Your first 90 days in Israel: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Registering with a health fund (kupat holim) is an active choice you must make, not an automatic assignment — and the one you pick determines your doctors, clinics and waiting times for years. Ask locally in your specific neighbourhood before choosing, because coverage quality is strongly geographic.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Register with the Population and Immigration Authority — for olim under the Law of Return this is the Aliyah process and the teudat zehut; for others it is a B/1 work visa or A/5 permit
On arrival for olim (the teudat oleh is issued at the airport or an Aliyah centre); work visas must be sponsored and approved before employment starts
The Law of Return is a fundamentally different track from ordinary immigration: it grants near-immediate citizenship and a basket of benefits to those who qualify by Jewish ancestry or conversion. Everyone else goes through employer-sponsored work visas, which are considerably harder.
Get your Teudat Zehut number (national identity number)
It is the universal identifier — health fund, banking, tax, National Insurance, everything — and for olim it is issued essentially on arrival.
Issued by the Population and Immigration Authority; new olim receive it as part of the Aliyah process, and work-visa holders receive a foreign-resident number instead.
Open a bank account
Bank Hapoalim, Leumi and Discount open accounts on the teudat zehut. Olim get dedicated new-immigrant account terms. Israeli banking is expensive by international standards with real monthly fees, and US persons face significant FATCA paperwork — expect to sign W-9s and answer detailed questions.
Enrol in healthcare
Healthcare is universal through four competing HMOs (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) funded by a health tax; you must actively choose and register with one, and new olim are covered from arrival. Coverage is comprehensive and the standard is high; supplementary plans cover dental, private-choice surgeons and overseas treatment.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is valid for one year from entry for new residents; conversion runs through the licensing bureau and typically requires a medical, an eye test and a short practical assessment rather than the full course. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Israel: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Israel?
Register with the Population and Immigration Authority — for olim under the Law of Return this is the Aliyah process and the teudat zehut; for others it is a B/1 work visa or A/5 permit — On arrival for olim (the teudat oleh is issued at the airport or an Aliyah centre); work visas must be sponsored and approved before employment starts. The Law of Return is a fundamentally different track from ordinary immigration: it grants near-immediate citizenship and a basket of benefits to those who qualify by Jewish ancestry or conversion. Everyone else goes through employer-sponsored work visas, which are considerably harder. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Teudat Zehut number and do I need one?
Teudat Zehut number (national identity number) is Israel's personal tax/ID number. It is the universal identifier — health fund, banking, tax, National Insurance, everything — and for olim it is issued essentially on arrival. Issued by the Population and Immigration Authority; new olim receive it as part of the Aliyah process, and work-visa holders receive a foreign-resident number instead.
Can I drive in Israel on a US license?
A foreign licence is valid for one year from entry for new residents; conversion runs through the licensing bureau and typically requires a medical, an eye test and a short practical assessment rather than the full course. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Israel?
Healthcare is universal through four competing HMOs (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) funded by a health tax; you must actively choose and register with one, and new olim are covered from arrival. Coverage is comprehensive and the standard is high; supplementary plans cover dental, private-choice surgeons and overseas treatment. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Israel's system treats foreign residents.