Seeking asylum in Israel

If you have left your home country because of fear of being persecuted or other serious threats to your life or freedom and you cannot or do not want to return to that country, you may seek international protection by applying for asylum in Israel. 

The asylum procedure is not meant for people who wish to come to Israel or regularize or extend their stay in Israel for reasons of employment, studies, medical treatment or any other non-refugee related matters. 

If you are in need of protection and you have applied for asylum in Israel, you are protected against deportation until a final decision is taken on your application.  

If your application is accepted, you will receive a recognition letter that either recognizes you as a refugee or gives you humanitarian status. 

If you have valid reasons for seeking asylum, you must submit your application together with all your family members as soon as possible after you arrive in Israel. 

If you entered Israel without authorization or documents, you must present yourself to the authorities without delay. If you are already in Israel and cannot safely return to your country because of events that occurred since your departure, you can also apply for asylum. 

As of June 2020, applications for asylum must be submitted online.

• Access the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) application form
  Fill in the required information (mandatory fields are marked with *) and press SEND.
• The RSD form is written in English. You must complete the RSD form in either English, Hebrew or Arabic
• After you submit your online asylum application, you will receive an SMS with a date and time to go to the Ministry of Interior office (The Population, Immigration and Border Authority) in Bnei Brak to complete the application and registration process.
• Visit the Government’s Apply for asylum in Israel | Population and Immigration Authority (www.gov.il) for more information
• If you are in an Immigration Detention Facility such as Givon or Yahalom, ask a Ministry of Interior representative for access to a laptop computer to submit the application form online.

Please note that according to the asylum regulation, you must apply for asylum within ONE YEAR of arrival in Israel.
If you are not able to meet this requirement, you will have to provide sufficient justification for the delay in applying.
If you have questions or require assistance filling out the online application form, visit the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants during their reception hours.

Yes. Each person over the age of 18 needs to submit their own form. This is very important!

You do not need a lawyer to submit an asylum application.  You have the right, however, to have a lawyer of your choice at your own cost during all stages of the asylum procedure.

Beware of fraudsters

Beware of fake lawyers and of law firms offering to help asylum-seekers to get refugee status for very high fees. You should also beware of criminal organizations that promise immigration and employment opportunities in Western European countries, Canada, Australia, the USA or elsewhere, in exchange for large sums of money.

• Do not put your lives into the hands of these ruthless fraudsters.
• Do not believe them.
• Do not fall victim to their scams.

Free legal advice and other types of assistance and support to asylum-seekers are offered by a number of NGOs, including those working in partnership with UNHCR, and other civil society organizations in Israel.

If you are in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, the following organizations can help you fill out your RSD form:

• Tel Aviv: Hotline for Refugees and Migrants
• Jerusalem: Jerusalem African Community Center (JACC)

After you submit your RSD form, you will receive an SMS with a date and time to arrive at the Ministry of Interior in Bnei Brak to complete the registration process.

After you are registered, you will then receive an appointment for a Refugee Status Determination interview at the Ministry of Interior RSD Office in Lod.

If you have more questions about the RSD process, visit the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants during their reception hours.

During the RSD interview you are expected to:

• fully cooperate
• tell the truth as best you can
• Submit any documents you may have that support your claim

Anything you say during the interview is strictly confidential. You are therefore expected to respond in detail to all the questions and provide all relevant information to your case.  Your statements must be truthful and accurate.  Your application may be refused if you attempt to hide the truth or make false statements.
If you do not remember certain facts, it is better to say you do not remember than to make something up.

If you need an interpreter for your interview, you can request this from the authorities, who will provide you with one free of charge. If you cannot understand the interpreter, you must tell the interviewer immediately.

If you have reasons to prefer a female or male interviewer and interpreter, you can request this. Make sure that you indicate these in your RSD form at the time of submitting your application.

You should tell the interviewer if you do not feel well during your RSD interview. You can also ask for a break.

In order to change any information on your submitted RSD form, you need to contact the Ministry of Interior.
It is very important to update the Ministry of Interior with your current contact information.
You can email: [email protected]

If you are recognized as a refugee, you will be granted temporary residency in Israel –  an A5 visa (which must be renewed every year), a work permit and access to public services, such as health insurance and welfare support, the right to family reunification, and an Israeli travel document. 

If your asylum application is refused and you do not agree with the decision, you have the right to file an appeal at the Appeal Tribunal within 30 days of receiving your refusal letter.

The appeal must be submitted in Hebrew, and it is strongly recommended that you get the assistance of an attorney (if you can afford one) or a Hebrew-speaking representative.

For assistance and advice, you may visit the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants office.  Bring with you all relevant documents, such as your:

• RSD form
• Refusal letter
• Interview transcript.