Your personal companion for aliyah and life in Israel, step by step.

Who is eligible to make aliyah?

The Law of Return covers anyone with at least one Jewish parent or grandparent, converts (all major streams), and their spouses. A Jewish father or grandfather makes you fully eligible for aliyah and all benefits — only the Rabbinate (marriage/burial) treats the maternal line differently. Habaita maps your exact document chain once you tell it your basis.

My partner isn't Jewish — can they come?

Yes, there are paths. Married spouses are covered by the Law of Return. Unmarried partners use the partner-visa route (gradual process through Misrad HaPnim) — note there is no civil marriage inside Israel; many couples marry abroad (e.g. Cyprus or Utah online). Tell the AI Guide your situation and it plans the exact route.

Can I start aliyah while already in Israel?

Yes — it's called Shinui Ma'amad (status change) through Misrad HaPnim, done from inside Israel on a tourist or other visa. Different office and file than the from-abroad route, same oleh benefits once approved. The app builds the in-Israel version of the roadmap when you say you're already here.

How long does the aliyah process take?

Typically 4–9 months from starting your documents to landing, driven mostly by document gathering: background checks with apostilles can take 8–16 weeks alone (US FBI checks are the slowest). Start the longest documents first — that's exactly how your roadmap orders them.

What is an apostille and why do I keep hearing about it?

An apostille is an international certification stamp that makes your home-country documents legally valid in Israel. Birth certificates, background checks and marriage certificates all need one, each from the issuing country's designated authority — and only THEN translated. Your document tracker shows the exact office per country.

Nefesh B'Nefesh or the Jewish Agency — which one is for me?

Nefesh B'Nefesh coordinates aliyah for olim from the US, Canada and the UK (free, with grants and a case worker). Everyone else goes through the Jewish Agency (Sochnut) and its local shlichim. Habaita points you at the right one based on your country — never both blindly.

Which documents will I need?

The core file: valid passport, apostilled birth certificate, proof of Jewishness for your qualifying line (letters, ketubah, records), an apostilled criminal background check (required since Nov 2024, valid ~6 months), passport photos — plus marriage/divorce certificates where relevant. Your Key Documents tracker builds the personalized list and tracks what you have. Validity rules last reviewed July 2026 — confirm current requirements on gov.il.

What benefits do new olim actually get?

The big ones: Sal Klita (absorption basket, ~₪21,000+ for a single, more for families, paid over 6 months), 5 months of free ulpan Hebrew, up to 90% arnona (municipal tax) discount in year one, customs exemptions, a 10-year tax exemption on foreign income, and reduced university tuition. Your Money dashboard shows which apply to you, with amounts and deadlines. Figures last reviewed July 2026 — verify current amounts on gov.il.

How much money do I need for the move?

Plan for the flight and shipping, a rental deposit (often 2–3 months up front), and a runway until income starts — the Home screen's cost calculator gives you a personalized total for your household and city, next to the benefits that offset it. Money tight? Sal Klita exists exactly for this; say so in onboarding and the roadmap prioritizes accordingly. Figures last reviewed July 2026 — verify current amounts on gov.il.

What does Habaita actually do for me?

It turns your situation — eligibility, country, family, timeline — into a personalized step-by-step roadmap with deadlines, exact offices and costs, tracks your documents, and gives you an AI guide that knows your file for the questions in between. As things change, tell it and the plan re-plans.

Yes — the roadmap, guides and AI guidance are free. Later we'll add optional paid 1:1 advisor sessions for people who want a human on the hard parts; the free core stays free.

What languages are supported?

Habaita supports Hebrew, English, German, French, and Russian. You can change the language anytime from the menu.

Is my personal information safe?

Your answers are used only to personalize your roadmap and are never sold. Contact details stay private. You can reset your data or delete your account entirely from Profile → Settings at any time.

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