Hebrew Language Studies at an Ulpan for New Olim

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   In brief

   Learning Hebrew is one of the single biggest contributors to an Oleh's successful integration into Israeli society — getting work, dealing with bureaucracy, building community. Two tracks are available with state support:

   1. Ministry of Education public ulpan — free, structured group classes throughout the country.
   2. Voucher Program for private ulpanim — up to ₪5,000 funding for Olim who have completed a public introductory ulpan and want a smaller-group, more flexible format.

   Eligibility for ulpan tuition assistance lasts up to 10 years from your Aliyah date.

2. 2

   Public Ulpan — Ministry of Education

   What is ulpan? A framework for learning Hebrew, jointly run by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Ministry of Education, and the Jewish Agency. Ulpans operate throughout Israel year-round (see the list of ulpans for current programmes); new classes open based on the number of Olim eligible for Hebrew studies in a given area. If there are no local classes available, you'll be referred elsewhere.

   Hours: Several different study programmes. The most popular is the morning ulpan, which generally operates 5 days per week. Other ulpans operate in the evenings.

   Duration: The standard programme is 5 months of study, covering approximately 420–450 hours.

3. 3

   Eligibility for public ulpan

   Age: Olim 17 and over are eligible for ulpan assistance. The benefit is one-time only.

   Tuition assistance window: Olim are eligible for tuition assistance for up to 10 years following Aliyah.

   Verify your personal eligibility at the local branch of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

4. 4

   How to register for public ulpan

   Contact the coordinator at your local Ministry of Aliyah and Integration branch to receive a referral for ulpan. If multiple programmes are available, you may visit them in order to learn more about each before registering.

   You can also submit an application for referral to an ulpan in your personal area (Ezor Ishi) on the MoIA website.

5. 5

   Financial support during public ulpan studies

   • Consultation and referral to the most appropriate ulpan — handled by the Misrad HaKlita coordinator at your local branch.
   • Tuition funding — Olim are exempt from tuition.
   • Living-expense funding — Olim receive Absorption Basket (sal klita) payments during the first half-year after Aliyah, and assured-income payments during the second half-year, while studying at ulpan.
   • Olim starting ulpan after the first year of Aliyah are eligible only for the tuition exemption (no living-expense funding) and should check additional eligibility with Bituach Leumi.
   • Extension of income support: if ulpan aleph study is extended for reasons beyond your control (strike, delay in opening the ulpan, family situations, illness), income support can be extended by up to 2 months. To be eligible, you must commence ulpan study within 2 months of receiving Oleh status and no more than 1 year after.
   • Travel expenses for Olim receiving the Absorption Basket are reimbursed as part of the basket.
6. 6

   Private Ulpan — Voucher Program (after public ulpan)

   Once you've completed a Ministry of Education introductory ulpan (or qualify for an exceptional approval), you can apply for the Voucher Program to study Hebrew at a private ulpan from the Ministry's pre-approved institution database. Private ulpanim run in small groups (up to 12 students) at flexible hours, for 150–200 study hours over up to 8 months.

   Voucher amount: maximum ₪5,000 or the actual cost of the course, whichever is lower.

   Voucher eligibility:

   • Have completed a Ministry of Education introductory ulpan.
   • Fewer than 10 years have passed since receiving Oleh status (or 15 years for Ethiopian, Yemenite, and Bnei Menashe Olim).
   • Minimum age 17 on the date of Aliyah.

   Exceptions (apply via the personal area or your absorption advisor) — Olim within 2 years of Oleh status may request voucher eligibility without having completed a public ulpan if there's: lack of public-ulpan availability locally, a health issue, you're parenting a child aged 0–3, or your work/study/internship hours prevent attendance.

   Levels offered: Aleph (200 hrs, in-person or Zoom, up to 12); Bet 200 hrs (in-person or Zoom, up to 12, placement test); Bet 150 hrs (in-person only, up to 8, placement test). Higher levels (for licensed-profession recognition) are not covered.

   Reimbursement is paid in 2 stages: 50% upon presenting the registration confirmation and receipt; 50% after presenting proof of participation in the final exam and confirmation of at least 80% attendance. Olim over 60 are exempt from the final exam, subject to an attendance certificate.

7. 7

   Useful resources

   • Public Ulpan main page: the source page for everything above about Ministry of Education ulpan.
   • Private Ulpanim Voucher Program: the source page for the voucher track.
   • MoIA Personal Area (Ezor Ishi): for both public ulpan referrals and voucher applications.

   The figures and eligibility rules shown here mirror the gov.il pages at the time of verification. The Ministry can update these — confirm current details with your MoIA absorption advisor or on the gov.il page before relying on them.

8. 8

   Related guides

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

   • Absorption Basket (Sal Klita)
   • Opening a Bank Account
   • Rental Assistance for Olim