Coming to Israel without Ben Mehagrim Status

This article addresses coming to Israel without ben mehagrim status. Ben mehagrim refers to an official status of children of Israeli citizens who grew up abroad. (We provide more information on what it is to be a ben mehagrim or bat mehagrim and yelid chul in our article entitled “What Is a Ben Mehagrim.”) 

Coming to Israel without Ben Mehagrim Status

We are often asked what people should do if they have not registered for ben mehagrim status but wish to come to Israel. The quick answer is, if you are 17 or have received your first draft order, you should not come to Israel without first registering for ben mehagrim status at an Israeli consulate or otherwise arranging your status with the IDF. Legally, you intended to register for military service or arrange an exemption as the child of emigrants by the age of 17.

If you do come to Israel without this status, you may be confronted at the airport for being absent from military service without leave, which is a crime, and can be prosecuted, possibly facing time in prison. 

If you are in Israel without ben mehagrim status and seek legal assistance due to confrontation on this issue with Israeli security, contact a lawyer immediately.

Additional articles of interest

We provide information on the issue of ben mehagrim on our website for the convenience of our clients. This includes what is a ben mehagrim, how many days a year a ben mehagrim can visit Israel, how to choose a ben mehagrim lawyer, and who is eligible for a military service exemption. 

Contact Us

If you are coming to Israel without ben mehagrim status and you have not registered for this status or have missed your first draft order, contact a lawyer immediately. Our law office specializes in these sorts of cases, and we would be happy to help you. Advocate Joshua Pex specializes in Israeli immigration law and helping with ben mehagrim status, and he would be happy to assist you as well.

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03-3724722

055-9781688

office@lawoffice.org.il