Volunteering for National-Civic Service

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   In brief

   If you received an exemption — for any reason — or were not called up for mandatory IDF service, you can volunteer for national-civic service.

   • The service lasts at least one year.
   • The volunteer year usually begins at the start of September, but in some cases you can begin at a different time. Registration is open throughout the year.
2. 2

   Who is this relevant for?

   • Candidates for military service who received an exemption under the Security Service Law, and those who were not called up for regular service under that law — including members of Arab society.
   • You can volunteer from age 17. If you are not yet 18, you must present written consent from a parent (or guardian).
   • Volunteering can continue up to age 24.
     • If you studied at a special education institution, you can volunteer up to age 27.
     • If you are a mental-health consumer, you can volunteer up to age 27.
   • Volunteers must be permanent residents or citizens of Israel.
   • If you are not an Israeli citizen or permanent resident, you may receive approval to volunteer if all of the following conditions apply to you:

   1. You are entitled to an Oleh visa/Oleh certificate under the Law of Return, or you are participating in the "Masa" programme.
   2. Your status and stay in Israel have been lawfully arranged and allow you to remain for the purpose of completing service lasting at least 12 months.
   3. The service will be carried out in Israel or the area only.
3. 3

   Who to contact

   • If you want to volunteer and meet the conditions above, you can fill in the online National Service / Community Volunteering joining request form on the government services and information website.
     • In the form you enter your personal details and details about the service you want, and you select the volunteering organisation(s) you wish to volunteer through (you can select more than one).
     • After you submit the form, you can update your details if needed, and even change your organisation choice. You can update the form up to 5 times, using a form that will be sent to you by email.
     • The form is sent to all the organisations you selected for a suitability check and placement at a service location.
     • The recognised organisation will continue with the intake process.
   • If you prefer, you can also approach one of the recognised volunteering organisations for national-civic service directly. You can approach more than one volunteering organisation to explore different service options.
   • You can use the National-Civic Service Authority website to find up-to-date information about service locations.
   • For information about dedicated programmes developed for young people with disabilities who want to volunteer, see the national-civic service for young people with disabilities guide.

   *This page covers volunteers for national-civic service who hold an exemption from military service only — not national-civic service for Haredi men.

4. 4

   Assisting bodies

   Government hotlines:

   • Central Government Response (Maaney Memshalt Markazi): phone 1299 | online inquiry
   • Sh"il (Citizens' Advice and Information Service): phone 118