The issue of immigrating to Israel from Lebanon is quite complicated taking into account the political context these two states find themselves in.
Israel is the destination for my immigration, from Lebanon. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:
Visa and immigration categories
There is a set of different categories for Israeli immigration such as Aliyah (immigration of Jews to Israel), temporary residing permit. Work visa, student visas, and family union. Which category suits you best depends on whether you are coming for the first time, or if you want to reunite with other family members, or even just visit.
Aliyah
If you’re Jewish or have a Jewish background, the Law of Return can grant you the right to Israeli citizenship which was set to attract Jews for immigrating to Israel. When moving Aliyah comes through the formal application of the Jewish Agency or Nefesh B’Nefesh, organizations. That are available to guide Jewish immigrants as they are relocating to Israel.
Temporary residency and work visas
Aliyah is an immigration option for those who wish to permanently reside in Israel but if you are not eligible for this program then you need to apply for the respective visas. Or permanent resident permit. It will be one of the Foreign employment permit requirements paid by Israeli employers or some other prerequisites.
Documentation
Prepare all the required papers for your visa or residence permits application. Generally speaking, the applications for visas are mustered by presenting a passport, a passport-sized photo. Visa application form, proof of financial means, medical examinations, and any supplementary document required for your given visa category.
Application process
Send your visa or residency application to the nearest Israeli consulate or embassy to which you are applying. These may include an interview where you have to bring your biometric data with you along your application.
Waiting period
The approval verification and residency permit processing time in Israel can be sometimes overwhelming, so get ready to wait as your application is being examined.
Travel arrangements
And then once visa and residency permit are authorized, schedule your travel to Israel. You must have all travel documents,visa and passport well in hand.
Arrival in Israel
During the embarkation process in this nation, you’ll most likely undergo immigration control. Do not forget to have all the needed documents at hand so that Israeli immigration officers can have an easy time inspecting your documents.
Integration
Settling in this nation, due this fact, you should take steps to join your new community. This could be through enrolling in an Israeli conversation course or acquiring a basic knowledge about Israeli culture and customs, as well as seeking assistance from local support groups.
Challenges of immigration
Some of the challenges of the immigration process include:
Limited options
At present time, Lebanese citizens do not routinely receive Israeli visas for immigration goals. According to the website of the Israeli consulate Lebanon is among the countries with citizens that are prohibited from getting entry visas.
Alternatives (very limited)
Marriages/family reunification: If your closest family member is an Israeli citizen and you, therefore, fulfill the criteria for a family reunification visa. The state department will issue a visa to you as well. Yet, such a process can turn out to be laborious and difficult.
Work Visa (uncertain)
An abundant number of work visas might be granted in unique situations though. Nevertheless, you would face a high level of difficulty trying to get this particular type of visa because of the political situation.
It should be noticed that immigration regulations and practices are constantly evolving, the same information from the Israeli authority’s website. Professionals with immigration backgrounds are advised to prevent possible inaccuracies or obsolete information.
Additional considerations
You should keep in mind:
Security concerns
A situation of the existing political strains between Israel and Lebanon can be a cause for the Lebanese citizens are have difficulty in immigration.
Recommendations
Some of the suggestions include:
Explore alternatives
You could choose another country that be more willing to accept you than the one you are in.
Consult with an immigration lawyer
A middle east immigration lawyer who deals with the Middle East can provide advice on circumstances where an exception may apply but generally, this is rare.
Stay updated
The political situation may change, therefore timely watch out for any evolving policy of the Israeli government towards the people from Lebanon.
Take away
At the moment, the immigration challenge to Israel from Lebanon is quite severe, if not impossible to be solved through common ways. As the subject of immigration is widely studied by other countries, concentrating your research on the solutions in other countries would be a good option.
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