Israeli law has approved two documents that allow a citizen of the country to travel abroad - these are the Lese Passe (or Teudat Maavar) and the Darkon, but the conditions for these passports are different. Learn about the difference between the Lese Passe and the Darkon

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One of the most important stages for repatriates in Israel is obtaining foreign passport. Especially considering that there are two types of passports in the country: Darkon and Lesse-Passe. Each of the documents allows you to travel, but the capabilities and conditions of the passports differ significantly. More about the features and differences of Lesse-Passe and Darkon later in this article.

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History of Israeli foreign passports

From the summer of 2017 to December 2020, all citizens of Israel, including new repatriates, were entitled to receive a Darkon. However, on December 8, 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs adopted a new procedure for issuing passports to repatriates. This news caused a considerable resonance among Israeli expatriates. However, the new procedure is not a reason for panic. For new repatriates, the changes will not have serious consequences.

The main difference between Lesse-Passe and Darkon is the list of countries available for visa-free travel.

What are Lesse-Passe and Darkon passports?

Darkon is a full-fledged foreign passport of a citizen (resident) of Israel, which provides full opportunities for travel and residence abroad.

- Cover color - blue.

- Number of pages - 32.

- Validity period - 5 or 10 years.

- Conditions for obtaining - residence in Israel for at least 1 year is required.

- Visa-free entry - about 160 countries, including the EU, Great Britain, the USA, Canada.

- Conditions for extension - residence in Israel for at least 60% of the time during the validity period of the previous passport is required.

Lesse-Passe (or Teudat Maavar) is a travel document issued to new repatriates or citizens who do not reside in Israel permanently.

- Cover color - red.

- Number of pages - 16.

- Validity period - up to 5 years.

- Conditions for obtaining - can be issued immediately after obtaining citizenship.

- Visa-free entry - about 60 countries, including the EU.

- Extension conditions - no permanent residence requirements for extension. Can be extended at the consular department of the country of residence.

Israeli Darkon passport: features and advantages

Darkon is the main document for traveling outside Israel.

- Advantages of the Darkon passport:

1. Visa-free access to more than 160 countries around the world, including EU countries, the USA (with a ten-year passport), Canada, the UK and others.

2. Long-term validity - 5 or 10 years, which is convenient for those who travel frequently.

3. The ability to receive consular assistance to Israel in any corner of the world.

- Requirements for obtaining a Darkon passport:

Be an Israeli citizen for 1 year, and reside in the country for at least 60% of this time.

- Procedure for obtaining a Darkon passport:

1. Submit an application to the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs.

2. Make sure you have met all requirements, including residence for at least 60% of the time during the previous period of validity of the passport.

- Countries that allow visa-free entry with a Darkon passport:

Austria, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Vanuatu, United Kingdom, Hungary, Haiti, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Germany, Guernsey, Honduras, Hong Kong, Grenada, Greenland, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jersey, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Italy, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Cambodia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Cyprus, Comoros, Colombia, Costa Rica, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, Macedonia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Macau, Martinique, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mozambique, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niue, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Norway, Isle of Man, St. Bartholomew's Island, St. Helena, Cook Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, El Salvador, Samoa, San Marino, Swaziland, Seychelles, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Wallis and Futuna, Uruguay, Faroe Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Philippines, Finland, Falkland Islands, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Jamaica, Japan.

Israeli Lesse-Passe Passport: Features and Benefits

The Lesse-Passe is a travel document issued to Israeli citizens who are not eligible for a Darkon.

- Advantages of the Lesse-Passe passport:

1. Faster processing - the passport can be obtained immediately after repatriation.

2. Visa-free access to about 60 countries, including popular tourist destinations.

3. Flexibility - suitable for those planning temporary trips until the conditions for obtaining a Darkon passport are met.

Important! The Lesse-Passe is less convenient for frequent travel, as it has a limited validity period and less visa-free access.

- Procedure for obtaining a Lesse-Passe passport:

1. Obtain Israeli citizenship.

2. Apply for a temporary document to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

- Countries that allow visa-free entry with a Lesse-Passe passport:

Austria, Albania, Andorra, Aruba, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Honduras, Hong Kong, Grenada, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Colombia, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uruguay, Fiji, Finland, Falkland Islands, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, Japan.

Lesse-Passe and Darkon in Israel: what should a foreigner choose?

The choice between these documents depends on your goals and plans as a foreigner in Israel, as well as the conditions of the move, because it is important to remember that Darkon is not issued to non-residents of Israel under current legislation.

- Darkon will be the best choice for foreigners who wish to travel without visas to most countries of the world and live in Israel permanently. You can get it after a year of living in Israel.

- Lesse-Passe is suitable for foreigners who have just repatriated and do not plan to settle in Israel yet. For this category of citizens, Lesse-Passe will be a temporary solution.

Both passports provide their owners with the opportunity to travel and use the benefits of Israeli citizenship.

Order a consultation with a migration lawyer to ensure a safe move to Israel and understand all the intricacies of the country's citizenship.

Let us remind you! After the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, most of the world's airlines are resuming flights to Israel. We have already told you who will fly to Israel and when, and which airlines are still considering returning flights.

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