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In depth
The Law of Return (1950, amended 1970) is the Israeli law that grants the right of immigration (aliyah) and automatic Israeli citizenship to Jews, their children, grandchildren, and spouses. It is the foundational CBD law of Israel.
Under the Law of Return, anyone who is Jewish (by birth or conversion) is eligible for Israeli citizenship upon arrival in Israel (or upon application at an Israeli consulate abroad). The law also extends to children and grandchildren of Jews (who may not themselves be Jewish).
The Law of Return is administered by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israeli Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim). Processing time is typically 3-9 months. Israel permits dual citizenship.
Related terms
Aliyah is the Hebrew term for Jewish immigration to Israel, the process by which Jews and their descendants claim Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return.
Misrad HaPnim (Ministry of Interior) is the Israeli government ministry that processes Israeli citizenship applications and issues Israeli identity documents.
The Jewish Agency for Israel is the organization that processes aliyah applications and confirms eligibility under the Law of Return.
The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is the Indian document granting lifelong residency and most economic rights to persons of Indian origin, in lieu of full dual citizenship.
PIO (Person of Indian Origin) was a card for persons of Indian origin, merged into the OCI scheme in 2015.
A koseki is the Japanese family registry, the official record of family relationships that serves as proof of Japanese citizenship.