Opening a Bank Account

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Important note for Olim families

   For an Olim family where both spouses are listed on the same Te'udat Oleh, or where both have eligibility at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the bank account must be listed in the names of both spouses.

2. 2

   Documents required

   Bring the following to the bank when opening your account:

   • Personal details — first and last name, date of birth, country of birth, identity card number, country of origin
   • Te'udat Oleh (Oleh's certificate)
   • Te'udat Zehut (Israeli identity card) — for those who have already received one
   • Income-tax file number from your country of permanent residence prior to Aliyah — How to obtain your country-of-origin income-tax file number
3. 3

   The opening process

   1. Go to any bank branch of your choice and present the documents listed above.
   2. The bank clerk must sign the bank-account-opening form (the form is in Hebrew).
   3. Bring the signed form to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration so that the Ministry has your account on file for transferring future assistance payments.

   Bank account opening form (Hebrew)
4. 4

   Updating bank account details with the Ministry

   The bank clerk must sign the form for opening a bank account (Hebrew), and you must bring the signed form to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

   It is also possible to provide your bank account details — or to update them later — through the personal account (Ezor Ishi) on the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration's site, without needing to visit a Ministry office in person.

   Form for opening a bank account (Hebrew, MoIA)Personal account (Ezor Ishi) on MoIA
5. 5

   Good to know

   According to the Ministry's experience, the first payments the State deposits into a Oleh's bank account are sometimes returned by the bank because the account is flagged as "inactive."

   To prevent this, make any deposit into the account yourself as soon as it is opened. Even one shekel is enough to mark the account as active.

   * Many banks offer reduced fees or fee exemptions for Olim. As the available benefits vary by bank, it is recommended to inquire directly with your bank about any discounts or special programs and take advantage of those for which you may be eligible.

6. 6

   Related guides

   Other guides in the First-months essentials (Sal Klita ecosystem) series:

   • Absorption Basket (Sal Klita)
   • Rental Assistance for Olim
   • Hebrew Language Studies at an Ulpan for New Olim