care facilities, Indigenous reserves, work camps)

• Private Post Office Box Rental Agreement (for example, a UPS Agreement)

If you cannot submit any of the photo identification, you can provide two documents from the accepted proof of residency list above AND one of the following government issues non-photo identification items:

• Birth certificate

• Baptismal certificate

• Health card without a photo (where permitted)

• Veterans Affairs Canada health card

• Any other acceptable identification that’s listed in our policies

 :  :

03-3724722

055-9781688

office@lawoffice.org.il