Arrangements of military service

Arrangements Military Service

  • 10/27/2022
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    Handling of matters relating to the Israel Defense Forces

     
    1. The Defense Service Law (Consolidated Version), 5747 - 1986 and the Authority to Implement it Abroad
    The Defense Service Law​ (Consolidated Version), 5747 - 1986 and the authority to implement it abroad applies to all citizens of the State of Israel both in Israel and abroad, even if they have another citizenship, and even if they live permanently abroad. It also applies to permanent residents of Israel, even if they are not Israeli citizens. The obligation of compulsory service applies to every man who is fit to serve, between the ages of 18 and 29, inclusive. However, a person who is past the age of the obligation of compulsory service and did not fulfill his obligation at the time specified in the law, is deemed to be in violation of the law and will be required to serve in the IDF as decided by the IDF authorities.

    2. Registering and establishing military status with the diplomatic / consular representative
    Every citizen / permanent resident of the State of Israel, upon reaching the age of 16, even if he is living or staying abroad for any reason, is obligated by the Defense Service Law to establish his status with the Israel Defense Forces authorities. A person who is designated for defense service, who is called to report under a general call up order, must report in Israel at the place and at the time specified in the order. However, if he is located abroad, he can report to the diplomatic / consular representative at the mission for the purpose of registration. At the time of his registration, he may submit a request to defer the time of reporting to the defense service.
    Registration is implemented by filling out the form Registration and Personal Application of a Person Designated for Defense Service Who is Staying Abroad (click here to download the form Registration and Personal Application of a Person Designated for Defense Service Who is Staying Abroad).
    If the person designated for defense service wishes to defer his service, he must fill out the form Application to Defer Defense Service - Israeli Citizens Staying Abroad (click here to download the form Application to Defer Defense Service).


    The following must be attached to these forms and send to the consular section by email: consular@hague.mfa.gov.il
    1. Application to determine military status​ - can be filled out in English or Hebrew. Please fill both pages out and sign and date at the bottom of the second page.

    2. Photocopies of Israeli passports held by the applicant and the parents (even if expired)

    3. Photocopies of any foreign passports held by the applicant and the parents (valid passports only).

    4. An official letter from the school in which the person designated for defense service is studying, noting the number of years he has been a student there and the number of years remaining until completion of his studies.

    Special cases:
    ​Divorced or separated parents-must come to the consulate section and provide  any legal documents showing which parent has custody of the child(in English). If no such documents exist, please provide an original notarised statement by the parent who has custody of the child. This can be done at a private notary.
    The consulate can only grant exemptions based on residency abroad.

    3. Deferring service and restrictions on visit to Israel
    If a decision is made to defer the service of a person designated for defense service, while he is staying abroad with his parents, the diplomatic / consular representative will explain to him the conditions and restrictions applying to him in everything pertaining to the time frames of his visit to Israel.
     
    For further details see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additional details (in Hebrew) can be obtained on the Israel Defense Forces website​.
     
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