Arrangements of military service

Arrangements Of Military Service

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  • 1. The Defence Service Law (Condolidated Version), 5747 - 1986 and the authority to implement it abroad.

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    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

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    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:
    • An official letter from the school in wich the person designated for defense service is studying, noting the number of years he had been a student there and the number of years remaining until completion of his studies.
    • Photocopies of his parents' passports
    • Certification starting that the center of the child's life with his parents is in that country
    Additional details (in Hebrew) can be obtained on the Israel Defense Forces website.

  • 3. Deferring service and restrictions on visit to Israel

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    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.

    Every Israeli citizen must establish their military status from the age of 16 and 4 months and before the age of 19.  

    • Who Can Apply

    ·     Israeli citizens from the age of 16 and 4 months

    ·     Minor Israeli citizens must arrive with one of their parents

     How to Apply

    Adult Israeli citizens must arrive to the Consulate to receive this service.

    Minor Israeli citizens must arrive with one of their parents to the Consulate to receive this service.

    This service cannot be provided by mail.

     (during COVID-19 this service is provided via email/mail only).

    Required Documents to Apply

    ·     Adult Israeli citizens must arrive with an Israeli passport, Laissez-passer, teudat zehut with an updated photo

    ·     Minor Israeli citizens must arrive with both their Israeli document and foreign document, their parent's Israeli document (passport, laissez-passer, teudat zehut, Israeli driver's license with an updated photo)

    ·     Form 7202 filled out, signed by hand and printed (preferable filled out digitally and signed by hand). Download here

    ·       Letter of school supporting the length.

     Additional Documents and Exceptions

    ·     Divorced parents – must attach the divorce agreement with details regarding custody. Divorce agreement must be sealed with an apostille seal given by the US Department of State (further information here)

    ·     Military deferrals from religion purposes – citizen must approach the military's recruitment center in Israel

    ·     Military deferrals for education purposes (high school) – citizen must attach documents from school stating starting date and end date of school. This will be attached to form 7202

    ·     Military deferrals for health purposes – citizen must approach the military's recruitment center in Israel

    Who is Exempted from Arraigning The Military Status   

    ·     Women – Above the age of 26 that don't appear in the Israeli military's system

    ·     Men – Above the age of 35 that don't appear in the Israeli military's system

     Eligibility for a Full Army Exemption

    ·     Men above the age of 26 with a valid deferral, are eligible to apply for a full exemption at the Consulate

    ·     Women above the age of 21 with a valid deferral, are eligible to apply for a full exemption at the Consulate

     Fees

    This service is free of charge.

     Duration of Process

    The Consular officer will accept all the required documents. Accordingly to your eligibility, the consular officer might be able to grant a deferral on the day of your appointment. Please note that some deferrals are bound to the decision of the military authorities in Israel and not the Consulate. This process might take approximately 8 weeks.​