The civil registry office in Kherson is destroyed. The archives in Mariupol burned down. And the Ministry of Justice in Kyiv has a month-long queue for apostilles. You want to make aliyah - but how do you collect documents when your country is at war? Since February 2022, Israel has introduced special concessions for Ukrainians, and some of them are still in effect. Let’s break down what you can submit after arrival, what’s still mandatory upfront, and how emergency aliyah actually works in 2026.
How wartime concessions for aliyah came about¶
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews found themselves in a situation where the standard aliyah procedure was physically impossible. Getting an apostille on documents? Weeks-long queues. Obtaining a criminal record clearance during active combat? Good luck. Getting to a consulate while your city is under shelling? Not happening.
Israel responded fast. In early March 2022, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked announced a series of concessions for applicants from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus:
- Apostille requirement waived - documents didn’t need the Hague Convention stamp
- Criminal record clearance waived - it was physically impossible to obtain during active hostilities
- Aliyah claims accepted directly at Ben Gurion Airport - through the Nativ agency (Hebrew: נתיב), without a prior consular check in Ukraine
- Simplified process for split families - when the husband can’t leave due to mobilization, the wife and children can still go
In the first year of war, thousands of Ukrainian families arrived in Israel through this pathway. According to the Jewish Agency, 2022 was a record year for new immigrants from Ukraine in recent decades. Here’s the striking part: it was a record despite the fact that men aged 18-60 couldn’t leave the country.
Which documents you can submit after arriving in Israel¶
Here’s what actually changed for Ukrainians. Standard aliyah requires you to collect all documents BEFORE your consular interview and BEFORE departure. For the full guide on standard requirements, see Aliyah from Ukraine: Documents, Translation and Apostille. Emergency aliyah works differently.
Documents NOT required at the time of departure¶
| Document | Standard aliyah | Emergency aliyah for Ukrainians |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal record clearance | Required before departure | Can be submitted after arrival |
| Apostille on documents | Required before departure | Can be submitted later |
| Notarized translation with apostille | Required | Can be done in Israel |
| Double apostille | Required | Deferred |
According to ELAL LAW, these documents aren’t needed for the initial repatriation application - but they must be provided “at the earliest opportunity.” So it’s not a cancellation of the requirement - it’s a deferral. You still have to submit them, just not at the moment you cross the border.
Documents you MUST have with you¶
Even during emergency aliyah, some documents are needed right away:
- International passport - valid, ideally with at least 1-2 years remaining. No apostille needed on passports
- Documents proving Jewish ancestry - birth certificates with a “nationality” field, relatives’ marriage certificates, archival extracts. This is the main thing - without them, Nativ can’t confirm your right to aliyah
- Birth certificate - at least the original or a duplicate. In extreme cases, a copy or a photo on your phone
One woman shared her experience on the Evacuation.City portal: “Usually you need a lot of documents for aliyah. But right now there’s a simplified process for Ukrainians. I was able to confirm my right to citizenship with just photos on my phone.” That’s a real case - but relying only on phone photos is risky. The more originals you bring, the higher your chances of quick processing.
What to do about documents left behind in Ukraine¶
If originals were lost or destroyed due to fighting - it’s not the end. There are several paths:
- Order duplicates through RACS (civil registry) - if the office is operational, a duplicate birth certificate takes a few weeks. From abroad, you can work through an authorized representative or through the consulate
- Contact archives - regional archives and central state archives (TsDAVO, TsDIAK) may have copies of civil records
- Establish facts through court - a court ruling establishing the fact of birth or marriage is an official document that can be apostilled
- Use alternative evidence - photos, letters, cemetery records, testimony from relatives already living in Israel
For more detail on restoring documents, see what to do if Ukrainian documents were destroyed or lost due to the war.
Nativ at Ben Gurion Airport: how it works for Ukrainians¶
Nativ (Hebrew: נתיב) is a unit under the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office that handles verification of repatriation rights. In peacetime, Nativ works through consulates in applicants’ home countries. But during the war, its office at Ben Gurion Airport became the key entry point for emergency aliyah.
Where to find it and what to do¶
The Nativ desk is located in Terminal 3, ground floor, to the left before passport control. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- You arrive at Ben Gurion - don’t go through passport control right away
- Go to the Nativ desk - tell them you’re claiming the right to repatriation under the Law of Return
- Present your documents - everything you have: passport, certificates, any proof of Jewish ancestry. Keep them in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage
- Go through an interview - a Nativ representative reviews your documents and asks about your family tree
- Get a preliminary decision - if your documents are convincing, you’re sent to the next stage of processing
What happens after verification¶
If Nativ confirms your right:
- You’re directed to representatives of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration right there in the airport
- You receive a Teudat Oleh (Hebrew: תעודת עולה) - a new immigrant ID
- An Israeli SIM card
- Your first payment from the absorption basket (Hebrew: סל קליטה)
- A free taxi to your place of residence
If your documents aren’t sufficient, they may let you into the country on a tourist visa with the condition that you provide the missing documents to the Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim) within a set timeframe. This isn’t a rejection - it’s a chance to gather the paperwork while you’re already in Israel.
Who can use emergency aliyah through the airport¶
As of July 1, 2023, emergency aliyah through Nativ at the airport is available only for Ukrainian citizens. For Russians and Belarusians, this option was closed (except for people aged 80+, people with disabilities, and the seriously ill).
That means Ukrainians are the only group for whom the airport procedure works in full. It’s a direct recognition of the fact that for citizens of a country at war, the standard procedure is often impossible.
Split families: when one parent stays in Ukraine¶
Ukraine’s presidential decree on general mobilization prohibits men aged 18-60 from leaving the country (with some exceptions - fathers of three or more children under 18, legal guardians, etc.). This created a situation where thousands of families are split: the mother and children can leave, but the father can’t.
How Israel addressed this¶
The Israeli Ministry of Interior allowed issuing repatriation visas to family members even when the person through whom Jewish ancestry is established remains in Ukraine. Here’s how it works:
- A Jewish man’s wife can apply for aliyah with their children while the husband stays in Ukraine
- Children of a Jewish person can travel with one parent
- Grandchildren of a Jewish person qualify - as long as one parent or grandparent confirms the lineage
For this, you’ll need:
- A notarized consent from the other parent for the children to travel (if it’s possible to arrange)
- Documents explaining the reason for the other parent’s absence (for example, a certificate confirming military registration)
- Aliyah documents for those who are traveling - birth certificates, marriage certificate, proof of Jewish heritage
This is a temporary measure tied to martial law, and it’s formally in effect until the end of hostilities. If the father can leave later, he’ll apply for aliyah separately - already having a wife and children with Israeli citizenship.
What changed since 2024 and where things stand now¶
The wartime concessions haven’t stayed the same. Israel has been gradually restoring standard requirements while keeping key concessions for Ukrainians. Here’s the timeline.
March 2022 - concessions begin¶
- Full waiver of the apostille requirement
- Full waiver of the criminal record clearance requirement
- Emergency aliyah opened for everyone - Ukraine, Russia, Belarus
- Processing in 7-25 days instead of the standard 8-12 months
July 2023 - partial closure¶
- Emergency airport aliyah closed for Russians and Belarusians
- For Ukrainians - remains fully available
January 2024 - some requirements return¶
As of January 1, 2024, the Israeli Ministry of Interior partially restored standard requirements:
- Original documents - required again (copies and phone photos no longer accepted as primary evidence)
- Apostille - required again on documents issued after 1991
- Criminal record clearance - required again, with apostille, valid for 6 months
But here’s the nuance. In practice, Ukrainians can still do the initial submission without an apostille and without a criminal record clearance - on the condition that they’ll provide these documents later. It’s no longer an official “concession” but rather Nativ’s working practice that accounts for the ongoing war.
The situation in 2026¶
As of March 2026:
| What | Status |
|---|---|
| Emergency aliyah through the airport | Active - for Ukrainians only |
| Apostille on documents | Formally required, deferral possible in practice |
| Criminal record clearance | Formally required, can be submitted after arrival |
| Expedited document processing | 7-25 days instead of 8-12 months |
| Split families | Concessions still in effect |
| Collective protection (not aliyah) | Extended until March 31, 2026 |
A practical recommendation: prepare as many documents as you can in advance. Yes, you can technically fly in with the bare minimum - but the more paperwork you have in hand, the faster your processing goes. An apostille costs 670 UAH (~$16) per document and takes 3 business days. A notarized translation into English in Ukraine runs 250-400 UAH per page (~$6-10). In Israel, those same services will cost you 3-5 times more.
Collective protection vs. aliyah - don’t confuse them¶
People mix these two statuses up all the time. They’re completely different things.
Aliyah (repatriation)¶
- For Jews, children and grandchildren of Jews, and their spouses - under the Law of Return
- Gives you full Israeli citizenship - permanently
- Absorption basket (Sal Klita) - 30,000-40,000 shekels (~$8,000-11,000) during your first year for a family with a child
- Free ulpan (Hebrew language courses - 5 months)
- Tax benefits for several years
- Access to national insurance (Bituach Leumi)
Collective protection¶
- For ANY Ukrainian citizen, regardless of Jewish ancestry
- Temporary B/2 visa - renewed every few months
- Extended until March 31, 2026, or until the end of the war
- Allows you to live and work in Israel
- Covers roughly 20,000-25,000 Ukrainians
- No guarantee of further extensions - and that’s the main problem
If you qualify for aliyah - apply for aliyah. Collective protection is a temporary fix that can end at any time. Aliyah gives you citizenship and a full benefits package.
Step-by-step guide: aliyah from Ukraine during wartime¶
Here’s a concrete action plan if you’re in Ukraine (or abroad) and want to make aliyah.
Step 1: Gather what you can¶
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start with what you have:
- International passport (check the expiry date - at least one year)
- Birth certificate (original or duplicate)
- Jewish lineage documents - birth certificates of parents or grandparents with the “nationality” field
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Children’s birth certificates
- Photos 3x4 cm (4 per family member)
If you can - get the apostille and arrange a notarized translation. If you can’t - don’t let that stop you. It’s better to arrive with an incomplete package than to wait for months.
Step 2: Contact the Jewish Agency (Sokhnut)¶
The Jewish Agency (Sokhnut) is your first point of contact. Fill out an application online or call:
- From Israel: *2994
- From abroad: +972-3-973-3333
A coordinator will help you figure out the best path - standard aliyah through a consulate or emergency aliyah through the airport.
Step 3: Choose your path¶
Option A - standard (through a consulate): You go through a consular interview at the Israeli embassy in Kyiv or in whatever country you’re currently in. Takes longer (2-6 months) but it’s more reliable - you get your repatriation visa BEFORE departure.
Option B - emergency (through the airport): You fly to Israel and claim your right to aliyah at the Nativ desk at Ben Gurion Airport. Faster (processing takes days) but riskier - if your documents aren’t enough, they might not confirm your right immediately.
Step 4: Processing in Israel¶
After your right to aliyah is confirmed:
- You receive a Teudat Oleh (תעודת עולה) and Oleh Hadash status (עולה חדש - new immigrant)
- Open a bank account (20-30 minutes)
- Register with a health fund (Kupat Holim - קופת חולים)
- Sign up for ulpan (free Hebrew courses)
- Start receiving your absorption basket payments
Step 5: Submit the remaining documents¶
If you arrived without a full document package, you have a set period (usually a few months) to provide:
- Criminal record clearance with apostille
- Apostilled original documents
- Notarized translations of any documents that haven’t been translated yet
You can order these documents from Ukraine through an authorized representative, via Nova Poshta (which operates in several European countries), or through a consulate. You can also get translations done in Israel - but it’s significantly more expensive: 200-500 shekels per document (~$55-140) compared to 250-400 UAH (~$6-10) per page in Ukraine.
If you need document translation with notarization - ChatsControl can help with translation into English or Hebrew while preserving the original formatting. It’s particularly convenient if you’re already outside Ukraine and don’t have access to a local translator.
The cost math: Ukraine vs. Israel¶
Let’s put real numbers on this. Here’s what translation and apostille cost in Ukraine versus Israel for a typical set of 4 documents (2 birth certificates, a marriage certificate, and a criminal record clearance).
In Ukraine¶
| Item | Cost per document | Total for 4 documents |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille | 670 UAH (~$16) | 2,680 UAH (~$64) |
| Translation into English | 250-400 UAH/page (~$6-10) | 1,000-1,600 UAH (~$24-40) |
| Notarization of translation | 250-350 UAH (~$6-8) | 1,000-1,400 UAH (~$24-34) |
| Subtotal | 4,680-5,680 UAH (~$112-138) |
If you need a double apostille (apostille on the translation too), add another 2,680 UAH (~$64).
In Israel¶
| Item | Cost per document | Total for 4 documents |
|---|---|---|
| Notarized translation | 200-500 shekels (~$55-140) | 800-2,000 shekels (~$220-560) |
That’s 3-5 times more expensive for translation alone. And you still need the apostille from Ukraine anyway - Israel can’t apostille Ukrainian documents.
The takeaway: everything you can get done in Ukraine - do it in Ukraine. Even with shipping costs via Nova Poshta, you’ll save hundreds of dollars.
Meanwhile, the absorption basket (Sal Klita) for a family with a child is 30,000-40,000 shekels (~$8,000-11,000) in the first year. Your document expenses pay for themselves within the first few weeks.
The difference between types of translation - a quick note¶
This comes up often with aliyah documents, so it’s worth clarifying. There are several types of certified translation, and they’re not the same thing.
A notarized translation is done by a translator and then certified by a notary who confirms the translator’s signature. This is what Ukraine requires for apostilled translations.
A sworn translation (or “certified translation” in some countries) is done by a translator who is officially authorized by a court or government body. In some countries, the translator’s own seal and signature are sufficient - no notary needed.
For aliyah purposes, you typically need a notarized translation that can then be apostilled. If you’re getting your translation done outside Ukraine, make sure it meets the format that the Israeli authorities accept. For a deeper breakdown, check out the difference between notarized, sworn, and certified translation.
FAQ¶
Can I make aliyah without an apostille from Ukraine?¶
Technically, since January 1, 2024, an apostille is required again. But in practice, Ukrainians can still submit documents without an apostille through the emergency procedure - with the condition that the apostille will be provided later. This isn’t a guarantee - it’s Nativ’s working practice. If you can get the apostille in advance (670 UAH per document, 3 business days), do it. It’ll make the whole process significantly smoother.
Which documents can I definitely submit after arriving in Israel?¶
The two documents most commonly submitted after arrival are the criminal record clearance and apostilled translations. The criminal record clearance has a limited validity (6 months), so it makes sense to order it closer to your departure date. Apostilles on translations can be arranged through an authorized representative in Ukraine and mailed to you. For more on the differences between translation types, see the difference between notarized, sworn, and certified translation.
Is emergency aliyah still available for Ukrainians in 2026?¶
Yes. As of March 2026, emergency aliyah through Nativ at Ben Gurion Airport is available for Ukrainian citizens. For Russians and Belarusians, this option has been closed since July 2023. Conditions can change - check the latest information on the Jewish Agency website or call their hotline (+972-3-973-3333).
What if my documents were destroyed in the war?¶
If originals were lost due to fighting, you have several options: order duplicates through RACS, contact regional or central archives (TsDAVO, TsDIAK), or establish facts through a court ruling. Israeli consuls are aware of the situation and are willing to consider alternative evidence. For the full breakdown, see restoring documents destroyed during the war.
What’s the difference between collective protection and aliyah?¶
Collective protection is a temporary status for any Ukrainian citizen (Jewish ancestry not required). It gives you a B/2 visa, lets you live and work in Israel, but gets renewed every few months and could be canceled. Aliyah is full repatriation with citizenship, an absorption basket (30,000-40,000 shekels for a family), ulpan, and permanent status. If you have the right to aliyah - choose aliyah.
Can a wife with children make aliyah if the husband can’t leave Ukraine?¶
Yes. Israel specifically addressed this situation. If the husband can’t leave due to mobilization, the wife can apply for aliyah with the children. You’ll need a notarized consent from the father for the children to travel (if possible to arrange), documents explaining his absence, and the standard aliyah documents for those who are traveling. The husband can apply for aliyah separately once he’s able to leave - and by then, his family will already have Israeli citizenship.
How long does emergency aliyah processing take?¶
Through the emergency airport procedure, processing takes 7-25 days - compared to 8-12 months for the standard process. The actual time depends on how complete your documents are and how many people are in the queue. Having more documents ready means faster processing.
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