In one of my previous articles, I discussed the challenges people in Russia and Ukraine are currently facing. Restrictions are tightening, creating more and more obstacles for leaving the country and increasing pressure on citizens.
In this article, I outlined 5 key ways to avoid being drafted into the army and leaving the country, even if there are restrictions. You can check them out HERE – https://bali-legal.com/en/sposobi-izbezhat-priziv-en.
But right now, the situation in the main post-Soviet countries is continuing to escalate, and I’m hearing more and more reasons why people are being stopped from leaving. For example:
Outstanding debts
Receiving a draft notice from the military office
Closure of air and land borders
Different phases of mobilization
New counter-terrorism operations.
Even previous COVID restrictions gave us a glimpse of how things could go =)
On top of that, new laws are being created where your passport can be confiscated for various violations. This is especially relevant for those who have debts—whether it’s taxes, loans, debts to individuals, or unpaid alimony.
In my own experience, I was once banned from leaving Russia a day before my flight to Istanbul because of supposed alimony debt—which didn’t actually exist. That was the last straw for me. I ended up flying through Minsk and losing the cost of my original tickets.
When my close friend applied for a new passport from Indonesia and was denied because of a debt — caused by scammers — it became crystal clear to me that HAVING A SECOND PASSPORT IS NO LONGER A LUXURY FOR US. IT’S NECESSITY.
But we need to find a country that:
Allows dual citizenship
Offers a high level of free healthcare, quality of life, and education (based on my travel experiences, this is really important)
Has an easy or visa-free entry to most countries (a strong passport)
Provides a quick and legal path to obtaining a passport
Lets you apply without expensive exams or language requirements
Doesn’t demand large investments (a big issue for immigrants)
Does not extradite its citizens (especially relevant for conscripts, as countries like Thailand are now extraditing)
This may seem like an impossible request, but I’ve found a country that fits: Israel.
On what basis can you obtain an Israeli passport?
Through the Repatriation Program, which is based on the Law of Return. Israel welcomes anyone with Jewish ancestry up to the third generation of relatives (and sometimes even up to the fourth, though this is more difficult).
Don’t be quick to close this article if you don’t have close relatives in Israel. We’ve prepared an interesting option for those who don’t have, and never had, any family in Israel. Keep reading until the end for the full step-by-step process.
What Does an Israeli Passport Offer?
Access to top-tier healthcare, partially free for citizens.
Visa-free travel to over 160 countries, including those in the Schengen Area.
Simplified visa access to the U.S., with the possibility of obtaining a 10-year visa.
Minimum wage in Israel is $1,300 USD, ideal for those planning to work.
Low unemployment rate – only about 5% of the population is unemployed.
The ability to start your own business without financial limitations globally. Setting up a company as a citizen is relatively easy, and the banking system is highly developed.
Dual citizenship is allowed, which is useful if you need to travel to countries that are restricted for Israeli citizens (e.g., Iran, Iraq, Indonesia).
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Steps to Obtain Residency and Your First Passport in Israel
TASK 1: Leaving the Country
For many Russians, this can be a challenge due to the reasons mentioned earlier. There are several ways to solve this problem, and you can read about all the options HERE - https://bali-legal.com/en/sposobi-izbezhat-priziv-en.
One effective method is to get a medical invitation to Israel. PREPARE A DOCUMENT PACKAGE to create a request to a medical clinic.
In some specific cases, if you have a more complicated situation regarding travel restrictions, it's best to seek additional consultation about obtaining an Israeli passport - HERE.
Alternatively, you can read the article again about the possibilities for traveling abroad and avoiding military service HERE - https://bali-legal.com/en/sposobi-izbezhat-priziv-en.
TASK 2: Your Arrival in Israel and Hotel Booking
This part seems pretty straightforward. You just need to book a flight and go. Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Israel for stays shorter than 90 days.
To help you estimate your expenses at this stage, I’ll tell you that hotel rates in Israel, especially in Tel Aviv, are not the most budget-friendly compared to Russian prices.
Here are a few examples:
Hostel: starting from $20 per day
Hotel: starting from $100 per day
Apartment for a month: $800 to $1,000.
Considering that the entire process of obtaining residency takes about 1 week to 10 days (that’s the maximum, but you might want to stay a bit longer), you can calculate how much money you will need for accommodation while you wait for your first residency permit in Israel.
TASK 3: Submitting Documents for Residency
Upon your arrival in Israel, on the second day, you will need to visit the migration center (Aliyah) to start the repatriation process. You must provide documents proving that your mother held Israeli nationality (Note: specifically your mother, as this method of repatriation tends to work much better based on our experience). This approach is primarily for those without ethnic roots.
Our specialists will prepare the entire package of documents needed for submission at Aliyah and will send them to you in advance.
Here are the requirements for foreigners wishing to obtain residency in Israel:
No criminal record
Financial stability
No connections to terrorist organizations
Health insurance
Medical examination to confirm the absence of dangerous diseases
After submitting your documents, you will receive your first official document—a residency permit in Israel—within 2 to 3 working days. This will give you the option to obtain an international passport valid for 1, 5, or 10 years (commonly referred to as a "Darcon") or an Israeli citizen passport for international flights (which is a secondary passport, known as "Lesse-Passe").
Both documents can be obtained immediately after the residency is granted, but they differ significantly. We will explore those differences a bit further down.
ATTENTION!!
You can also complete this procedure without leaving Russia, at the Israeli embassy. The only difference is that in Russia, there is a long waiting list that can take 2 to 3 years.
The process of applying directly in Israel with our support is much simpler and faster. Plus, it’s more interesting! =)
TASK 4: Submitting Documents for the Darcon or Lesse-Passe (Obtaining a Passport)
We will assist you until you successfully obtain your residency, and we will help you gather and submit the documents for one of the passports. These passports differ in terms of application rules and usage rights. Here’s a visual comparison of the different Israeli passports.
After obtaining residency, you can apply for an Israeli passport after living in the country for at least 90 days. You will receive a list of required documents from the Israeli Ministry of Interior, and we will assist you in preparing all the necessary paperwork.
Cost of Services for Obtaining Israeli Residency and Passport
The cost for such services ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 per person. In rare cases, you might find options for €2,500, but I personally have not encountered any such offers.
Our document preparation and support until you receive your first passport is just $1,500 per person.
In my opinion, there is no better option for urgently obtaining a second passport or as a backup plan for any developments in the world.
If you need more detailed advice on obtaining a second passport, CONTACT US via TELEGRAM OR WHATSAPP for quick communication.
Together, we will make life on the island comfortable!
